which of the following injuries if demonstrated by a client entering the emergency department is the highest priority
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Nursing Elites

NCLEX-PN

NCLEX-PN Quizlet 2023

1. Which of the following injuries, if demonstrated by a client entering the Emergency Department, is the highest priority?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A stab wound to the chest might result in lung collapse and mediastinal shift that, if untreated, could lead to death. Treatment of an obstructed airway or a chest wound is a higher priority than hemorrhage. The principle of ABC (airway, breathing, and circulation) prioritizes care decisions. In this scenario, the stab wound to the chest poses the highest risk to the client's life as it can lead to severe complications such as lung collapse and mediastinal shift. Addressing this injury promptly is crucial to prevent further harm or potential fatality. Open leg fracture, open head injury, and traumatic amputation of a thumb, while serious, do not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to a stab wound to the chest.

2. What is the best lab test to diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The best lab test to diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is the D-dimer test. In DIC, numerous small clots form throughout the body and are rapidly broken down. D-dimer measures a specific fibrin split product and is the most specific test for DIC. Platelet count (Choice A) is decreased in DIC due to consumption, but it is not specific for diagnosing DIC. Prothrombin time (PT - Choice B) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT - Choice C) are both elevated in DIC because clotting factors have been used up, but they are not specific for DIC as they can be elevated in other conditions as well.

3. Which client should be seen first by the Emergency Department nurse?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority in the emergency department is to assess and manage clients based on the severity of their condition. In this scenario, the three-year-old with wheezes in the right lower lobe should be seen first because respiratory distress takes precedence over other conditions. Wheezing indicates potential airway compromise, which requires immediate attention to ensure adequate oxygenation. The other options are important but do not pose an immediate threat to the client's airway and breathing. A femur fracture, fever, or a dislodged gastrostomy tube can be addressed after ensuring the child with respiratory distress is stable.

4. Which of the following microorganisms is easily transmitted from client to client on the hands of healthcare workers?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus microorganisms are ubiquitous and easily transmitted by healthcare workers who fail to conduct routine hand washing between clients. Staphylococcus aureus can reside on the skin and be transferred from one client to another if proper hand hygiene is not practiced. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mainly transmitted through the airborne route, clostridium tetani is usually acquired through exposure to soil or dirt contaminated with tetanus spores, and human immunodeficiency virus is not easily transmitted through casual contact or on the hands of healthcare workers.

5. Why is it often necessary to draw a complete blood count and differential (CBC/differential) when a client is being treated with an antiepileptic drug (AED)?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client is being treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), it is essential to monitor for potential side effects on blood parameters. Some AEDs can lead to blood dyscrasia, which includes conditions like aplastic anemia and megaloblastic anemia. Therefore, drawing a complete blood count and differential helps in identifying these adverse effects early. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the primary concern when monitoring blood parameters in clients on AEDs is the risk of blood dyscrasia, not changes in hematocrit due to vascular volume, white blood cell reduction, or immune modulation.

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