Detailed Answer Key
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted to the emergency department with extensive partial and full-thickness burns
of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the client's care, the nurse should be aware that initially the client is at
greatest risk for
A. airway obstruction.
Rationale: Burns of the head, neck, and chest may involve damage to the pulmonary tree due to heat as
well as smoke and soot inhalation. This can result in severe respiratory difficulty. Nursing
measures to maintain a patent airway should take priority in this client's care.
B. infection.
Rationale: Although prevention of infection is an important aspect of burn care throughout hospitalization
and treatment, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
C. fluid imbalance.
Rationale: Although adequate fluid replacement is an important aspect of burn care throughout the acute
phase of burn treatment, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
D. paralytic ileus.
Rationale: Although paralytic ileus may occur during the acute phase aspect of burn care and may require
nasogastric suctioning, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
2. A nurse in a burn treatment center is caring for a client who is admitted with severe burns to both lower extremities
and is pending an escharotomy. The client's spouse asks the nurse what the procedure entails. Which of the
following nursing statements is appropriate?
A. "Large incisions will be made in the eschar to improve circulation."
Rationale: An escharotomy is a surgical incision made to release pressure and improve circulation in a part
of the body that has a deep burn and is experiencing excessive swelling. Burn injuries that
encircle a body part, such as an arm or the chest, can cause swelling and tightness in the
affected area, resulting in reduced circulation. Making surgical incisions into the burned tissue
allows the skin to expand, reduces tightness and pressure, and improves circulation.
B. "I can call the doctor back here if you want me to."
Rationale: This is a nontherapeutic response that defers the client's concern and puts it on hold.
C. "A piece of skin will be removed and grafted over the burned area."
Rationale: A surgical procedure in which a piece of skin from one area of the client's body is transplanted to
another area is called a skin graft.
D. "Dead tissue will be surgically removed."
Rationale: Debridement is the surgical removal of dead tissue.
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 1
, Detailed Answer Key
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
3. A group of college students was attending a weekend football rally when one of the students stumbled and fell into
the bonfire. Although several friends quickly intervened, the client sustained partial-thickness burns to both lower
legs, chest, and both forearms. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when the client is brought into
the emergency room?
A. Cover the burned area with sterile gauze.
Rationale: Infection is one of the leading causes of death with burn injuries. Because the integrity of the
skin is breeched, it is vital to cover all burned areas with sterile gauze; however, this is not the
priority concern at this time.
B. Inspect mouth for signs of inhalation injuries.
Rationale: Since the client sustained burns to the chest, there is a possibility that flames and smoke from
the client's burning clothes could have caused an inhalation injury. The nurse should inspect the
mouth and throat for soot and swelling. Using the airway, breathing, circulation (ABC)
priority-setting framework, this is the priority concern at this time.
C. Administer intravenous pain medication.
Rationale: Because of the large percentage of burned area, this client will experience high levels of pain,
since partial-thickness burns expose fragile nerve endings. Large doses of intravenous
morphine or other narcotic analgesics will likely be needed for adequate pain control. Despite
the fact that pain is an important issue, it is not the priority concern at this time.
D. Draw blood for a complete blood cell (CBC) count.
Rationale: Burn injuries, such as this one, that exceed 20% of body surface area are considered major
burns, which affect the client’s metabolism, hemodynamic balance, and immune system. In the
early stage of burns, increased capillary permeability allows sodium to enter cells while
potassium leaks out, resulting in hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. An altered osmotic gradient
and loss of intravascular fluid causes elevated hematocrit levels. Initial lab studies are important
to create a baseline because of these systemic effects of burns. Those labs would include a
CBC, electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, and blood glucose. While it is important to establish baseline
data, it is not the priority concern at this time.
4. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has burns on the front and back of both his legs and
arms. Using the rule of nines the nurse should document burns to which percentage of the client’s total body
surface area (TBSA)?
A. 9 percent
Rationale: Each arm represents 9% of the client’s TBSA.
B. 18 percent
Rationale: Each leg represents 18% of the client’s TBSA.
C. 36 percent
Rationale: Both legs represent 36% of the client’s TBSA.
D. 54 percent
Rationale:
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 2
, Detailed Answer Key
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
Each arm represents 9% of the client’s TBSA and each leg represents 18% of the client’s TBSA
totalling 54%.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has full-thickness burns all over 75% of his body. Which of the following methods
is appropriate to accurately monitor the cardiovascular system?
A. Auscultate cuff blood pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area often do not have an area for
the nurse to safely apply the cuff. Additionally, cuff blood pressures are affected by peripheral
vascular changes.
B. Palpate pulse pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. Palpation of pulse pressure does not provide data to detect subtle changes
in the cardiovascular system.
C. Obtain a central venous pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. The central venous pressure provides important data but does not
accurately detect changes in left heart pressure.
D. Monitor the pulmonary artery pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. The pulmonary artery pressure provides an accurate assessment of the
cardiovascular system by detecting changes in left heart pressure which can detect possible
development of pulmonary edema.
6. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is rehabilitating from major burns. Which of the following should
the nurse include to provide emotional support?
A. Assign assistive personnel to keep his room neat and clean.
Rationale: This intervention is important for infection control but does not address the client’s need for
emotional support.
B. Rotate nursing staff so he can have varied interactions.
Rationale: This intervention inhibits the development of a trusting, nurse-client relationship which is an
important component of providing emotional support.
C. Talk with him during wound care.
Rationale: Talking with the client while providing care assists in the development of the nurse-client
relationship and demonstrates caring.
