Question

A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an older adult client who has a fractured wrist following a fall. During the assessment, the client states Last week I crashed my car because my vision suddenly became blurry. Which of the following actions is the nurses priority?

(A) Immobilize the fractured wrist.
(B) Obtain further information about the blurry vision.
(C) Provide pain medication.
(D) Discharge the client with instructions to follow up with their primary care provider.

Answer 1

The nurse's priority should not be immediate discharge, but further assessment and collaboration with the healthcare team due to the client's symptoms of sudden vision changes and a car-related accident.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse in an emergency department is assessing an older adult client with a fractured wrist, who also reports recent vision problems and a vehicle crash, the priority should not be to discharge the client. Instead, the client's report of sudden vision changes leading to a car crash warrants immediate assessment for potential underlying health issues. These issues could range from eye diseases to neurological disorders, or even cardiovascular problems that may manifest as vision disturbances.

It is imperative for the nurse to actively collaborate as part of the healthcare team to ensure proper and comprehensive care. The nurse, surgeon, and anesthesia professional should review the key concerns for the patient's recovery and care, possibly suggesting additional assessments or specialist consultations given the client's symptoms. Sudden visual changes coupled with a serious event like a car accident suggest a matter that requires urgent attention and could pose a significant risk to the client and others if not addressed promptly.