Medical Surgical Nursing Patient Centered Collaborative Care, 8th Edition by Donna D. Ignatavicius – Test Bank
Chapter 8: Concepts of Emergency and Trauma Nursing
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An emergency room nurse assesses a client who has been raped. With which health care
team member should the nurse collaborate when planning this client’s care?
a. Emergency medicine physician
b. Case manager
c. Forensic nurse examiner
d. Psychiatric crisis nurse
ANS: C
All other members of the health care team listed may be used in the management of this
client’s care. However, the forensic nurse examiner is educated to obtain client histories and
collect evidence dealing with the assault, and can offer the counseling and follow-up needed
when dealing with the victim of an assault.
DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 106
KEY: Interdisciplinary team| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. The emergency department team is performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a client
when the client’s spouse arrives at the emergency department. Which action should the
nurse take first?
a. Request that the client’s spouse sit in the waiting room.
b. Ask the spouse if he wishes to be present during the resuscitation.
c. Suggest that the spouse begin to pray for the client.
d. Refer the client’s spouse to the hospital’s crisis team.
ANS: B
If resuscitation efforts are still under way when the family arrives, one or two family
members may be given the opportunity to be present during lifesaving procedures. The other
options do not give the spouse the opportunity to be present for the client or to begin to have
closure.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 114
KEY: Death| emergency nursing MSC: Integrated Process: Caring
NOT: Client Needs Category: Psychosocial Integrity
3. An emergency room nurse is triaging victims of a multi-casualty event. Which client should
receive care first?
a. A 30-year-old distraught mother holding her crying child
b. A 65-year-old conscious male with a head laceration
c. A 26-year-old male who has pale, cool, clammy skin
d. A 48-year-old with a simple fracture of the lower leg
ANS: C
The client with pale, cool, clammy skin is in shock and needs immediate medical attention.
The mother does not have injuries and so would be the lowest priority. The other two people
need medical attention soon, but not at the expense of a person in shock.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 117
KEY: Triage| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. While triaging clients in a crowded emergency department, a nurse assesses a client who
presents with symptoms of tuberculosis. Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula.
b. Administer intravenous 0.9% saline solution.
c. Transfer the client to a negative-pressure room.
d. Obtain a sputum culture and sensitivity.
ANS: C
A client with signs and symptoms of tuberculosis or other airborne pathogens should be
placed in a negative-pressure room to prevent contamination of staff, clients, and family
members in the crowded emergency department.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 108
KEY: Infection control| Transmission-Based Precautions| emergency nursing| staff safety
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
5. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department (ED). Which client should the nurse
prioritize to receive care first?
a. A 22-year-old with a painful and swollen right wrist
b. A 45-year-old reporting chest pain and diaphoresis
c. A 60-year-old reporting difficulty swallowing and nausea
d. An 81-year-old with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and a temperature of 101°
F
ANS: B
A client experiencing chest pain and diaphoresis would be classified as emergent and would
be triaged immediately to a treatment room in the ED. The other clients are more stable.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 111
KEY: Triage| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
6. A nurse is evaluating levels and functions of trauma centers. Which function is
appropriately paired with the level of the trauma center?
a. Level I – Located within remote areas and provides advanced life support within
resource capabilities
b. Level II – Located within community hospitals and provides care to most injured
clients
c. Level III – Located in rural communities and provides only basic care to clients
d. Level IV – Located in large teaching hospitals and provides a full continuum of
trauma care for all clients
ANS: B
Level I trauma centers are usually located in large teaching hospital systems and provide a
full continuum of trauma care for all clients. Both Level II and Level III facilities are usually
located in community hospitals. These trauma centers provide care for most clients and
transport to Level I centers when client needs exceed resource capabilities. Level IV trauma
centers are usually located in rural and remote areas. These centers provide basic care,
stabilization, and advanced life support while transfer arrangements to higher-level trauma
centers are made.
DIF: Remembering/Knowledge REF: 115
KEY: Trauma center| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
7. Emergency medical technicians arrive at the emergency department with an unresponsive
client who has an oxygen mask in place. Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Assess that the client is breathing adequately.
b. Insert a large-bore intravenous line.
c. Place the client on a cardiac monitor.
d. Assess for the best neurologic response.
ANS: A
The highest-priority intervention in the primary survey is to establish that the client is
breathing adequately. Even though this client has an oxygen mask on, he or she may not be
breathing, or may be breathing inadequately with the device in place.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 116
KEY: Primary survey| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
8. A trauma client with multiple open wounds is brought to the emergency department in
cardiac arrest. Which action should the nurse take prior to providing advanced cardiac life
support?
a. Contact the on-call orthopedic surgeon.
b. Don personal protective equipment.
c. Notify the Rapid Response Team.
d. Obtain a complete history from the paramedic.
