Question

Children from a school bus accident are transferred to the hospital emergency department. Which client does the nurse see first?

1. A child with a superficial burn to the arm.
2. A child with burns on the face.
3. A child with small lacerations to the arms and legs.
4. A child reporting elbow pain.

Answer 1

2. A child with burns on the face. The nurse should see the child with burns on the face first, as this injury can potentially compromise the child's airway, breathing, and vision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When prioritizing which client to see first in a situation like this, the nurse should prioritize based on the severity and urgency of the injuries. In this case, the child with burns on the face should be seen first. Burns on the face can potentially compromise the child's airway, breathing, and vision, making it a priority to assess and treat.

The child with a superficial burn to the arm can be seen next, as this is a less severe injury and can be treated with basic first aid measures.

The child with small lacerations to the arms and legs can be seen after the other two clients, as small lacerations are typically not life-threatening.

The child reporting elbow pain can be seen last, as this complaint is not an immediate concern in comparison to burns and lacerations.