Chapter 19: Trauma and Surgical Management

Which of the following interventions is a strategy to prevent fat embolism syndrome? a. Administer lipid-lowering statin medications. b. Intubate the patient early after the injury to provide mechanical ventilation. c. Provide prophylaxis with low-molecular weight heparin. d. Stabilize extremity fractures early.

d. Stabilize extremity fractures early.

Patients with musculoskeletal injury are at increased risk for compartment syndrome. What is an initial symptom of a suspected compartment syndrome? a. Absence of pulse in affected extremity b. Pallor in the affected area c. Paresthesia in the affected area d. Severe, throbbing pain in the affected area

d. Severe, throbbing pain in the affected area

When providing information on trauma prevention, it is important to realize that individuals age 35 to 54 years are most likely to experience which type of trauma incident? a. High-speed motor vehicle crashes b. Poisonings from prescription or illegal drugs c. Violent or domestic traumatic altercations d. Work-related falls

b. Poisonings from prescription or illegal drugs

The nurse is caring for a patient who sustained rib fractures after hitting the steering wheel of his car. The patient is spontaneously breathing and receiving oxygen via a face mask; the oxygen saturation is 95%. During the nurse's assessment, the oxygen saturation drops to 80%. The patient's blood pressure has dropped from 128/76 mm Hg to 84/60 mm Hg. The nurse assesses that breath sounds are absent throughout the left lung fields. The nurse notifies the physician and anticipates: a. administration of lactated Ringer's solution (1 L) wide open. b. chest x-ray study to determine the etiology of the symptoms. c. endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. d. needle thoracostomy and chest tube insertion.

d. needle thoracostomy and chest tube insertion.

Range-of-motion exercises, early ambulation, and adequate hydration are interventions to prevent: a. catheter-associated infection. b. venous thromboembolism. c. fat embolism. d. nosocomial pneumonia.

b. venous thromboembolism.

Treatment and/or prevention of rhabdomyolysis in at-risk patients includes aggressive fluid resuscitation to achieve urine output of: a. 30 mL/hr. b. 50 mL/hr. c. 100 mL/hr. d. 300 mL/hr.

c. 100 mL/hr.

During the assessment of a patient after a high-speed motor vehicle crash, which of the following findings would increase the nurse's suspicion of a pulmonary contusion? (Select all that apply.) a. Chest wall ecchymosis b. Diminished or absent breath sounds c. Pink-tinged or blood secretions d. Signs of hypoxia on room air

a. Chest wall ecchymosis c. Pink-tinged or blood secretions d. Signs of hypoxia on room air

Which of the following patients would require greater amounts of fluid resuscitation to prevent acute kidney injury associated with rhabdomyolysis? (Select all that apply.) a. Crush injury to right arm b. Gunshot wound to the abdomen c. Lightning strike of the left arm and chest d. Pulmonary contusion and rib fracture

a. Crush injury to right arm c. Lightning strike of the left arm and chest

Which interventions can the nurse implement to assist the patient's family in coping with the traumatic event? (Select all that apply.) a. Establish a family spokesperson and communication system. b. Ask the family about their normal coping mechanisms. c. Limit visitation to set times throughout the day. d. Coordinate a family conference.

a. Establish a family spokesperson and communication system. b. Ask the family about their normal coping mechanisms. d. Coordinate a family conference.

Trauma patients are at high risk for multiple complications not only due to the mechanism of injury but also due to the patients' long-term management. Which of the following statements apply to trauma patients? (Select all that apply.) a. Indwelling urinary catheters are a source of infection. b. Patients often develop infection and sepsis secondary to central line catheters. c. Pneumonia is often an adverse outcome of mechanical ventilation. d. Wounds require sterile dressings to prevent infection.

a. Indwelling urinary catheters are a source of infection. b. Patients often develop infection and sepsis secondary to central line catheters. c. Pneumonia is often an adverse outcome of mechanical ventilation.

