RN 231 Quiz 4_Cloned_Assessment 1

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%