Nokea
The nurse is preparing to administer an opioid to a client via an epidural catheter. Before administering the medication, the nurse aspirates and obtains 5 mL of clear fluid. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Inject the opioid slowly.
- B. Notify the anesthesiologist.
- C. Inject the aspirate back into the catheter and administer the opioid.
- D. Flush the catheter with 6 mL of sterile water before injecting the opioid.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspiration of clear fluid of less than 1 mL is indicative of epidural catheter placement. More than 1 mL of clear fluid or bloody return means that the catheter may be in the subarachnoid space or a vessel. Therefore, the nurse would not inject the medication and would notify the anesthesiologist. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect actions.
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The nurse in the postpartum unit is assessing for signs of breast-feeding problems demonstrated by either the newborn or the mother. Which findings indicate a problem? Select all that apply.
- A. The infant exhibits dimpling of the cheeks.
- B. The infant makes smacking or clicking sounds.
- C. The mother's breast gets softer during a feeding.
- D. Milk drips from the mother's breast occasionally.
- E. The infant falls asleep after feeding less than 5 minutes.
- F. The infant can be heard swallowing frequently during a feeding.
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Infant signs of breast-feeding problems include dimpling of the cheeks; making smacking or clicking sounds; falling asleep after feeding less than 5 minutes; refusing to breast-feed; tongue thrusting; failing to open the mouth at latch-on; turning the lower lip in; making short, choppy motions of the jaw; and not swallowing audibly. Softening of the breast during feeding, noting milk in the infant's mouth or dripping from the mother's breast occasionally, and hearing the infant swallow are signs that the infant is receiving adequate nutrition.
The nurse is preparing to initiate a bolus enteral feedings via nasogastric (NG) tube to a client. Which action represents safe practice by the nurse?
- A. Checking the volume of the residual after administering the bolus feeding
- B. Aspirating gastric contents before initiating the feeding to ensure that pH is greater than 9
- C. Elevating the head of the bed to 25 degrees and maintaining that position for 30 minutes after feeding
- D. Verifying correct nasogastric tube position with aspiration and administration of air bolus with auscultation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After initial radiographic confirmation of NG tube placement, methods used to verify nasogastric tube placement include measuring the length of the tube from the point it protrudes from the nose to the end, injecting 10 to 30 mL of air into the tube and auscultating over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and aspirating the secretions and checking to see if the pH is less than 3.5 (safest method). Residual should be assessed before administration of the next feeding. Fowler's position is recommended for bolus feedings, if permitted, and should be maintained for 1 hour after instillation.
The nurse is caring for a client who will be taught to ambulate with a cane. Before cane-assisted ambulation instructions begin, what should the nurse check for as the priority to assure client safety?
- A. A high level of stamina and energy
- B. Self-consciousness about using a cane
- C. Full range of motion in lower extremities
- D. Balance, muscle strength, and confidence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the client's balance, strength, and confidence helps determine if the cane is a suitable assistive device for the client. A high level of stamina and full range of motion are not needed for walking with a cane. Although body image (self-consciousness) is a component of the assessment, it is not the priority.
The nurse is scheduling a client for a series of diagnostic studies of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Which of these studies should the nurse schedule last to avoid altering the results of the remaining tests?
- A. Ultrasound
- B. Colonoscopy
- C. Barium enema
- D. Computed tomography
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When barium is instilled into the lower GI tract, it may take up to 72 hours to clear the GI tract. The presence of barium could cause interference with obtaining clear visualization and accurate results of the other tests listed if performed before the client has fully excreted the barium. For this reason, diagnostic studies that involve barium contrast are scheduled at the conclusion of other medical imaging studies.
The nurse monitoring a preterm newborn infant for manifestations of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) should assess the infant for which manifestations? Select all that apply.
- A. Cyanosis
- B. Tachypnea
- C. Retractions
- D. Nasal flaring
- E. Acrocyanosis
- F. Grunting respirations
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: The newborn infant with RDS may present with clinical manifestation of cyanosis, tachypnea or apnea, chest wall retractions, audible grunts, or nasal flaring. Acrocyanosis, the bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, is associated with immature peripheral circulation and is not uncommon in the first few hours of life.