Which is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of less than 15 minutes?

Choice A reason: Ensuring proper fit of the TLSO is critical to stabilize the spine effectively, preventing further injury. An ill-fitting brace can cause misalignment, pressure sores, or reduced efficacy, as it fails to immobilize the thoracolumbar region, making this a key nursing priority.

Choice B reason: How the patient sleeps with the brace is not a primary nursing priority. While comfort during sleep matters, the TLSO is typically worn as prescribed, and sleep position is secondary to ensuring fit, breathing, education, and skin care, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Monitoring breathing is essential, as a TLSO can restrict chest expansion, potentially reducing tidal volume and causing respiratory distress. Nurses must assess respiratory rate and oxygen saturation to ensure the brace does not compromise ventilation, making this a critical priority.

Choice D reason: Educating the patient and family about the TLSO’s purpose and care ensures compliance and proper use. Understanding how to wear, clean, and adjust the brace prevents complications like skin breakdown or ineffective stabilization, making this a key nursing responsibility.

Choice E reason: Skin integrity is a priority, as prolonged brace use can cause pressure ulcers or irritation. Nurses must inspect skin under the TLSO regularly, ensuring proper padding and hygiene to prevent breakdown, especially in immobile patients, making this a critical care aspect.

Choice A reason: Assessing the need for psychological support is important for patient comfort but not the priority. Preoperative assessment focuses on physical risks to ensure safety, as psychological needs, while relevant, do not directly impact surgical outcomes like complications or mortality.

Choice B reason: Determining understanding of the procedure aids informed consent but is secondary to safety. Misunderstanding does not directly cause intraoperative complications, whereas unidentified risks, like bleeding disorders, can lead to life-threatening outcomes, making risk identification the priority.

Choice C reason: Identifying surgical risks, such as comorbidities or allergies, is the priority, as these directly affect intraoperative safety and outcomes. Conditions like heart disease or coagulopathies increase complications, requiring preoperative mitigation to prevent adverse events, aligning with patient safety principles.

Choice D reason: Recognizing postoperative resources is important for recovery planning but not the priority. Preoperative assessment focuses on immediate surgical risks to ensure safety, as resource needs are addressed post-surgery, making risk identification more critical to prevent intraoperative complications.