Question

An emergency department nurse arrives on the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Which client does the nurse attend to first?

1. Alert client with a deformity of the right humerus with neurovascular systems intact distal to the site.
2. Unconscious client with a crushing chest wound.
3. Unconscious client with a regular heart rhythm at 64 bpm with even and unlabored respirations.
4. Alert client with multiple scalp lacerations.

Answer 1

The nurse should attend to the unconscious client with a crushing chest wound first, as this condition poses a high risk of life-threatening complications and requires immediate intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The emergency department nurse should prioritize clients based on the severity and urgency of their conditions. In this scenario, the nurse needs to attend to the client with the most life-threatening injuries first.

1. Alert client with a deformity of the right humerus with neurovascular systems intact distal to the site.
2. Unconscious client with a crushing chest wound.
3. Unconscious client with a regular heart rhythm at 64 bpm with even and unlabored respirations.
4. Alert client with multiple scalp lacerations.

The second client, who is unconscious with a crushing chest wound, would likely be the nurse's priority as this indicates a high likelihood of life-threatening internal injuries and possible complications such as a pneumothorax or hemothorax. This scenario requires immediate attention and intervention to stabilize the patient's condition.