Final answer:
A nurse is developing a care plan for a client recovering from a serious thermal burn. After maintaining respirations, the nurse knows that the most important immediate goal of therapy is: maintaining the client's fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance (Option C).
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is aware that maintaining respirations is crucial when caring for a client recovering from a serious thermal burn.
However, after ensuring that respirations are stable, the most important immediate goal of therapy is: maintaining the client's fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
This priority is due to the potential massive loss of fluid leading to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure, which can be life-threatening.
The nurse must administer intravenous fluids and nutrients to counteract dehydration, repair tissues, and replace lost proteins.
Furthermore, careful observation and regulation of fluid intake and output, the administration of intravenous fluids, and monitoring for signs of infection are integral to the patient's care plan.
While providing emotional support and planning for rehabilitation and discharge are also important components of burn care and therapy, they come subsequent to resolving any immediate life-threatening issues and stabilizing the patient's condition.
Fostering the return of full range of motion in affected joints, along with developing an appropriate physical therapy plan, although necessary for long-term recovery, are not prioritized above ensuring the patient's physiological stability after an acute burn injury.
Hence, the correct answer is Option C.