A 35-Year-Old Male Presents to the ER with a Laceration

question 72

Multiple Choice

A 35-year-old male presents to the ER with a laceration on his left hand. The patient reports an hour ago he was working on renovations in his 1945 home, when an old board fell and injured his hand. The laceration is approximately 3 inches long and moderately deep. It appears that the cut was bleeding heavily, but he has stopped the bleeding by holding pressure on the site with an old t-shirt.
-The patient asks why the laceration is puffy,and has become itchy.Which of the following statements by the nurse is the most appropriate response?  

• A)This is a normal response to injury.Blood has rushed to the area,fluid is leaking from the damaged vessels,and chemical mediators called cytokines are causing you to itch.
• B)This is a normal response to injury.Your body is building up pressure around the wound to stop the bleeding,and the wood likely left internal splinters that are causing you to itch.
• C)This is a concerning sign.I will call the doctor now to lance the swollen area,and in the meantime,I will apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound.
• D)This is a concerning sign.Edema and pruritus are early signs of gangrene.To help the swelling,hold your hand above your heart to decrease blood flow to the area.

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Definitions:

Probate Court

A specialized judicial body that handles matters pertaining to wills, estates, and the distribution of a deceased person's assets.

Deceased Person's Estate

All the assets and liabilities left by an individual after death, which are subject to management and distribution.

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The network of courts established by the federal government of a country, dealing with issues that pertain to national laws and constitution.