Emergency Response Flashcards
7 cards from real RPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Response flashcards as text
A patient is brought to the ED after being found unresponsive. The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min and constricted pupils. Which medication should the nurse prepare FIRST?
Answer: Naloxone 0.4–2 mg IV/IM/IN
Miosis and respiratory depression are hallmarks of opioid toxicity; naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced CNS and respiratory depression.
A patient in the ED is diagnosed with hypertensive emergency with a blood pressure of 220/130 mmHg and confusion. The nurse should anticipate the blood pressure being lowered by no more than:
Answer: 25% in the first hour
Overly rapid blood pressure reduction in hypertensive emergency can cause cerebral ischemia; the goal is a maximum 25% reduction in the first hour.
A patient with a penetrating abdominal wound has an evisceration. The nurse's CORRECT intervention is to:
Answer: Cover the evisceration with moist sterile saline gauze and do not reinsert
Eviscerated organs should be covered with moist sterile saline gauze to prevent drying and ischemia, and never pushed back in, as this risks contamination and vascular compromise.
A nurse is performing a primary survey on a trauma patient. Using the ABCDE approach, which assessment occurs BEFORE evaluating breathing?
Answer: Airway with cervical spine protection
In the ABCDE trauma primary survey, Airway with simultaneous cervical spine protection is the very first assessment and intervention priority.
A patient presents with a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T-waves on ECG. The FIRST intervention to protect the heart is to administer:
Answer: Calcium gluconate IV
Calcium gluconate IV is given first in severe hyperkalemia to stabilize the cardiac membrane and prevent lethal dysrhythmias before other measures lower serum potassium.
An unresponsive adult patient is found with no pulse. Bystanders report the patient collapsed 8 minutes ago. The nurse correctly prioritizes:
Answer: Starting high-quality CPR while preparing the defibrillator
After more than 4–5 minutes without CPR, myocardial oxygen depletion means CPR should be initiated first to improve the chance of successful defibrillation.
A patient is admitted with heat stroke, a core temperature of 41.5°C (106.7°F), and altered mental status. The PRIORITY nursing intervention is:
Answer: Begin rapid active external cooling immediately
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency; rapid cooling (ice packs to groin/axilla/neck, cold water immersion) must begin immediately to prevent organ damage.
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