For a client with suspected pelvic fracture after a motor vehicle crash, which nursing action has the highest priority?

For a client with suspected pelvic fracture after a motor vehicle crash, which nursing action has the highest priority?

• A. Logrolling for transfers
• B. Inspecting the genitalia
• C. Preparing for a pelvic examination
• D. Administering prescribed pain medication

Answer: (B)

In pelvic trauma, a major concern is injury to the urethra or surrounding genital structures. Signs such as blood at the urethral meatus, perineal bruising, or scrotal swelling can indicate urethral injury. If a urethral injury is present, inserting a urinary catheter can worsen the tear or lead to complications, so the first step is to inspect the genital area to look for these signs and guide the next interventions. This makes inspecting the genitalia the highest-priority action, because it directly informs safe management of urinary drainage. Other actions—like logrolling for transfers, preparing for a pelvic exam, or giving pain medication—are important but do not address the immediate risk of undetected urethral injury that could be worsened by catheterization.

In pelvic trauma, a major concern is injury to the urethra or surrounding genital structures. Signs such as blood at the urethral meatus, perineal bruising, or scrotal swelling can indicate urethral injury. If a urethral injury is present, inserting a urinary catheter can worsen the tear or lead to complications, so the first step is to inspect the genital area to look for these signs and guide the next interventions.

This makes inspecting the genitalia the highest-priority action, because it directly informs safe management of urinary drainage. Other actions—like logrolling for transfers, preparing for a pelvic exam, or giving pain medication—are important but do not address the immediate risk of undetected urethral injury that could be worsened by catheterization.