Question

The nurse is caring for a trauma patient who has just arrived to the emergency room. The nurse listens to the patient's lung sounds, palpates the patient's peripheral pulses, and obtains vital signs. What is the best description of the nurse's actions?

Answer 1

The nurse's actions can be best described as performing an initial assessment of the trauma patient. By listening to the patient's lung sounds, palpating peripheral pulses, and obtaining vital signs, the nurse gathers important information about the patient's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's actions can be best described as performing an initial assessment of the trauma patient. By listening to the patient's lung sounds, palpating peripheral pulses, and obtaining vital signs, the nurse is gathering important information about the patient's condition. This assessment helps to identify any abnormalities or potential issues that need to be addressed.

For example, listening to lung sounds can reveal crackling sounds or abnormal breath sounds, which could indicate lung pathology like pneumonia. Palpating peripheral pulses can help assess circulation and detect any irregularities. Obtaining vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, provides an overall picture of the patient's baseline health and any immediate concerns.

Based on these assessments, the nurse can communicate findings to other healthcare professionals and initiate appropriate interventions or further diagnostic tests as needed.