A teenage client is brought into the emergency department with ...

[oliviahorn72]

A teenage client is brought into the emergency department with injuries sustained from a motor vehicle accident. Which of the following should the nurse ensure for this client?
 
  1. Stabilization of the neck and spinal cord
   2. An adequate urine output
   3. Stable blood pressure
   4. Intravenous access line

Question 2

An elderly client is admitted with fractured femurs sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Once the client is stabilized, which of the following should the nurse assess in this client?
 
  1. Blood pressure
   2. The client's accident history
   3. Need for assistance once discharged to home
   4. Car insurance carrier

[Sierray]

Answer to Question 1

1. Stabilization of the neck and spinal cord

Rationale:
Since the three major risk factors for spinal cord injuries are age, gender, and alcohol or drug abuse, the nurse should ensure that the client's neck and spinal cord are stabilized. Assessment of urine output can be delayed. Assessing blood pressure is an intervention for all clients brought into the emergency department. An intravenous access line is necessary, but the stabilization of the neck and spinal cord is of first priority.

Answer to Question 2

2. The client's accident history

Rationale:
The client is elderly and has sustained severe injuries from a motor vehicle accident. This is a leading cause of death of elderly clients in the United States. The nurse needs to find out if this is the client's first motor vehicle accident since the client might need to relinquish his driver's license after a medical review of driving privileges. The nurse should assess the client's blood pressure and need for assistance once discharged to home; however, these interventions are not a priority. The nurse does not need to know the car insurance carrier.

[oliviahorn72]

Thanks

[Sierray]

Welcome