A 24-year-old woman passenger in an automobile strikes the windscreen with her face during a head-on collision. In the ED she is talking and has marked facial edema and crepitus. The highest priority should be given to:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Upper airway protection. The highest priority should be given to ensuring the patient's airway is clear and protected, as facial edema and crepitus indicate potential airway compromise. This is crucial to prevent respiratory distress or failure. Assessing the carotid pulse or determining associated injuries can wait until the airway is secured. A lateral c-spine x-ray may be necessary later but is not the immediate priority.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "10 min". The brain can be anoxic, or deprived of oxygen, for about 10 minutes before irreversible damage occurs. During oxygen deprivation, brain cells begin to die within minutes, leading to permanent brain damage. Oxygen is essential for brain function and prolonged anoxia can result in cognitive impairment, disability, or even death. Choice B (5 min), C (2 min), and D (20 min) are incorrect because they do not align with the typical timeframe for irreversible brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Traumatic brain injury. In this scenario, the patient's hemodynamic changes are primarily related to fluid resuscitation, as evidenced by the initial response to crystalloid infusion. Traumatic brain injury typically does not cause such acute and direct hemodynamic changes. Ongoing blood loss (choice A) is a common cause of hemodynamic instability and should be considered. Blunt cardiac injury (choice B) can lead to hemodynamic compromise, especially with changes in blood pressure. Inadequate resuscitation (choice D) can also contribute to hemodynamic instability. However, in this case, traumatic brain injury is the least likely cause given the patient's response to fluid infusion and the nature of the presentation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dementia. Dementia is characterized by a significant decline in cognitive function, affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. Terminal illness (A), heart disease (C), and chronic disorder (D) do not specifically refer to the loss of mental abilities as seen in dementia. Dementia is a specific condition that is distinct from physical illnesses like heart disease and chronic disorders.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because keeping a resident's information confidential is a fundamental ethical principle in healthcare. This protects the resident's privacy and builds trust. Choice B is incorrect as it goes against transparency and accountability. Choice C is incorrect as it involves deception and impersonation, which is unethical and could harm the resident's trust. Choice D is incorrect as it is unprofessional and could burden the resident with unnecessary information. Overall, maintaining confidentiality demonstrates respect for the resident's autonomy and upholds ethical standards in nursing practice.