A client with sleep apnea has been ordered a CPAP machine. Which action could the RN delegate to a nursing assistant?
- A. Reminding the client to apply the CPAP at bedtime
- B. Obtaining every three-hour oxygen saturation levels
- C. Teaching the client how to turn on the CPAP machine
- D. Assessing for fatigue or depression caused by poor sleep
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is reminding the client to apply the CPAP at bedtime. This task can be safely delegated to a nursing assistant as it involves a simple and routine reminder. Option B, obtaining oxygen saturation levels, requires a higher level of training and interpretation of results, making it more appropriate for an RN. Option C, teaching the client how to turn on the CPAP machine, involves educating the client and ensuring proper use of medical equipment, which is within the RN's scope of practice. Option D, assessing for fatigue or depression, requires a comprehensive evaluation that involves interpreting symptoms and identifying underlying causes, making it more suitable for an RN to address.
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The nurse is preparing for a dressing change on a full thickness burn to the flank area. The orders include irrigating the wound with each dressing change. To irrigate the wound, what will the nurse use?
- A. Sterile saline
- B. Distilled water
- C. Betadine scrub
- D. Tap water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When irrigating a wound, especially in the case of a full-thickness burn, it is crucial to use a solution that is gentle and non-irritating to the tissues. Sterile saline is the preferred choice for wound irrigation as it is isotonic and does not cause additional damage to the already compromised tissue. Distilled water lacks the electrolytes present in saline, Betadine scrub is not used for irrigation due to its potential to be cytotoxic, and tap water may introduce contaminants and microorganisms to the wound.
A 62-year-old female is being seen on a home visit by a nurse. The patient reports she has been taking Premarin for years. Which of the following would indicate an overdose?
- A. Lower extremity edema
- B. Sensory changes in the upper extremities
- C. Increased occurrence of fractures
- D. Decreased peripheral blood flow
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lower extremity edema can indicate an overdose of Premarin. Premarin, an estrogen hormone replacement therapy, can cause fluid retention leading to edema in the lower extremities. Sensory changes in the upper extremities, increased occurrence of fractures, and decreased peripheral blood flow are not typically associated with an overdose of Premarin.
Which task would be appropriate for the LPN to perform?
- A. Changing a colostomy bag.
- B. Hanging a new bag of TPN.
- C. Drawing a peak antibiotic blood level from a central line.
- D. Administering IV pain medication to a two-day post-op client.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is changing a colostomy bag. This task falls within the LPN's scope of practice. LPNs are trained to provide basic nursing care, including assisting with activities of daily living and certain medical procedures like changing ostomy bags. Hanging a new bag of TPN and drawing a peak antibiotic blood level from a central line are tasks that require a higher level of training and are typically performed by RNs due to their complexity and potential risks. Administering IV pain medication to a two-day post-op client is usually the responsibility of an RN as it involves close monitoring, assessment of the client's condition, and the administration of potent medications that require a higher level of clinical judgment and expertise.
Which behavior by a new nurse would indicate to the charge nurse that this nurse is following standard precautions?
- A. Wearing clean gloves while performing a heel stick on an infant
- B. Wearing the same gloves for assessments of clients in the same room
- C. Wearing sterile gloves when changing the urine bag and nasogastric canister of an infected client
- D. Donning a gown when responding to a request by the family to check the IV pump on a client with rotavirus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is wearing clean gloves while performing a heel stick on an infant. Standard precautions require the use of gloves when there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. Clean gloves are suitable for this task as they provide adequate protection without being sterile. Choice B is incorrect because wearing the same gloves for different clients can lead to cross-contamination, violating standard precautions. Choice C is incorrect as sterile gloves are usually not required for changing a urine bag and nasogastric canister unless a specific aseptic technique is indicated; standard precautions do not demand sterile gloves for such tasks. Choice D is incorrect as donning a gown is not necessary for checking an IV pump unless there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids that would necessitate full-body protection, which is not indicated in this scenario.
The nurse overhears two nursing students talking about a client in the cafeteria. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Report the incident to the nursing supervisor.
- B. Write up a variance report about the incident.
- C. Instruct the students that this is a violation of HIPAA.
- D. Notify the students' faculty regarding the violation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the students that discussing a client in a public area like the cafeteria violates HIPAA regulations. This is important to educate the students about patient confidentiality and the consequences of breaching it. Reporting to the nursing supervisor or faculty should come after addressing the students directly. Writing up a variance report is not the immediate action needed in this situation, as educating the students about their mistake should be the priority. It is essential to address the issue at the source by educating the students first rather than escalating the matter to supervisors or faculty immediately.