Question 1

A patient is admitted with a chemical burn caused by a malfunctioning oven-cleaner container. What should the nurse keep in mind about this type of burn? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Tissue damage will be deeper.
B)   The agent is more difficult to neutralize.
C)   Extent of damage depends upon the duration on the skin.
D)   There is less risk of contamination to the nurse and other people
E)   Contact the poison control center for information on how neutralize the agent. A,B,C,E

Question 2

The nurse providing an overview of burns to a community group teaches the causes for thermal burns. What causes should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Contact with steam
B)   Exposure to hot liquids
C)   Being splashed with drain cleaner
D)   Stepping on hot charcoal
E)   Friction injuries A,B,D,E

Question 3

A patient has a superficial partial-thickness burn over the anterior portion of the right lower leg. What care should the nurse plan for this patient? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Grafting
B)   Splinting
C)   Wound care
D)   Escharotomy
E)   Pain management C,E

Question 4

A patient complains of increased pain to the area of a third-degree burn covering the entire arm. The nurse suspects compartment syndrome. For which intervention should the nurse prepare the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Transportation to the whirlpool
B)   Application of multiple Ace wraps over the current gauze dressing
C)   An escharotomy performed by the physician
D)   Skin grafting performed by the physician

Question 5

After the initial assessment of burn injuries, it is determined that the patient will be transferred to a burn center for care. What assessment finding contributed to this decision? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Burns on the face
B)   Burns on the hands
C)   Burns to both hips
D)   Burn to the perineum
E)   Burns to the upper left arm and lower right leg

Question 6

The burn unit nurse teaches a new staff nurse the priority nursing actions during the resuscitation phase of burn management. Which statement made by the inexperienced nurse indicates a need for further teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "We should promote an increased oral fluid intake."
B)   "A urinary catheter is usually inserted."
C)   "I'll get a nasogastric tube and suction equipment ready."
D)   "All patients should have a large-bore IV access if possible."

Question 7

The nurse cares for a patient who was brought into the emergency department after being struck by lightning. This patient's injuries will most likely be to which body areas? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Heart
B)   Soft tissue
C)   Bones
D)   Kidneys
E)   Lungs

Question 8

Which assessment finding by the nurse would be suggestive of a minor burn?

Accepted Answer

A)   The involved skin is deep reddish-brown in color and edematous.
B)   Blisters begin to form on the skin within the first hour of exposure.
C)   The skin remains intact because only the epidermal layer is involved.
D)   Scarring will be evident on the edges of the burn in a matter of hours.

Question 9

The intensive care nurse assesses a patient for cardiovascular system changes related to a burn injury. Which findings are associated with a burn injury? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Hypertension
B)   Altered capillary refill
C)   Hypovolemic burn shock
D)   Peripheral extremity vascular compromise
E)   Cardiac dysrhythmias

Question 10

What should the nurse teach a patient with a burn injury about skin changes that occur following a large burn?

Accepted Answer

A)   Regulating body temperature returns with healing.
B)   Healed burn areas are more susceptible to mechanical injury.
C)   Sensory perception never returns once healing of a burn is complete.
D)   Vitamin D from sun exposure facilitates the healing process.

Question 11

The nurse suspects that a patient with 40% total body surface area burned is developing gastrointestinal problems. What did the nurse assess to make this clinical determination? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Hematemesis
B)   Abdominal pain
C)   Board-like abdomen
D)   Absent bowel sounds
E)   Abdominal distention

Question 12

The nurse cares for a patient who was in a house fire. The patient currently has a hoarse voice and has soot in the sputum. Over the next 24 hours, what might the patient experience as manifestations of a lower airway injury? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Increased mucous production
B)   Bronchospasm
C)   Alteration in breath sounds
D)   Chest pain
E)   Peripheral neuropathy

Question 13

A patient experiences high levels of anxiety following a house fire. The nurse should administer which medication to help reduce the anxiety?

Accepted Answer

A)   Fentanyl
B)   Lorazepam
C)   Hydromorphone
D)   Sertraline

Question 14

A patient comes to the emergency department with thermal burns to the left arm and shoulder. Which finding requires immediate attention by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)   Complaint of excessive thirst
B)   Loss of range of motion to the affected side
C)   Pain rating of 8 on a 1-to-10 scale
D)   Presence of coughing and hoarseness

Question 15

The nurse assists with the initial debridement of a patient's burn wounds. What will be done during this debridement? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)   Cleaning the wounds with warm water and wound cleanser
B)   Removing loose skin with gauze
C)   Trimming skin tags with scissors
D)   Shaving the hair around the wound
E)   Washing the debrided wound with hot water and liquid soap

Question 16

A patient is admitted with burns to both legs and one arm after being electrocuted while replacing a transformer during a thunderstorm. Since these limbs appear mummified, which treatment should the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Amputation
B)   Debridement
C)   Whirlpool and wet dressings
D)   Escharotomy and colloid dressings

Question 17

A patient sustained burns to the following body areas: both upper anterior arms, both lower anterior legs, and the anterior face and neck. Using the rule of nines, what is this patient's total body surface area burned? Record your answer rounding to one decimal place.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient sustained burns to the following...

Question 18

In preparing a patient for the rehabilitation phase of burn management, which statement reflects understanding of discharge teaching following a 6-month hospitalization?

Accepted Answer

A)   "I need to begin cutting back on calories to avoid weight gain."
B)   "I should have regular osteoporosis screening."
C)   "I will likely not tolerate cold weather anymore."
D)   "I must avoid getting a flu shot this year."

Question 19

An alert patient at the scene of an explosion has a respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, a faint stridor, and soot on the face. The patient's heart rate is 120 beats per minute. Which action should be implemented first?

Accepted Answer

A)   Administering humidified oxygen
B)   Placing on a cardiac monitor
C)   Inserting a large-bore angiocatheter
D)   Prophylactically intubating the patient

Question 20

The nurse plans a burn prevention program for older persons at a neighborhood association meeting. Which visual aid should the nurse use to emphasize the most common cause of burn injuries in an older adult?

Accepted Answer

A)   A lit cigarette
B)   A bathtub of hot water
C)   Pots and pans on a stove
D)   Frayed electrical wires

Exam 17: Care of the Acutely Ill Burn Patient