D. Keep family members aware of his condition.
Rationale:
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 3
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted to the emergency department with extensive partial and full-thickness burns
of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the client's care, the nurse should be aware that initially the client is at
greatest risk for
A. airway obstruction.
Rationale: Burns of the head, neck, and chest may involve damage to the pulmonary tree due to heat as
well as smoke and soot inhalation. This can result in severe respiratory difficulty. Nursing
measures to maintain a patent airway should take priority in this client's care.
B. infection.
Rationale: Although prevention of infection is an important aspect of burn care throughout hospitalization
and treatment, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
C. fluid imbalance.
Rationale: Although adequate fluid replacement is an important aspect of burn care throughout the acute
phase of burn treatment, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
D. paralytic ileus.
Rationale: Although paralytic ileus may occur during the acute phase aspect of burn care and may require
nasogastric suctioning, there is a greater initial priority for this client.
2. A nurse in a burn treatment center is caring for a client who is admitted with severe burns to both lower extremities
and is pending an escharotomy. The client's spouse asks the nurse what the procedure entails. Which of the
following nursing statements is appropriate?
A. "Large incisions will be made in the eschar to improve circulation."
Rationale: An escharotomy is a surgical incision made to release pressure and improve circulation in a part
of the body that has a deep burn and is experiencing excessive swelling. Burn injuries that
encircle a body part, such as an arm or the chest, can cause swelling and tightness in the
affected area, resulting in reduced circulation. Making surgical incisions into the burned tissue
allows the skin to expand, reduces tightness and pressure, and improves circulation.
B. "I can call the doctor back here if you want me to."
Rationale: This is a nontherapeutic response that defers the client's concern and puts it on hold.
C. "A piece of skin will be removed and grafted over the burned area."
Rationale: A surgical procedure in which a piece of skin from one area of the client's body is transplanted to
another area is called a skin graft.
D. "Dead tissue will be surgically removed."
Rationale: Debridement is the surgical removal of dead tissue.
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 1
, Detailed Answer Key
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
3. A group of college students was attending a weekend football rally when one of the students stumbled and fell into
the bonfire. Although several friends quickly intervened, the client sustained partial-thickness burns to both lower
legs, chest, and both forearms. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when the client is brought into
the emergency room?
A. Cover the burned area with sterile gauze.
Rationale: Infection is one of the leading causes of death with burn injuries. Because the integrity of the
skin is breeched, it is vital to cover all burned areas with sterile gauze; however, this is not the
priority concern at this time.
B. Inspect mouth for signs of inhalation injuries.
Rationale: Since the client sustained burns to the chest, there is a possibility that flames and smoke from
the client's burning clothes could have caused an inhalation injury. The nurse should inspect the
mouth and throat for soot and swelling. Using the airway, breathing, circulation (ABC)
priority-setting framework, this is the priority concern at this time.
C. Administer intravenous pain medication.
Rationale: Because of the large percentage of burned area, this client will experience high levels of pain,
since partial-thickness burns expose fragile nerve endings. Large doses of intravenous
morphine or other narcotic analgesics will likely be needed for adequate pain control. Despite
the fact that pain is an important issue, it is not the priority concern at this time.
D. Draw blood for a complete blood cell (CBC) count.
Rationale: Burn injuries, such as this one, that exceed 20% of body surface area are considered major
burns, which affect the client’s metabolism, hemodynamic balance, and immune system. In the
early stage of burns, increased capillary permeability allows sodium to enter cells while
potassium leaks out, resulting in hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. An altered osmotic gradient
and loss of intravascular fluid causes elevated hematocrit levels. Initial lab studies are important
to create a baseline because of these systemic effects of burns. Those labs would include a
CBC, electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, and blood glucose. While it is important to establish baseline
data, it is not the priority concern at this time.
4. A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has burns on the front and back of both his legs and
arms. Using the rule of nines the nurse should document burns to which percentage of the client’s total body
surface area (TBSA)?
A. 9 percent
Rationale: Each arm represents 9% of the client’s TBSA.
B. 18 percent
Rationale: Each leg represents 18% of the client’s TBSA.
C. 36 percent
Rationale: Both legs represent 36% of the client’s TBSA.
D. 54 percent
Rationale:
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 2
, Detailed Answer Key
RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1
Each arm represents 9% of the client’s TBSA and each leg represents 18% of the client’s TBSA
totalling 54%.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has full-thickness burns all over 75% of his body. Which of the following methods
is appropriate to accurately monitor the cardiovascular system?
A. Auscultate cuff blood pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area often do not have an area for
the nurse to safely apply the cuff. Additionally, cuff blood pressures are affected by peripheral
vascular changes.
B. Palpate pulse pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. Palpation of pulse pressure does not provide data to detect subtle changes
in the cardiovascular system.
C. Obtain a central venous pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. The central venous pressure provides important data but does not
accurately detect changes in left heart pressure.
D. Monitor the pulmonary artery pressure.
Rationale: Clients who have a large percentage of burned body surface area require critical care and
accurate monitoring. The pulmonary artery pressure provides an accurate assessment of the
cardiovascular system by detecting changes in left heart pressure which can detect possible
development of pulmonary edema.
6. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is rehabilitating from major burns. Which of the following should
the nurse include to provide emotional support?
A. Assign assistive personnel to keep his room neat and clean.
Rationale: This intervention is important for infection control but does not address the client’s need for
emotional support.
B. Rotate nursing staff so he can have varied interactions.
Rationale: This intervention inhibits the development of a trusting, nurse-client relationship which is an
important component of providing emotional support.
C. Talk with him during wound care.
Rationale: Talking with the client while providing care assists in the development of the nurse-client
relationship and demonstrates caring.
D. Keep family members aware of his condition.
Rationale:
Created on:04/06/2018 Page 3
