Question

A patient's call light goes off. Upon entering, the nurse sees blood oozing out from a wrapped wound. What should the nurse do first?

A. Call the physician on duty.
B. Call another nurse for backup.
C. Figure out what the situation is by removing the bandage.
D. Get another bandage to soak up the bleeding.
E. Amend the care plan.

Answer 1

The nurse should assess the situation by carefully removing the bandage to evaluate the severity of the blood oozing from the wound, and then take the appropriate action based on the assessment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient's call light goes off and upon entering the room, the nurse sees blood oozing out from a wrapped wound, the nurse should first assess the situation by carefully removing the bandage to evaluate the bleeding. Rapid assessment is crucial to determine the source and severity of bleeding. Once identified, the nurse can take appropriate actions, such as applying pressure, repacking or dressing the wound, and if necessary, escalating the situation by calling the physician or getting help. Additionally, after a skin injury, it is important to watch for signs like increased redness, swelling, and pain as they may indicate an infection or complications that could impede the healing process.