Which of the following interventions would not be appropriate for a patient who is admitted with a suspected basilar skull fracture? a. Insertion of a nasogastric tube b. Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter c. Endotracheal intubation d. Placement of an oral airway

a. Insertion of a nasogastric tube

An 18-year-old unrestrained passenger who sustained multiple traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash has a blood pressure of 80/60 mm Hg at the scene. This patient should be treated at which level trauma center? a. Level I b. Level II c. Level III d. Level IV

a. Level I

Which of the following findings require immediate nursing interventions related to the assessment of a patient with a traumatic brain injury? (Select all that apply.) a. Mean arterial pressure 48 mm Hg b. Elevated serum blood alcohol level c. Non-reactive pupils d. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute

a. Mean arterial pressure 48 mm Hg c. Non-reactive pupils d. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute

The nurse is having difficulty inserting a large caliber intravenous catheter to facilitate fluid resuscitation to a hypotensive trauma patient. The nurse recommends which of the following emergency procedures to facilitate rapid fluid administration? a. Placement of an intraosseous catheter b. Placement of a central line placement c. Insertion of a femoral catheter by a trauma surgeon d. Rapid transfer to the operating room

a. Placement of an intraosseous catheter

Nursing priorities to prevent ineffective coagulation include which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. Prevention of hypothermia b. Administration of fresh frozen plasma as ordered c. Administration of potassium as ordered d. Administration of calcium as ordered

a. Prevention of hypothermia b. Administration of fresh frozen plasma as ordered d. Administration of calcium as ordered

A community-based external disaster is initiated after a tornado moved through the city. A nurse from the medical records review department arrives at the emergency department asking how she can assist. The best response by a nurse working for the trauma center would be to: a. assign the nurse administrative duties, such as obtaining patient demographic information. b. assign the nurse to a triage room with another nurse from the emergency department. c. thank the nurse but inform her to return to her department as her skill set is not a good match for patients' needs. d. have the nurse assist with transport of patients to procedural areas.

a. assign the nurse administrative duties, such as obtaining patient demographic information.

Which of the following injuries would result in a greater likelihood of internal organ damage and risk for infection? a. A fall from a 6-foot ladder onto the grass b. A shotgun wound to the abdomen c. A knife wound to the right chest d. A motor vehicle crash in which the driver hits the steering wheel

b. A shotgun wound to the abdomen

It is important to prevent hypothermia in the trauma patient because hypothermia is associated with which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. ARDS b. Coagulopathies c. Dysrhythmias d. Myocardial dysfunction

b. Coagulopathies c. Dysrhythmias d. Myocardial dysfunction

A 36-year-old driver was pulled from a car after it collided with a tree and the gas tank exploded. What assessment data suggest the patient suffered tissue damage consistent with a blast injury? a. Blood pressure 82/60, heart rate 122, respiratory rate 28. b. Crackles (rales) on auscultation of bilateral lung fields. c. Responsive only to painful stimuli. d. Irregular heart rate and rhythm.

b. Crackles (rales) on auscultation of bilateral lung fields.

Which of the following statements about mass casualty triage during a disaster is true? a. Priority treatments and interventions focus primarily on young victims. b. Disaster victims with the greatest chances for survival receive priority for treatment. c. Once interventions have been initiated, healthcare providers cannot stop the treatment of disaster victims. d. Color-coded systems in which green indicates the patient of greatest need are used during disasters.

b. Disaster victims with the greatest chances for survival receive priority for treatment.

Fluid resuscitation is an important component of managing the trauma patient. Which of the following statements are true regarding the care of a trauma patient? (Select all that apply.) a. 5% Dextrose is recommended for rapid crystalloid infusion. b. IV fluids may need to be warmed to prevent hypothermia. c. Massive transfusions should be avoided to improve patient outcomes. d. Only fully cross-matched blood products are administered.

b. IV fluids may need to be warmed to prevent hypothermia. c. Massive transfusions should be avoided to improve patient outcomes.

