Trauma to the Chest Area Is the Primary Cause of Death

Trauma to the chest area is the primary cause of death in approximately 20% to 25% of trauma victims.Involvement of the heart,great vessels,lungs,and diaphragm,attributable to penetrating or blunt injury,can provide multiple unexpected findings when the chest is opened.Because of the nature of the potential findings and expected surgical intervention,what would be an appropriate preparatory nursing action?

A) Set up the autotransfusion system and resuscitation equipment.
B) Prepare the rapid response team and chaplain to be on alert.
C) Call for the small fragment set for rib fracture fixation at closure.
D) Prep the patient from the xiphoid to midthigh.