A 34-Year-Old Roofer Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due

question 61

Multiple Choice

A 34-year-old roofer is brought to the emergency department due to an electrical injury.  He was maneuvering an extended ladder when it contacted an overhead power line.  The patient is alert and cooperative but has no recollection of the accident.  Temperature is 37.8 C (100 F) , blood pressure is 124/80 mm Hg, pulse is 92/min, and respirations are 20/min.  Examination reveals that bilateral hands are charred, leathery, and insensate, and large, open wounds are present on the soles of both feet.  ECG shows normal sinus rhythm.  Based on these findings, the patient is at greatest risk for developing which of the following complications over the next several days?

• A)Brain herniation
• B)Cardiac tamponade
• C)Rhabdomyolysis
• D)Seizures
• E)Thrombocytosis

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Definitions:

Clinical Decision Making

The process by which healthcare providers assess and consider various factors and evidence to make informed patient care decisions.

Decubitus Ulcer

A pressure sore or ulcer that forms on the skin due to prolonged pressure, commonly occurring in bedridden or immobile individuals.

Constipation

A common digestive disorder where an individual experiences difficulty in passing stool or does so infrequently.

Dysphagia

Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, which can be a symptom of various medical conditions.