Emergency medical services arrive to the emergency department with a client who has a cervical spinal cord injury. Which priority assessment does the emergency department nurse perform at this time?
a. Level of consciousness and orientation
b. Heart rate and rhythm
c. Muscle strength and reflexes
d. Respiratory pattern and airway
D
The first priority for a client with a spinal cord injury is assessment of respiratory status and air-way patency. Clients with cervical spine injuries are particularly prone to respiratory compromise and may even require intubation. The other assessments should be performed after airway and breathing are assessed.
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