The following four patients arrive in the emergency department ...

[joe]

The following four patients arrive in the emergency department (ED) after a motor vehicle collision. In which order should the nurse assess them? (Put a comma and a space between each answer choice A, B, C, D, E.)
 
  a. A 74-year-old with palpitations and chest pain
  b. A 43-year-old complaining of 7/10 abdominal pain
  c. A 21-year-old with multiple fractures of the face and jaw
  d. A 37-year-old with a misaligned left leg with intact pulses

Question 2

When preparing to cool a patient who is to begin therapeutic hypothermia, which intervention will the nurse plan to do (select all that apply)?
 
  a. Assist with endotracheal intubation.
  b. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
  c. Begin continuous cardiac monitoring.
  d. Obtain an order to restrain the patient.
  e. Prepare to give sympathomimetic drugs.

[mariahkathleeen]

Answer to Question 1

ANS:
C, A, B, D
The highest priority is to assess the 21-year-old patient for airway obstruction, which is the most life-threatening injury. The 74-year-old patient may have chest pain from cardiac ischemia and should be assessed and have diagnostic testing for this pain. The 43-year-old patient may have abdominal trauma or bleeding and should be seen next to assess circulatory status. The 37-year-old appears to have a possible fracture of the left leg and should be seen soon, but this patient has the least life-threatening injury.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C
Cooling can produce dysrhythmias, so the patient's heart rhythm should be continuously monitored and dysrhythmias treated if necessary. Bladder catheterization and endotracheal intubation are needed during cooling. Sympathomimetic drugs tend to stimulate the heart and increase the risk for fatal dysrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. Patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia are comatose or do not follow commands so restraints are not indicated.

[joe]

Thank you

[mariahkathleeen]

Happy to help you