Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is caring for a 13-year-old adolescent in the pediatric emergency room who has a suspected head injury.Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct action for the nurse to take first is to perform a thorough assessment noting acute conditions (Choice C). This is crucial as it allows the nurse to quickly identify any urgent health issues that require immediate attention. By assessing the adolescent's current condition, the nurse can determine the severity of the situation and prioritize interventions accordingly. This step is essential in providing timely and appropriate care.
Notifying the primary care provider (Choice A) can be important, but it should come after the assessment to provide necessary information for further management. Collecting a detailed past medical history (Choice B) is valuable but may not address urgent needs. Administering pain medication (Choice D) should only be done after assessing the adolescent's condition to ensure it is safe and appropriate.
Notifying the primary care provider (Choice A) can be important, but it should come after the assessment to provide necessary information for further management. Collecting a detailed past medical history (Choice B) is valuable but may not address urgent needs. Administering pain medication (Choice D) should only be done after assessing the adolescent's condition to ensure it is safe and appropriate.