Final answer:
The nurse's priority for a patient with a suspected cervical spine fracture is to maintain spinal immobilization and ensure the ABCs are stable. Rapid neurological assessment is vital due to its potential impact on patient outcome. In a critical trauma case with no time to type the patient's blood, O Rh-negative blood is transfused.
Step-by-step explanation:
Priorities in Emergency Nursing Care for Suspected Cervical Spine Fracture
When a patient with a suspected cervical spine fracture is admitted to the emergency room, the nurse's priority is to maintain spinal precautions, including immobilization of the cervical spine. The nurse collaborates with the surgeon, anesthesia professional, and other healthcare team members to ensure the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are stable. Critical assessment of the patient's neurological function is crucial to detect any deficits that could indicate the extent of the spinal injury or compression of the spinal cord.
A rapid assessment of neurological function in an emergency situation is important because it helps in the immediate detection of any complications that may have arisen from the injury. These complications can include loss of motor or sensory functions, which may lead to permanent disability or even be life-threatening.
In the case of a severe trauma with multiple injuries causing severe bleeding, and with no time to determine the victim's blood type, universal donor blood, which is type O Rh-negative blood, is transfused. This blood type is selected because it is compatible with all other blood types, posing the least risk of transfusion reaction while the patient’s blood type is determined.