When a patient arrives in the emergency department with a facial ...

[strangeaffliction]

When a patient arrives in the emergency department with a facial fracture, which action will the nurse take first?
 
  a. Assess for nasal bleeding and pain.
  b. Apply ice to the face to reduce swelling.
  c. Use a cervical collar to stabilize the spine.
  d. Check the patient's alertness and orientation.

Question 2

Which information obtained by the nurse about a 29-year-old patient with a lumbar vertebral compression fracture is most important to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. Patient refuses to be turned due to back pain.
  b. Patient has been incontinent of urine and stool.
  c. Patient reports lumbar area tenderness to palpation.
  d. Patient frequently uses oral corticosteroids to treat asthma.

[joshbk44]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Patients who have facial fractures are at risk for cervical spine injury and should be treated as if they have a cervical spine injury until this is ruled out. The other actions are also necessary, but the most important action is to prevent cervical spine injury.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Changes in bowel or bladder function indicate possible spinal cord compression and should be reported immediately because surgical intervention may be needed. The other findings are also pertinent but are consistent with the patient's diagnosis and do not require immediate intervention.

[strangeaffliction]

TYSM

[LVPMS]

Excellent