Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 63%
Simulated
The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient who was just pulled from a freezing lake. What is the priority action of the nurse?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Wrap the patient in warmed blankets. This is the priority action because the patient is at risk of hypothermia due to exposure to the cold water. Warming the patient with blankets helps to prevent further heat loss and stabilize body temperature. Choice A is incorrect as giving hot liquids could potentially cause burns in a patient with altered consciousness. Choice B is incorrect as promoting shivering can lead to increased heat loss. Choice C is incorrect as removing restrictive clothing may exacerbate heat loss. Wrapping the patient in warmed blankets provides immediate, passive rewarming and is the most appropriate action in this scenario.