Final answer:
Nurses should assess the injury, monitor vital signs, use imaging for localization, provide wound care, manage pain, and monitor for signs of infection, working together with a healthcare team to ensure comprehensive care for patients with traumatic lower extremity injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse caring for a client with a traumatic injury to a lower extremity should take several important actions. First, they should ensure that the injury is properly assessed and that vital signs are monitored closely. Imagining techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scanning may be used to localize the injury. After diagnosis, the nurse should follow the care plan discussed with the surgeon and anesthesia professional, which may include wound care, pain management, monitoring for signs of infection, and aiding the patient's mobility and functional recovery. In cases like Mark's, immediate attention to wound care is crucial, and for the motorcycle accident victim, understanding sensory deficits is key to planning care.