The nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter. What is the most important action for the nurse to take to prevent infection?
- A. Change the catheter dressing every 72 hours.
- B. Flush the catheter with heparin solution daily.
- C. Ensure the catheter is clamped when not in use.
- D. Maintain sterile technique when handling the catheter.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Maintaining sterile technique when handling a central venous catheter is crucial in preventing infections. Changing the catheter dressing every 72 hours, while important for overall catheter care, does not directly address infection prevention. Flushing the catheter with heparin solution daily is essential for maintaining patency but does not primarily prevent infections. Ensuring the catheter is clamped when not in use is important for preventing air embolism but is not the most critical action to prevent infection. The most effective way to prevent infections is by strictly adhering to sterile techniques during catheter handling, which minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the catheter site.
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A healthcare professional is preparing a care plan for a patient who is immobile. Which psychosocial aspect will the professional assess for?
- A. Loss of bone mass
- B. Loss of strength
- C. Loss of weight
- D. Loss of hope
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct. Loss of hope is a significant psychosocial aspect that healthcare professionals should assess for in patients who are immobile. Immobility can lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression, impacting the patient's mental well-being. Assessing for loss of hope allows healthcare professionals to provide appropriate support and interventions to address the patient's emotional needs. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they primarily relate to physical changes (bone mass, strength, weight) rather than the psychosocial aspect of hope.
How can self-injury be prevented when lifting a bedside cabinet?
- A. Standing close to the cabinet when lifting.
- B. Bending at the waist when lifting.
- C. Twisting while lifting to balance the load.
- D. Lifting with a quick motion.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct way to prevent self-injury when lifting a bedside cabinet is by standing close to the cabinet. By standing close, the individual can maintain better control and balance while lifting, reducing the risk of injury. Bending at the waist when lifting (choice B) can strain the back and lead to injury. Twisting while lifting (choice C) can also cause strain and imbalance. Lifting with a quick motion (choice D) can increase the risk of injury due to lack of control and improper body mechanics.
A healthcare professional reviewing a client's health record notes a new prescription for lisinopril 10 mg PO once daily. The healthcare professional should identify this as which of the following types of prescription?
- A. Single
- B. Stat
- C. Routine
- D. Now
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A prescription for once-daily medication is considered routine as it is meant for regular, daily administration to maintain therapeutic levels in the body. Single prescriptions are for one-time use only. Stat prescriptions are for immediate administration in urgent situations, while now prescriptions are also for immediate use but may have varying levels of urgency depending on the patient's condition. In this case, since the prescription is for once daily use, it falls under the category of routine prescription.
What is the most important action for the LPN/LVN to take to prevent infection in a client with an indwelling urinary catheter?
- A. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
- B. Change the catheter every 72 hours.
- C. Clean the perineal area with an antiseptic solution daily.
- D. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most crucial action to prevent infection in a client with an indwelling urinary catheter is to ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks. This step helps prevent obstruction in the tubing, maintaining proper urine flow and reducing the risk of infection. Changing the catheter every 72 hours is not recommended unless clinically indicated, as routine changes can increase the risk of introducing pathogens. Cleaning the perineal area with an antiseptic solution is essential for general hygiene but does not directly prevent catheter-related infections. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift is not a standard practice and can introduce microorganisms into the urinary tract, increasing the risk of infection.
A nurse receives a report about a client receiving IV fluids infusing at 125 mL/hr but notes they have only received 80 mL over the last 2 hours. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Check IV tubing for obstruction
- B. Increase the flow rate
- C. Change the IV site
- D. Notify the physician
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take is to check the IV tubing for obstruction. This step is crucial in ensuring that the IV fluids are flowing properly and that there are no blockages preventing the correct infusion rate. Increasing the flow rate (Choice B) without confirming the tubing's status could lead to potential complications if there is indeed an obstruction. Changing the IV site (Choice C) is not the priority in this situation unless there are specific clinical indications. Notifying the physician (Choice D) can be done after checking the tubing for obstruction, as the physician may need to be informed depending on the findings.