The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client with multiple injuries following a motor vehicle crash. The client lost consciousness. has an open fracture of the left tibia, and active bleeding at the fracture site. What is the priority nursing action?
Prepare for immediate surgery to repair the open fracture
Assess for pulses in the upper and lower extremities
Place a sterile pressure dressing on the open fracture
Maintain C-spine immobilization
The Correct Answer is D
A. Prepare for immediate surgery to repair the open fracture
Surgery may be necessary, but it is not the immediate priority. The focus should be on stabilizing the client and preventing further injury.
B. Assess for pulses in the upper and lower extremities
Assessing circulation is important but is not the most immediate life-saving intervention. First, the client must be stabilized and bleeding controlled.
C. Place a sterile pressure dressing on the open fracture
While controlling bleeding is important, spinal immobilization takes precedence in trauma cases to prevent potential spinal cord injury.
D. Maintain C-spine immobilization
In a trauma patient with loss of consciousness, cervical spine injury must be assumed. Immobilization prevents further damage while other interventions are performed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Gently cleanse the wounds with warm soapy water
Initial burn care focuses on preventing hypothermia and infection. Cleaning is usually performed in a controlled setting like a burn unit, not in the emergency phase.
B. Remove blistered skin and cover with a dry dressing
Blisters should not be removed in the initial phase unless they are large and tense. Removal increases the risk of infection.
C. Apply saline-soaked wet-to-dry dressings
Wet dressings can lead to hypothermia in burn patients, which worsens outcomes. Dry coverings are preferred.
D. Cover with a clean dry sheet to prevent hypothermia
Burn patients lose heat rapidly due to loss of skin integrity. Covering with a clean, dry sheet helps prevent hypothermia and infection before transfer.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Control dysrhythmias and decrease the heart rate
Controlling dysrhythmias is important, but decreasing heart rate is not always the goal, as a compensatory tachycardia may be necessary for perfusion.
B. Decrease cardiac workload and increase systemic perfusion
Cardiogenic shock results from impaired cardiac output. The goal is to reduce the heart’s workload (e.g., by reducing afterload) while improving systemic perfusion.
C. Improve oxygen exchange and decrease urinary output
Oxygenation is important, but decreased urinary output indicates poor renal perfusion and worsening shock, which is not a goal of treatment.
D. Decrease the blood pressure and respiratory rate
In cardiogenic shock, blood pressure is already low. The goal is to maintain adequate perfusion, not to further reduce BP.
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