A patient reported to have been exposed to mustard gas is brought to the emergency department. The patient's skin is red and swollen with small blisters, and the patient's eyes are red and tearing
The patient has a runny nose and a dry, barking cough. What should the nurse's initial action be?
a. Prepare for renal dialysis.
b. Provide oxygen and prepare for mechanical ventilation.
c. Remove the patient's clothing and clean the skin with soap and water.
d. Rush the patient to the intensive care unit for cardiorespiratory monitoring.
ANS: C
Patients exposed to sulfur mustard should undress immediately and wash three times with soap and water. Renal dialysis is not indicated. Oxygen may be useful but is not as important as decontamination. Rushing the patient to the ICU should not be the initial action.
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A. Cochrane Database B. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature C. Government websites D. Healthy People initiative
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Select all that apply. 1. "I will need to change my diet." 2. "Stool will collect in an internal pouch." 3. "Stool will not leak through the stoma." 4. "I will use a catheter to drain the stool." 5. "I will need to change the bag every day."
Needing assistance with daily living activities, an older adult with two grown children is being discharged home. Although both children live nearby, the daughter is expressing concern about handling her parent's physical needs
The nurse's initial response is to: 1. Work with the family on delegating responsibility 2. Suggest short-term nursing home placement to the client 3. Arrange for the client to remain hospitalized in the medical center 4. Make decisions for the family on how to manage the care at home