Question

The client has a penetrating wound to the anterior upper right chest. The client is alert and oriented with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15. The client's shirt is covered with bright red blood. The client reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. Shortness of breath is noted.

A) The client's shirt is covered with pale pink blood.
B) The client's shirt is covered with dark brown blood.
C) The client should be placed in a supine position immediately.
D) The client should be placed in a prone position immediately.

Answer 1

A patient with a chest wound should be managed carefully, avoiding supine or prone positions that could worsen their condition. If cardiac arrest occurs, understanding the correct CPR technique is critical to patient survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with a penetrating wound to the anterior upper right chest, exhibiting bright red bleeding, shortness of breath, and pain is experiencing a serious medical emergency. Given these symptoms, it is important that first aid and medical intervention are provided promptly. It is critical to maintain the patient in a position that allows for optimal breathing and prevent further injury. Therefore, positions such as supine or prone may not be indicated as they could exacerbate breathing difficulties or the injury itself, particularly if the penetrating object is still in place. In cases of severe trauma where CPR may be needed, it is essential to understand the CPR technique, where compressions are given to the sternum between T4 and T9 to maintain blood circulation until professional medical help is available or the heart resumes beating. In the case of a trauma patient who is alert and oriented, CPR would not be appropriate unless they have a cardiac arrest.