After being sexually assaulted, a woman is brought to the emergency department by a friend. The patient is confused and has a large laceration above the left eye. Which action should the nurse take first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first priority is to treat urgent medical problems associated with the sexual assault. The patient's head injury may be associated with a head trauma such as a skull fracture or subdural hematoma. Therefore her neurologic status should be assessed first. The other nursing actions also are appropriate, but they are not as high in priority as assessment and treatment for acute physiologic injury.

After Being Sexually Assaulted, a Woman Is Brought to the Emergency