Author Question: The nurse is driving home after work when he is flagged down by a neighbor in the country who says ... (Read 103 times)

ts19998 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is driving home after work when he is flagged down by a neighbor in the country who says her husband was exposed to mustard gas.

The victim's skin is red and swollen with small blisters, and his eyes are red and tearing. The victim has a runny nose and a dry, barking cough. What should the nurse's initial action be?
a. Have the patient remove his clothes and bathe with soap and water three times.
b. Rush the patient to the emergency department (ED).
c. Ask the wife if anyone in the house is on oxygen.
d. Ask the wife for eye drops and petroleum jelly to prevent the eyes from burning.

Question 2

A patient comes to a clinic with a large, fluid-filled vesicle on his right hand. The nurse practitioner diagnoses cutaneous anthrax and prescribes an antibiotic.

Which statement by the patient demonstrates a need for further teaching by the nurse? I should anticipate
a. being on this antibiotic for 60 days.
b. that the area will be itchy, and I should not scratch it.
c. that the lesion will scab over and fall off within 2 weeks.
d. that I may develop a systemic infection.

Jsherida · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Initial management is rapid decontamination, supportive care, and drug therapy. People exposed to sulfur mustard should undress immediately and wash three times with soap and water.
Rushing the patient to the ED should not be the initial action and may make matters worse, because it prolongs the patient's exposure and exposes all those in the confined vehicle.
Asking the wife for oxygen may be a good idea, but not initially, because the patient does not show any signs of respiratory distress.
Eye drops and petroleum jelly would not be the primary considerations.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient is highly unlikely to develop a systemic infection, because he will be taking an antibiotic. This statement indicates a need for further teaching.
The patient should take the antibiotic for 60 days; no further teaching is required.
The area will be itchy, and the patient should not scratch it: no further teaching is needed.
Seven to 10 days after the onset of symptoms, a black eschar (scablike structure) forms, which dries, loosens, and sloughs off by day 12 to 14; no further teaching is needed.