NCLEX RN Practice Questions Exam Cram Related

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A patient presents to the office with a pencil that has completely penetrated the palm of her hand. Which of the following treatments would be BEST in this situation?

  • A. Assist the doctor while he sedates the patient and removes the pencil from her hand.
  • B. Have the patient gently pull the pencil out of her hand and assist the physician with stitches.
  • C. Wrap a gauze around the pencil, securing it as much as possible until the patient can get to a local emergency room.
  • D. Tell the patient to go to the local emergency room. With a doctor's order, give the patient some aspirin for the pain.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Penetrating wounds that leave an object behind may have damaged important blood vessels. Removing the object may lead to significant bleeding. The correct approach is to gently wrap the wound with the object in place to help control bleeding and prevent further injury. The patient should be taken promptly to the nearest emergency room where healthcare professionals can safely and appropriately remove the object and provide necessary treatment. Choice A is incorrect because removing the pencil without proper medical evaluation can worsen the injury. Choice B is incorrect because pulling out the object can cause additional damage and bleeding. Choice D is incorrect because giving aspirin without knowing the extent of the injury and causing potential drug interactions can be harmful.