Author Question: An employee spills industrial acids on both arms and legs at work. What is the priority action that ... (Read 47 times)

jessicacav · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

An employee spills industrial acids on both arms and legs at work. What is the priority action that the occupational health nurse at the facility should take?

a. Remove nonadherent clothing and watch.
b. Apply an alkaline solution to the affected area.
c. Place cool compresses on the area of exposure.
d. Cover the affected area with dry, sterile dressings.

Question 2

A patient who has burns on the arms, legs, and chest from a house fire has become agitated and restless 8 hours after being admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Stay at the bedside and reassure the patient.
b. Administer the ordered morphine sulfate IV.
c. Assess orientation and level of consciousness.
d. Use pulse oximetry to check the oxygen saturation.

akpaschal · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
With chemical burns, the initial action is to remove the chemical from contact with the skin as quickly as possible. Remove nonadherent clothing, shoes, watches, jewelry, glasses, or contact lenses (if face was exposed). Flush chemical from wound and surrounding area with copious amounts of saline solution or water. Covering the affected area or placing cool compresses on the area will leave the chemical in contact with the skin. Application of an alkaline solution is not recommended.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Agitation in a patient who may have suffered inhalation injury might indicate hypoxia, and this should be assessed by the nurse first. Administration of morphine may be indicated if the nurse determines that the agitation is caused by pain. Assessing level of consciousness and orientation is also appropriate but not as essential as determining whether the patient is hypoxemic. Reassurance is not helpful to reduce agitation in a hypoxemic patient.