ANS: B
Nurses must recognize and plan for a high risk of contamination with blood and body fluids
when engaging in trauma resuscitation. Standard Precautions should be taken in all
resuscitation situations and at other times when exposure to blood and body fluids is likely.
Proper attire consists of an impervious cover gown, gloves, eye protection, a facemask, a
surgical cap, and shoe covers.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 116
KEY: Infection control| Standard Precautions| emergency nursing| staff safety
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
9. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should be considered
“urgent”?
a. A 20-year-old female with a chest stab wound and tachycardia
b. A 45-year-old homeless man with a skin rash and sore throat
c. A 75-year-old female with a cough and a temperature of 102° F
d. A 50-year-old male with new-onset confusion and slurred speech
ANS: C
A client with a cough and a temperature of 102° F is urgent. This client is at risk for
deterioration and needs to be seen quickly, but is not in an immediately life-threatening
situation. The client with a chest stab wound and tachycardia and the client with new-onset
confusion and slurred speech should be triaged as emergent. The client with a skin rash and
a sore throat is not at risk for deterioration and would be triaged as nonurgent.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 112
KEY: Triage| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
10. An emergency department nurse is caring for a client who has died from a suspected
homicide. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Remove all tubes and wires in preparation for the medical examiner.
b. Limit the number of visitors to minimize the family’s trauma.
c. Consult the bereavement committee to follow up with the grieving family.
d. Communicate the client’s death to the family in a simple and concrete manner.
ANS: D
When dealing with clients and families in crisis, communicate in a simple and concrete
manner to minimize confusion. Tubes must remain in place for the medical examiner.
Family should be allowed to view the body. Offering to call for additional family support
during the crisis is suggested. The bereavement committee should be consulted, but this is
not the priority at this time.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 114
KEY: Death| emergency nursing MSC: Integrated Process: Caring
NOT: Client Needs Category: Psychosocial Integrity
11. An emergency department (ED) case manager is consulted for a client who is homeless.
Which intervention should the case manager provide?
a. Communicate client needs and restrictions to support staff.
b. Prescribe low-cost antibiotics to treat community-acquired infection.
c. Provide referrals to subsidized community-based health clinics.
d. Offer counseling for substance abuse and mental health disorders.
ANS: C
Case management interventions include facilitating referrals to primary care providers who
are accepting new clients or to subsidized community-based health clinics for clients or
families in need of routine services. The ED nurse is accountable for communicating
pertinent staff considerations, client needs, and restrictions to support staff (e.g., physical
limitations, isolation precautions) to ensure that ongoing client and staff safety issues are
addressed. The ED physician prescribes medications and treatments. The psychiatric nurse
team evaluates clients with emotional behaviors or mental illness and facilitates the
follow-up treatment plan, including possible admission to an appropriate psychiatric facility.
DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 114
KEY: Interdisciplinary team| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
12. An emergency department nurse is caring for a client who is homeless. Which action should
the nurse take to gain the client’s trust?
a. Speak in a quiet and monotone voice.
b. Avoid eye contact with the client.
c. Listen to the client’s concerns and needs.
d. Ask security to store the client’s belongings.
ANS: C
To demonstrate behaviors that promote trust with homeless clients, the emergency room
nurse should make eye contact (if culturally appropriate), speak calmly, avoid any
prejudicial or stereotypical remarks, show genuine care and concern by listening, and follow
through on promises. The nurse should also respect the client’s belongings and personal
space.
DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 114
KEY: Interdisciplinary team| emergency nursing| case management
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
13. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should the nurse
classify as “nonurgent?”
a. A 44-year-old with chest pain and diaphoresis
b. A 50-year-old with chest trauma and absent breath sounds
c. A 62-year-old with a simple fracture of the left arm
d. A 79-year-old with a temperature of 104° F
ANS: C
A client in a nonurgent category can tolerate waiting several hours for health care services
without a significant risk of clinical deterioration. The client with a simple arm fracture and
palpable radial pulses is currently stable, is not at significant risk of clinical deterioration,
and would be considered nonurgent. The client with chest pain and diaphoresis and the
client with chest trauma are emergent owing to the potential for clinical deterioration and
would be seen immediately. The client with a high fever may be stable now but also has a
risk of deterioration.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 111
KEY: Triage| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is caring for clients in a busy emergency department. Which actions should the
nurse take to ensure client and staff safety? (Select all that apply.)
a. Leave the stretcher in the lowest position with rails down so that the client can
access the bathroom.
b. Use two identifiers before each intervention and before mediation administration.
c. Attempt de-escalation strategies for clients who demonstrate aggressive behaviors.
d. Search the belongings of clients with altered mental status to gain essential
medical information.
e. Isolate clients who have immune suppression disorders to prevent
hospital-acquired infections.
