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.

Choice A reason:

Mechanical ventilation is not typically required for patients with rib fractures unless there is severe respiratory compromise or other underlying issues that necessitate ventilatory support.

Choice B reason:

Preparing for a chest tube is not generally required for isolated rib fractures unless there is an associated pneumothorax or hemothorax. Chest tubes are used to manage complications that involve air or blood in the pleural space.

Choice C reason:

Needle decompression is performed in emergencies to relieve tension pneumothorax. This procedure is not indicated for simple rib fractures without evidence of a tension pneumothorax.

Choice D reason:

An intercostal nerve block for pain management is an appropriate intervention for a patient with rib fractures. It helps control pain, allowing the patient to breathe deeply and cough effectively, which is important for preventing complications such as pneumonia.

Choice A reason:

Maintaining proper body positioning is important for the overall care of a patient, but it is not the priority in the context of organ donation. The primary focus should be on ensuring the viability of the organs for transplantation.

Choice B reason:

Preventing infection is critical in any clinical setting, particularly in the care of an organ donor, as infections can compromise the quality of the organs. However, it is not the immediate priority action. The most crucial aspect is maintaining organ perfusion to ensure the organs remain viable for transplantation.

Choice C reason:

Maintaining adequate organ perfusion is the priority nursing action in caring for an organ donor. Adequate perfusion ensures that the organs receive sufficient blood flow and oxygen, which is essential for preserving their function until they can be transplanted. This action takes precedence over other considerations to ensure the success of the organ donation process.

Choice D reason:

Avoiding the use of vasopressors is important because they can impact organ perfusion and function. However, if necessary, vasopressors may be used to maintain adequate blood pressure and perfusion. The overall priority remains ensuring adequate perfusion to preserve organ function.