During the treatment and management of the trauma patient, maintaining tissue perfusion, oxygenation, and nutritional support are strategies to prevent: a. disseminated intravascular coagulation. b. multisystem organ dysfunction. c. septic shock. d. wound infection.

b. multisystem organ dysfunction.

Which of the following patients have the greatest risk of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after traumatic injury? a. A patient who has a closed head injury with a decreased level of consciousness b. A patient who has a fractured femur and is currently in traction c. A patient who has received large volumes of fluid and/or blood replacement d. A patient who has underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

c. A patient who has received large volumes of fluid and/or blood replacement

Which of the following best defines the term traumatic injury? a. All trauma patients can be successfully rehabilitated. b. Traumatic injuries cause more deaths than heart disease and cancer. c. Alcohol consumption, drug abuse, or other substance abuse contribute to traumatic events. d. Trauma mainly affects the older adult population.

c. Alcohol consumption, drug abuse, or other substance abuse contribute to traumatic events.

The correct order of actions in the management of the postoperative surgical trauma patient who has been admitted to the critical care unit after surgery is: _______________, _______________, _______________,_______________. (Put a comma and space between each answer choice.) a. Connect the patient to bedside monitor and mechanical ventilator. b. Obtain vital signs, rhythm, oxygen saturation, and neurological status. c. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation. d. Reassess and evaluate patency of IV lines, and adjust rate of fluid administration as ordered.

c. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation a. Connect the patient to bedside monitor and mechanical ventilator. b. Obtain vital signs, rhythm, oxygen saturation, and neurological status. d. Reassess and evaluate patency of IV lines, and adjust rate of fluid administration as ordered.

The nurse has admitted a patient to the ED following a fall from a first-floor hotel balcony. The patient is 22 years old and smells of alcohol. The patient begins to vomit in the ED. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate? a. Insert an oral airway to prevent aspiration and to protect the airway. b. Offer the patient an emesis basin so that you can measure the amount of emesis. c. Prepare to suction the oropharynx while maintaining cervical spine immobilization. d. Send a specimen of the emesis to the laboratory for analysis of blood alcohol content.

c. Prepare to suction the oropharynx while maintaining cervical spine immobilization.

A near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) probe is placed in a trauma patient during the resuscitation phase to: a. assess severity of metabolic acidosis. b. determine intraperitoneal bleeding. c. determine tissue oxygenation. d. prevent complications of over-resuscitation.

c. determine tissue oxygenation.

In the trauma patient, symptoms of decreased cardiac output are most commonly caused by: a. cardiac contusion. b. cardiogenic shock. c. hypovolemia. d. pericardial tamponade.

c. hypovolemia.

A 24-year-old unrestrained driver who sustained multiple traumatic injuries from a motor vehicle crash has a blood pressure of 80/60 mm Hg at the scene. The primary survey of this patient upon arrival to the ED: a. includes a cervical spine x-ray study to determine the presence of a fracture. b. involves turning the patient from side to side to get a look at his back. c. is done quickly in the first few minutes to get a baseline assessment and establish priorities. d. is a methodical head-to-toe assessment identifying injuries and treatment priorities.

c. is done quickly in the first few minutes to get a baseline assessment and establish priorities.

The need for fluid resuscitation can be assessed best in the trauma patient by monitoring and trending which of the following tests? a. Arterial oxygen saturation b. Hourly urine output c. Mean arterial pressure d. Serum lactate levels

d. Serum lactate levels

Prevention of hypothermia is crucial in caring for trauma patients. The correct order of actions for the preparation for the trauma patient is: _______________, _______________, _______________, _______________. (Put a comma and space between each answer choice.) a. Remove wet clothing. b. Warm fluids and blood products before administration. c. Cover the patient with an external warming device. d. Warm the ED or intensive care unit (ICU) room before the patient's arrival.

d. Warm the ED or intensive care unit (ICU) room before the patient's arrival. a. Remove wet clothing. c. Cover the patient with an external warming device. b. Warm fluids and blood products before administration.