The nurse working in an emergency center collects physical evidence 6 hours following a reported sexual assault. After placing the samples in sealed containers, which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Maintain possession of the evidence collection kit at all times until submitted to law enforcement
- B. Provide discharge instructions for prophylactic antibiotics, pregnancy, and HIV prevention medication
- C. Document the characteristics of the various sites of sample collection
- D. Assist the client with toileting, hygiene, and dressing with clean clothes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Maintaining possession of the evidence collection kit at all times until submitted to law enforcement is crucial to ensure the integrity of the chain of custody. This step helps prevent tampering or contamination of the evidence, which is vital for the legal process. Providing discharge instructions for medications, documenting sample characteristics, and assisting the client with personal care are important aspects of care but not the immediate priority when handling forensic evidence in a sexual assault case.
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A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter in a female client. Which action should the nurse take to maintain sterile technique?
- A. Apply sterile gloves before inserting the catheter
- B. Use sterile gloves to insert the catheter
- C. Clean the urinary meatus with an antiseptic solution
- D. Place the drainage bag above the level of the bladder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using sterile gloves to insert the catheter is crucial to maintaining sterile technique. Sterile gloves help prevent the introduction of microorganisms during the insertion process. Applying sterile gloves before cleansing the perineal area (Choice A) is important but not specific to maintaining sterility during catheter insertion. Cleaning the urinary meatus with an antiseptic solution (Choice C) is a step in the catheterization process but does not solely ensure sterile technique. Placing the drainage bag above the level of the bladder (Choice D) is incorrect; the bag should be placed below the level of the bladder to facilitate urine drainage.
Which assessment finding is most indicative of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a client's right leg?
- A. Dorsiflexes the right foot and left on command
- B. A 3 by 5 cm ecchymosis area covering the right calf
- C. Right calf is 3 cm larger in circumference than the left
- D. Bilateral lower extremity has 3+ pitting edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because a significant increase in the circumference of the right calf compared to the left calf is a classic sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Option A is incorrect as dorsiflexing the right foot and left on command does not specifically indicate DVT. Option B describes an ecchymosis area which is more indicative of a bruise rather than DVT. Option D suggests bilateral lower extremity edema, which is not specific to DVT and can be seen in various conditions such as heart failure or renal issues.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube in place following a pneumothorax. The nurse notes that there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the chest tube drainage system. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Check for kinks in the tubing
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Replace the chest tube drainage system
- D. Reinforce the chest tube dressing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when observing continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the chest tube drainage system is to notify the healthcare provider. Continuous bubbling indicates a possible air leak, and the healthcare provider needs to be informed to assess the situation and take appropriate actions. Checking for kinks in the tubing (Choice A) may be done initially but is not the priority when continuous bubbling is present. Replacing the chest tube drainage system (Choice C) and reinforcing the chest tube dressing (Choice D) are not immediate actions needed in response to continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
In the newborn nursery, the nurse admits a baby from labor and delivery who is suspected of having a congenital heart disease. Which finding helps to confirm this diagnosis?
- A. Pink lips and tongue with cyanotic hands and feet
- B. Respiration rate of 40 and heart rate of 144
- C. Centralized cyanosis and tachycardia when crying
- D. Desquamation from areas of cracked, parchment-like skin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Centralized cyanosis and tachycardia are classic signs of congenital heart disease. Choice A is incorrect because cyanosis in the hands and feet is not specific to congenital heart disease. Choice B is incorrect as the vital signs provided are not specific indicators of congenital heart disease. Choice D is unrelated to the typical signs of congenital heart disease.
A female client on the mental health unit tells the nurse that her roommate is sitting on the bathroom floor with superficial cuts on her wrists. The nurse cleans and assesses the client's wrists and asks what happened. She doesn't respond. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Find supplies to put a dressing on the client's wrists
- B. Take the client to a room for supervision by staff
- C. Call the healthcare provider to report the client's behavior
- D. Go find a staff member to stay in the room with the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should prioritize the safety of the client. Taking the client to a room for supervision by staff is crucial to ensure immediate safety and further assessment of the client's condition. While cleaning and assessing the client's wrists are important, ensuring ongoing safety and monitoring by staff is the priority. Calling the healthcare provider at this moment may cause delays in providing immediate assistance. Finding supplies to put a dressing on the client's wrists can wait until the client is in a safe environment. Therefore, option B is the best course of action to address the client's safety needs promptly.