A patient who was burned in a workplace accident has completed the acute phase of treatment and the plan of care has been altered to prioritize rehabilitation. What nursing action should be prioritized during this phase of treatment?
- A. Monitoring fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- B. Providing education to the patient and family
- C. Treating infection
- D. Promoting thermoregulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Education for the patient and family is a priority in the rehabilitation phase to support self-care and adjustment. Fluid imbalances, infection, and thermoregulation are addressed in the acute phase.
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A home care nurse is performing a visit to a patients home to perform wound care following the patients hospital treatment for severe burns. While interacting with the patient, the nurse should assess for evidence of what complication?
- A. Psychosis
- B. Post-traumatic stress disorder
- C. Delirium
- D. Vascular dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common complication in burn survivors, with a high prevalence due to the traumatic nature of the injury. Psychosis, delirium, and dementia are not typical.
An emergency department nurse has just received a patient with burn injuries brought in by ambulance. The paramedics have started a large-bore IV and covered the burn in cool towels. The burn is estimated as covering 24% of the patients body. How should the nurse best address the pathophysiologic changes resulting from major burns during the initial burn-shock period?
- A. Administer IV fluids
- B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
- C. Administer IV potassium chloride
- D. Administer packed red blood cells
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IV fluid administration is critical to address massive fluid losses and prevent hypovolemic shock in the initial burn-shock period. Antibiotics, potassium, or PRBCs are not immediate priorities.
A nurse who is taking care of a patient with burns is asked by a family member why the patient is losing so much weight. The patient is currently in the intermediate phase of recovery. What would be the nurses most appropriate response to the family member?
- A. Hes on a calorie-restricted diet in order to divert energy to wound healing.
- B. His body has consumed his fat deposits for fuel because his calorie intake is lower than normal.
- C. He actually hasnt lost weight. Instead, theres been a change in the distribution of his body fat.
- D. He lost many fluids while he was being treated in the emergency phase of burn care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypermetabolism in the acute phase causes significant weight loss as the body catabolizes fat reserves, despite increased nutritional support. Calorie restriction is not used, fluid loss is earlier, and fat distribution changes are not typical.
A patient who is in the acute phase of recovery from a burn injury has yet to experience adequate pain control. What pain management strategy is most likely to meet this patients needs?
- A. A patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system
- B. Oral opioids supplemented by NSAIDs
- C. Distraction and relaxation techniques supplemented by NSAIDs
- D. A combination of benzodiazepines and topical anesthetics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PCA allows the patient to control parenteral opioid delivery, providing consistent relief for severe burn pain. Oral medications, distraction, or benzodiazepines alone are insufficient for acute burn pain.
A patient is brought to the emergency department with a burn injury. The nurse knows that the first systemic event after a major burn injury is what?
- A. Hemodynamic instability
- B. Gastrointestinal hypermotility
- C. Respiratory arrest
- D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hemodynamic instability occurs first due to capillary leakage, causing fluid shifts and hypovolemia. GI hypermotility, respiratory arrest, or hypokalemia are not initial events.
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