Which is the priority nursing diagnosis during the acute phase of a third-degree circumferential burn of the right arm for a pediatric client?

Question

1. Altered Tissue Perfusion, Risk for
2. Infection, Risk for
3. Impaired Physical Mobility
4. Altered Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements, Risk for

Answer 1

1
Explanation:
1. Circumferential burns can restrict blood flow due to edema, resulting in tissue hypoxia. Altered Tissue Perfusion to the extremity is the greatest risk and therefore the priority diagnosis.
2. When the burn is circumferential, blood flow can become restricted due to edema and can result in tissue hypoxia; therefore, the priority diagnosis is Altered Tissue Perfusion, Risk for, to the extremity. Risk of infection would be a secondary priority in this case.
3. Impaired physical mobility is a secondary priority for the child with a circumferential burn. Edema to the area can result in restricted blood flow and tissue hypoxia, making the priority diagnosis Altered Tissue Perfusion, Risk for.
4. Infection, nutrition, and mobility would have secondary priority in this case.