Question

which action would the nurse take first when the client arrives at the emergency department after a dog bite involving tearing of skin and deep soft tissue injury

Answer 1

A nurse's first action is to evaluate the dog bite wound, apply initial care like cleaning, and control infection risk. Tetanus and rabies prophylaxis assessment and preparation for physician's evaluation are also immediate steps.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client arrives at the emergency department with a dog bite involving tearing of the skin and deep soft tissue injury, the first action a nurse should take is to ensure patient safety by evaluating the wound and assessing the risk of infection. The nurse must follow standard protocols for managing wound care and infection control.

Initial steps include:

1. Assessing the severity and depth of the wound.
2. Cleaning the wound to remove any debris or bacteria.
3. Applying pressure if there is active bleeding.
4. Assessing the need for tetanus prophylaxis and rabies vaccination.
5. Preparing the patient for further evaluation by a physician, which might include ordering imaging tests or laboratory work.

Assessment for signs of systemic infection or more complicated issues such as necrotizing fasciitis or rabies is crucial, and will guide the subsequent steps in medical care.