You are working the night shift on a medical-surgical unit. Your assignment includes a 19-year-old woman admitted early this morning. She has sustained burns over 30% of her body surface area, with partial-thickness burns on her legs and back.
The client was sleeping when the fire started and managed to make her way out of the house through thick smoke. You are concerned about possible smoke inhalation. What assessment findings would corroborate this concern? Demonstrate a thorough understanding of signs and symptoms & nursing assessment of a compromised airway secondary to thermal smoke. Is the injury always noticeable immediately? What precautionary actions should be taken given her situation and exposure?
The client was sleeping when the fire started and managed to make her way out of the house through thick smoke. You are concerned about possible smoke inhalation. What assessment findings would corroborate this concern? Demonstrate a thorough understanding of signs and symptoms & nursing assessment of a compromised airway secondary to thermal smoke. Is the injury always noticeable immediately? What precautionary actions should be taken given her situation and exposure?
