Which of the following frequencies of multiple-dressing method burn treatment dressing changes should the nurse should question?
- A. Every 6 hours
- B. Every 12 hours
- C. Once a day
- D. Once a week
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These dressings are changed at various intervals, from every 12 to 24 hours to once every 14 days, depending on the product. However, the dressing should not be changed 6 hours from application.
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After receiving change-of-shift report, which of the following patients should the nurse assess first?
- A. A patient with 40% total body surface area (TBSA) burns who is receiving IV fluids at 500 mL/hour
- B. A patient with smoke inhalation who has wheezes and altered mental status
- C. A patient with full-thickness leg burns who has a dressing change scheduled
- D. A patient with abdominal burns who is complaining of level 8 (0-10 scale) pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This patient has evidence of lower airway injury and hypoxemia and should be assessed immediately to determine need for oxygen or intubation. The other patients also should be assessed as rapidly as possible, but they do not have evidence of life-threatening complications.
The nurse is admitting a patient to the burn unit who has burns to the upper body and head after a garage fire. Initially, wheezes are heard, but an hour later, the lung sounds are decreased and no wheezes are audible. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement first?
- A. Encourage the patient to cough and ausculate the lungs again.
- B. Notify the health care provider and prepare for endotracheal intubation.
- C. Document the results and continue to monitor the patient's respiratory rate.
- D. Reposition the patient in high-Fowler's position and reassess breath sounds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's history and clinical manifestations suggest airway edema and the health care provider should immediately be notified so that intubation can rapidly be done. Placing the patient in a more upright position or having the patient cough will not address the problem of airway edema. Continuing to monitor is inappropriate because immediate action should occur.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has burns over 30% of the body surface. Which of the following events indicates that the patient has moved from the emergent to the acute phase of the burn injury?
- A. White blood cell levels decrease.
- B. Blisters and edema have subsided
- C. The patient has large quantities of pale urine.
- D. The patient has been hospitalized for 48 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At the end of the emergent phase, capillary permeability normalizes and the patient begins to diurese large amounts of urine with a low specific gravity. Although this may occur at about 48 hours, it may be longer in some patients. Blisters and edema begin to resolve, but this process requires more time. White blood cells may increase or decrease, based on the patient's immune status and any infectious processes.
The nurse is assessing a patient who spilled hot oil on the right leg and foot and notes that the skin is red, swollen, and covered with large blisters. The patient states that they are very painful. Which of the following bum descriptions should the nurse document?
- A. Full-thickness skin destruction
- B. Deep full-thickness skin destruction
- C. Deep partial-thickness skin destruction
- D. Superficial partial-thickness skin destruction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The erythema, swelling, and blisters point to a deep partial-thickness burn. With full-thickness skin destruction, the appearance is pale and dry or leathery and the area is painless because of the associated nerve destruction. With superficial partial-thickness burns, the area is red, but no blisters are present.
The nurse is estimating the extent of a burn using the rule of nines for a patient who has been admitted with deep partial-thickness burns of the posterior trunk and right arm. What percentage of the patient's total body surface area (TBSA) has been injured?
Correct Answer: 27
Rationale: When using the rule of nines, the posterior trunk is considered to cover 18% of the patient's body and each arm is 9%. Thus, 18% + 9% = 27% TBSA.
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