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.
The nurse cares for the postop client in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).
Massage is routinely incorporated into the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.
Cranial nerves and their target regions. (Sensory nerves are shown in blue; motor nerves, in red.)
Testing client’s ability to identify sharp sensations
Sensory and Motor Tracts