Nokea
A client hospitalized with a diagnosis of thrombophlebitis is being treated with heparin infusion therapy. About 24 hours after the infusion has begun, the nurse notes that the client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 65 seconds with a control of 30 seconds. What nursing action should the nurse implement?
- A. Discontinue the heparin infusion.
- B. Prepare to administer protamine sulfate.
- C. Notify the primary health care provider of the laboratory results.
- D. Include in report that the client is adequately anticoagulated.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The effectiveness of heparin therapy is monitored by the results of the PTT. Desired range for therapeutic anticoagulation is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control. A PTT of 65 seconds is within the therapeutic range. Therefore, options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect actions.
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A pregnant client tells the nurse that she felt wetness on her peripad and found some clear fluid. The nurse inspects the perineum and notes the presence of the umbilical cord. What is the immediate nursing action?
- A. Monitor the fetal heart rate.
- B. Notify the primary health care provider.
- C. Transfer the client to the delivery room.
- D. Place the client in the Trendelenburg position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: On inspection of the perineum, if the umbilical cord is noted, the nurse immediately places the client in the Trendelenburg position while gently holding the presenting part upward to relieve the cord compression. This position is maintained and the primary health care provider is notified. The fetal heart rate also needs to be monitored to assess for fetal distress. The client is transferred to the delivery room when prescribed by the primary health care provider.
After assisting with a vaginal delivery, what should the nurse do to prevent heat loss via conduction in the newborn?
- A. Wrap the newborn in a blanket.
- B. Close the doors to the delivery room.
- C. Dry the newborn with a warm blanket.
- D. Place the newborn on a warm crib pad.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypothermia caused by conduction occurs when the newborn is on a cold surface, such as a cold pad or mattress. Warming the crib pad will assist in preventing hypothermia by conduction. Radiation occurs when heat from the newborn radiates to a colder surface. Convection occurs as air moves across the newborn's skin from an open door and heat is transferred to the air. Evaporation of moisture from a wet body dissipates heat along with the moisture. Keeping the newborn dry by drying the wet newborn at birth will prevent hypothermia via evaporation.
When a client experiences frequent runs of ventricular tachycardia, the primary health care provider prescribes flecainide. Because of the effects of the medication, which nursing intervention is specific to this client's safety?
- A. Monitor the client's urinary output.
- B. Assess the client for neurological problems.
- C. Ensure that the bed rails remain in the up position.
- D. Monitor the client's vital signs and electrocardiogram (ECG) frequently.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flecainide is an antidysrhythmic medication that slows conduction and decreases excitability, conduction velocity, and automaticity. However, the nurse must monitor for the development of a new or worsening dysrhythmia. Options 1, 2, and 3 are components of standard care but are not specific to this medication.
A visiting home care nurse finds a client unconscious in the bedroom. The client has a history of abusing the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline. The nurse should immediately conduct which assessment?
- A. Pulse
- B. Respirations
- C. Blood pressure
- D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In an emergency situation, the nurse should determine breathlessness first and then assess for a pulse. Blood pressure would be assessed after these assessments are performed. Urinary output is also important but is not the priority at this time.
The nurse is caring for a client receiving bolus feedings via a nasogastric (NG) tube. The nurse should place the client in which position to administer the feeding?
- A. Supine
- B. Semi-Fowler's
- C. Trendelenburg's
- D. Lateral recumbent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients are at high risk for aspiration during an NG tube feeding because the tube bypasses a protective mechanism, the gag reflex. The head of the bed is elevated 35 to 40 degrees (Semi-Fowler's) to prevent this complication by facilitating gastric emptying. The remaining options increase the risk of aspiration by blunting the effect of gravity on gastric emptying.