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The nurse assesses a 2-year-old who is admitted for dehydration and finds that the peripheral IV rate by gravity has slowed, even though the venous access site is healthy. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Apply a warm compress proximal to the site.
- B. Check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole.
- C. Adjust the tape that stabilizes the needle.
- D. Flush with normal saline and recount the drop rate.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When encountering a slowed peripheral IV rate, the nurse should initially check for common factors affecting infusion rates. Factors such as the height of the IV bag, presence of kinks in the tubing, needle size or position, client blood pressure, fluid viscosity, and infiltration can impact the rate. It is crucial to ensure the tubing is free of any kinks and that the IV pole is at an appropriate height to facilitate proper flow by gravity. Applying warmth proximal to the site might help with venospasm, but this intervention should come after ensuring proper tubing flow. Adjusting the tape that stabilizes the needle or flushing with normal saline may be necessary later in the troubleshooting process, but these actions should follow checking for kinks and adjusting the IV pole height, which are less invasive interventions.
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A 20-year-old female client with noticeable body odor has refused to shower for the last 3 days. She states, 'I have been told that it is harmful to bathe during my period.' Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Accept and document the client's wish to refrain from bathing.
- B. Offer to give the client a bed bath, avoiding the perineal area.
- C. Obtain written brochures about menstruation to give to the client.
- D. Teach the importance of personal hygiene during menstruation to the client.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to teach the importance of personal hygiene during menstruation to the client. While respecting the client's beliefs, it is essential to provide education on maintaining hygiene during menstruation. This empowers the client with knowledge to make informed decisions. Options A and B can be considered after providing education. Option C, obtaining brochures, is not the priority as direct communication and teaching would be more effective in addressing the client's concerns.
A nurse is assigned to care for a close friend in the hospital setting. Which action should the nurse take first when given the assignment?
- A. Notify the friend that all medical information will be kept confidential.
- B. Explain the relationship to the charge nurse and ask for reassignment.
- C. Approach the client and ask if the assignment is uncomfortable.
- D. Accept the assignment but protect the client's confidentiality.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse is assigned to care for a close friend, it is essential to maintain professional boundaries to ensure the best care for the client and the nurse. The most appropriate action for the nurse to take first is to explain the relationship to the charge nurse and ask for reassignment (B). This is important to avoid potential conflicts of interest and maintain objectivity in the care provided. Option A, notifying the friend about confidentiality, may not address the underlying issue of the conflict of interest. Option C, asking the client if the assignment is uncomfortable, may not be appropriate as it puts the client in a difficult position. Option D, accepting the assignment but protecting the client's confidentiality, does not address the conflict of interest and potential ethical issues that may arise from caring for a close friend.
While obtaining a lie-sit-stand blood pressure reading on a client, what action is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Stay with the client while the client is standing.
- B. Record the findings on the graphic sheet in the chart.
- C. Keep the blood pressure cuff on the same arm.
- D. Record changes in the client's pulse rate.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most crucial action for the nurse to implement when obtaining a lie-sit-stand blood pressure reading is to stay with the client while the client is standing. This is essential to monitor the client's immediate response to position changes and ensure their safety. Recording the findings on the graphic sheet is important for documentation but is not as critical as staying with the client. Keeping the blood pressure cuff on the same arm helps maintain consistency in readings but is not as vital as ensuring client safety. Recording changes in the client's pulse rate is important for a comprehensive assessment but does not take precedence over monitoring the client during position changes.
After informing an older client that an IV line needs to be inserted, the client becomes very apprehensive, loudly verbalizing a dislike for all healthcare providers and nurses. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Ask the client to remain quiet so the procedure can be performed safely.
- B. Concentrate on completing the insertion as efficiently as possible.
- C. Calmly reassure the client that the discomfort will be temporary.
- D. Tell the client a joke as a means of distraction from the procedure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should respond with a calm demeanor to help reduce the client's apprehension. By calmly reassuring the client that the discomfort from the procedure will be temporary, the nurse acknowledges the client's feelings and provides comfort. This response shows empathy and understanding, which can help build trust. Asking the client to remain quiet may escalate the situation and not address the client's underlying concerns. Concentrating solely on completing the insertion efficiently may overlook the client's emotional needs and may increase their anxiety. Telling a joke may not be appropriate in this serious situation and could be perceived as insensitive, failing to address the client's emotional distress effectively.
The nurse observes a UAP taking a client's blood pressure in the lower extremity. Which observation of this procedure requires the nurse's intervention?
- A. The cuff wraps around the girth of the leg.
- B. The UAP auscultates the popliteal pulse with the cuff on the lower leg.
- C. The client is placed in a prone position.
- D. The systolic reading is 20 mm Hg higher than the blood pressure in the client's arm.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When obtaining blood pressure in the lower extremities, the popliteal pulse should be auscultated when the blood pressure cuff is applied around the thigh. The nurse should intervene when the UAP is auscultating the popliteal pulse with the cuff on the lower leg because this is incorrect placement. Option A, wrapping the cuff around the girth of the leg, ensures an accurate assessment. Option C, placing the client in a prone position, provides the best access to the artery. The systolic pressure in the popliteal artery is typically 10 to 40 mm Hg higher than in the brachial artery, so a systolic reading 20 mm Hg higher than the blood pressure in the client's arm is within the expected range and does not require intervention.