A patient is brought to the emergency department with physical ...

[DelorasTo]

A patient is brought to the emergency department with physical injuries sustained in a gang fight. The patient's blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, with a pulse of 120 and thready.
 
  Which diagnostic test should the nurse expect to be performed to provide the fastest information?
 
  1. sonogram
  2. complete blood count
  3. urinalysis
  4. serum electrolyte levels

Question 2

The nurse suspects that a patient who was in a motor vehicle crash does not have a cervical spine injury. What did the nurse assess to come to this conclusion?
 
  1. alert without midline cervical tenderness
  2. lacking motor response in lower extremities
  3. lacking deep tendon reflexes
  4. lethargic and confused

[qytan]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

The focused assessment by sonography in trauma, or FAST, identifies blood in body cavities where it is not supposed to be. The primary focus is on the peritoneum. Because the patient was in a fight and has a low blood pressure and thready pulse, this diagnostic test would provide the fastest information. A complete blood count, urinalysis, and serum electrolyte levels would not provide the fastest information for this patient.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

There is a decreased probability of a cervical spine injury if the following criteria are met: absence of midline cervical spine tenderness; normal alertness; absence of intoxication; absence of a painful distracting injury; and no focal neurological deficits. A lack of motor response, lack of deep tendon reflexes, and the presence of lethargy and confusion would be indications of a cervical spine injury.

[DelorasTo]

Thank you

[qytan]

No problemo