The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected traumatic cervical spine injury who just arrived to the emergency department. The nurse knows the priority actions for caring for this patient include all of the following. Place the actions in order of priority.

Complete a Glasgow Coma Scale assessment.

Apply pressure to any areas of uncontrolled bleeding.

Place an indwelling Foley catheter to monitor urine output.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B,A,C

Choice A reason:

Completing a Glasgow Coma Scale assessment is crucial in evaluating the neurological status of a patient with a suspected traumatic cervical spine injury. However, it should be done after ensuring that there is no uncontrolled bleeding.

Choice B reason:

Applying pressure to any areas of uncontrolled bleeding is the highest priority. Controlling bleeding is essential to prevent hypovolemic shock and maintain hemodynamic stability, which takes precedence over other assessments and interventions.

Choice C reason:

Placing an indwelling Foley catheter to monitor urine output is important for ongoing assessment of renal function and fluid balance. However, it is not the immediate priority compared to controlling bleeding and assessing neurological status.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason:

A temperature of 96.8°F is within the normal range for a human body (97.8°F to 99.1°F). However, it does not necessarily indicate the desired effect of Dopamine. Dopamine is primarily used to improve blood flow and cardiac output, particularly in critically ill patients. Therefore, temperature alone is not a reliable indicator of its effectiveness.

Choice B reason:

Blood pressure of 110/68 mmHg suggests that the Dopamine is effectively maintaining the patient's hemodynamic stability. Dopamine is often used to support blood pressure in patients with hypotension, particularly after spinal cord injuries. Maintaining an adequate blood pressure ensures that vital organs receive sufficient blood flow, which is a key therapeutic goal of Dopamine administration.

Choice C reason:

A respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min is considered normal for an adult (12-20 breaths/min). While normal respiratory rate is a positive sign, it is not a direct measure of Dopamine's effectiveness. Dopamine's primary action is on the cardiovascular system, so a normal respiratory rate alone does not necessarily indicate that the drug is having the desired effect.

Choice D reason:

A heart rate of 70 beats/min is within the normal range for adults (60-100 beats/min). Similar to the respiratory rate, while a normal heart rate is beneficial, it is not a direct indicator of Dopamine's effectiveness. Dopamine's role in improving cardiac output and blood pressure is more critical in assessing its desired effects.

A. It will prepare the gastrointestinal tract for enteral feedings. B. It will increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. C. It will keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning normally. D. It will prevent ulcers from the stress of mechanical ventilation.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:

While preparing the gastrointestinal tract for enteral feedings is important, it is not the primary reason for administering famotidine. Famotidine is typically used to reduce gastric acid production, not to prepare the GI tract for feedings.

Choice B reason:

Increasing the motility of the gastrointestinal tract is not the primary function of famotidine. Famotidine is an H2 receptor antagonist that works by decreasing the production of stomach acid.

Choice C reason:

Keeping the gastrointestinal tract functioning normally is a broad statement and does not specifically address the reason for administering famotidine. The drug's role in preventing stress ulcers is more relevant to the patient's current condition.

Choice D reason:

Famotidine is used to prevent stress ulcers, which can occur in critically ill patients, including those on mechanical ventilation. The stress of illness and mechanical ventilation increases the risk of developing gastric ulcers, and famotidine helps reduce this risk by decreasing gastric acid secretion.

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The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected traumatic cervical spine injury who just arrived to the emergency department. The nurse knows the priority actions for caring for this patient include all of the following. Place the actions in order of priority.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The physician has ordered Dopamine for a patient in the ICU who has suffered a spinal cord injury. The nurse determines that the drug is having the desired effect when the assessment findings are:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client is on mechanical ventilation and the client's spouse wonders why famotidine is needed since the client "only has lung problems." What response by the nurse is best?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

After a craniotomy, the nurse assesses the patient and finds generalized edema, decreased urine output, acute confusion, and muscle weakness. The client has IV fluids running at 75 mL/hr. What action should the nurse take first?

The nurse interprets which finding as an early sign of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a client at risk?

Which assessment of a patient in shock would give the nurse the most valuable information to determine there is adequate tissue perfusion?

A nurse is caring for a client in acute respiratory failure who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following assessments is the best method to determine the effectiveness of the current treatments?

During routine suctioning of a client with an endotracheal tube, the patient becomes diaphoretic and nauseous, and the heart rate decreases to 39 beats/min. What is the nurse's best action at this time?

A nurse is caring for a patient who has a closed-head injury with ICP readings ranging from 16-22 mm Hg. What actions should the nurse take to decrease the potential for raising the client's ICP? Select all that apply.

Which would be the most important action immediately following extubation of a patient?

A nurse assesses a patient who experienced a spinal cord injury at the T5 level 24 hours ago. Which manifestations would the nurse correlate with neurogenic shock? Select all that apply.