A client receives a prescription for norepinephrine 3 mcg/min intravenously (IV). The IV bag is contains norepinephrine 4 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D,W) 1,000 mL. How many mL/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numerical value only.)

A. Secure chest tube to the stretcher for transport: While securing the chest tube is important to prevent dislodgement during transport, the priority is to ensure proper drainage and prevent air leaks by keeping the chest tube container below the site of insertion.
B. Mark the amount of chest drainage on the container: While it's important to document chest drainage, ensuring proper drainage by keeping the container below the insertion site takes precedence, especially during transport.
C. Keep the chest tube container below the site of insertion: Correct! Keeping the chest tube
container below the site of insertion ensures continuous drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space, which is crucial for maintaining respiratory function and preventing complications such as pneumothorax.
D. Administer PRN pain medication prior to transport: Pain management is important, but in this urgent situation, maintaining proper chest tube function and respiratory support is the priority.

A. Obtain postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty. Rationale: This task is within the scope of practice for a practical nurse, who can monitor and report changes in a patient's vital signs postoperatively.

B. Perform daily surgical dressing change for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy.
Rationale: A practical nurse is trained to perform dressing changes, which is a routine postoperative care task.
C. Initiate patient controlled analgesia (PCA pumps for two clients immediately
postoperatively. Rationale: This task is typically reserved for registered nurses as it requires assessment and specialized knowledge in pain management.
D. Start the second blood transfusion for a client twelve hours following a below knee amputation. Rationale: Initiating blood transfusions is generally the responsibility of a registered nurse due to the complexity and potential complications involved.
E. Administer a dose of insulin per sliding scale for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Rationale: A practical nurse can administer medications, including insulin, as per the sliding scale protocol under the supervision of a registered nurse.