Question

A 23-year-old patient who is suspected of having an epidural hematoma is admitted to the emergency department. Which action will the nurse plan to take?

a. Administer IV furosemide (Lasix).
b. Prepare the patient for craniotomy.
c. Initiate high-dose barbiturate therapy.
d. Type and crossmatch for blood transfusion.

Answer 1

For a patient suspected of having an epidural hematoma, the nurse should plan to prepare the patient for a craniotomy, as it is typically a medical emergency that requires surgical intervention to remove the hematoma and reduce intracranial pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a 23-year-old patient is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected epidural hematoma, the nurse should plan to prepare the patient for craniotomy. This is because an epidural hematoma is typically a medical emergency that requires surgical intervention to remove the blood clot and reduce pressure on the brain. Other options like administering IV furosemide or initiating high-dose barbiturate therapy are not immediate actions for a suspected epidural hematoma. Type and crossmatching for blood transfusion may be necessary, but it is not the first action to take. The priority is to address the hematoma directly, which is likely causing increased intracranial pressure and could lead to severe neurological compromise or death if not treated promptly.