A medical assistant is applying EKG electrodes to a patient who is sweating profusely and reports chest pain. Which of the following actions should the assists take to acquire an adequate tracing?
Ensure the skin is clean and dry.
Apply conductive gel to the patient's chest.
Shave the electrode sites.
Place the electrodes below the clavicle.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Ensure the skin is clean and dry. This is the correct action. Sweating can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality, so the skin should be cleaned and dried to ensure a good contact for accurate EKG readings.
B. Apply conductive gel to the patient's chest. Conductive gel is typically used with certain types of electrodes, but in the case of disposable adhesive EKG electrodes, it is not necessary and may not improve tracing quality.
C. Shave the electrode sites. Shaving may be necessary if the patient has a lot of body hair, but it is not the first step when dealing with sweating. Drying the skin is more immediate and essential.
D. Place the electrodes below the clavicle. Electrode placement should follow standard EKG guidelines, and moving them to non-standard positions like below the clavicle can result in inaccurate readings.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Biannually: Biannual exams may not be frequent enough to monitor for diabetic retinopathy or other eye complications associated with diabetes. Annual exams are recommended.
B. Every 5 years: Waiting 5 years between exams is too long, as eye complications from diabetes can develop rapidly.
C. Annually: Annual dilated eye exams are recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus to monitor for diabetic retinopathy and other complications, allowing for early detection and treatment.
D. Every 10 years: A 10-year interval is far too long and could result in the progression of untreated eye disease, which could lead to blindness
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Have the patient sit upright: The patient should be kept in a position that promotes blood flow to vital organs; sitting upright may exacerbate shock.
B. Keep the patient cool: The patient should be kept warm to help maintain body temperature and prevent further complications.
C. Give fluids to the patient orally: In cases of shock, fluids should be administered intravenously by medical professionals to ensure proper management.
D. Elevate the patient's feet 8 to 12 inches: Elevating the patient's feet helps to increase blood flow to the vital organs by promoting venous return to the heart.
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