ANS: B, C, D
To ensure client and staff safety, nurses should use two identifiers per The Joint
Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals; follow the hospital’s security plan, including
de-escalation strategies for people who demonstrate aggressive or violent tendencies; and
search belongings to identify essential medical information. Nurses should also use standard
fall prevention interventions, including leaving stretchers in the lowest position with rails
up, and isolating clients who present with signs and symptoms of contagious infectious
disorders.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 108
KEY: Safety| patient safety| staff safety
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
2. An emergency department (ED) nurse is preparing to transfer a client to the trauma
intensive care unit. Which information should the nurse include in the nurse-to-nurse
hand-off report? (Select all that apply.)
a. Mechanism of injury
b. Diagnostic test results
c. Immunizations
d. List of home medications
e. Isolation precautions
ANS: A, B, E
Hand-off communication should be comprehensive so that the receiving nurse can continue
care for the client fluidly. Communication should be concise and should include only the
most essential information for a safe transition in care. Hand-off communication should
include the client’s situation (reason for being in the ED), brief medical history, assessment
and diagnostic findings, Transmission-Based Precautions needed, interventions provided,
and response to those interventions.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 108
KEY: SBAR| hand-off communication
MSC: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. An emergency room nurse is caring for a trauma client. Which interventions should the
nurse perform during the primary survey? (Select all that apply.)
a. Foley catheterization
b. Needle decompression
c. Initiating IV fluids
d. Splinting open fractures
e. Endotracheal intubation
f. Removing wet clothing
g. Laceration repair
ANS: B, C, E, F
The primary survey for a trauma client organizes the approach to the client so that
life-threatening injuries are rapidly identified and managed. The primary survey is based on
the standard mnemonic ABC, with an added D and E: Airway and cervical spine control;
Breathing; Circulation; Disability; and Exposure. After the completion of primary diagnostic
and laboratory studies, and the insertion of gastric and urinary tubes, the secondary survey
(a complete head-to-toe assessment) can be carried out.
DIF: Applying/Application REF: 115
KEY: Primary survey| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
4. The complex care provided during an emergency requires interdisciplinary collaboration.
Which interdisciplinary team members are paired with the correct responsibilities? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Psychiatric crisis nurse – Interacts with clients and families when sudden illness,
serious injury, or death of a loved one may cause a crisis
b. Forensic nurse examiner – Performs rapid assessments to ensure clients with the
highest acuity receive the quickest evaluation, treatment, and prioritization of
resources
c. Triage nurse – Provides basic life support interventions such as oxygen, basic
wound care, splinting, spinal immobilization, and monitoring of vital signs
d. Emergency medical technician – Obtains client histories, collects evidence, and
offers counseling and follow-up care for victims of rape, child abuse, and domestic
violence
e. Paramedic – Provides prehospital advanced life support, including cardiac
monitoring, advanced airway management, and medication administration
ANS: A, E
The psychiatric crisis nurse evaluates clients with emotional behaviors or mental illness and
facilitates follow-up treatment plans. The psychiatric crisis nurse also works with clients and
families when experiencing a crisis. Paramedics are advanced life support providers who
can perform advanced techniques that may include cardiac monitoring, advanced airway
management and intubation, establishing IV access, and administering drugs en route to the
emergency department. The forensic nurse examiner is trained to recognize evidence of
abuse and to intervene on the client’s behalf. The forensic nurse examiner will obtain client
histories, collect evidence, and offer counseling and follow-up care for victims of rape, child
abuse, and domestic violence. The triage nurse performs rapid assessments to ensure clients
with the highest acuity receive the quickest evaluation, treatment, and prioritization of
resources. The emergency medical technician is usually the first caregiver and provides
basic life support and transportation to the emergency department.
DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 106
KEY: Interdisciplinary team| emergency nursing
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. A nurse prepares to discharge an older adult client home from the emergency department
(ED). Which actions should the nurse take to prevent future ED visits? (Select all that
apply.)
a. Provide medical supplies to the family.
b. Consult a home health agency.
c. Encourage participation in community activities.
d. Screen for depression and suicide.
e. Complete a functional assessment.
ANS: D, E
Due to the high rate of suicide among older adults, a nurse should assess all older adults for
depression and suicide. The nurse should also screen older adults for functional assessment,
cognitive assessment, and risk for falls to prevent future ED visits.
DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 112
KEY: Discharge planning| older adult
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
NOT: Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenanc
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