A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a needle after administering an intramuscular (IM) injection to a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water.
Notify employee health services.
Complete an incident report.
Report the incident to the charge nurse.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Washing the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water is the first and most immediate action the nurse should take. This step helps to reduce the risk of infection by removing any potential contaminants from the puncture site. It is a crucial initial response to any needlestick injury to minimize the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Proper hand hygiene is essential in preventing infections and ensuring the safety of healthcare workers.
Choice B Reason:
Notifying employee health services is an important step that should follow the initial first aid. Employee health services will provide further evaluation, testing, and follow-up care as needed. They will also guide the nurse on any necessary post-exposure prophylaxis and additional steps to take. However, this is not the first action to take immediately after the injury.
Choice C Reason:
Completing an incident report is a necessary step to document the needlestick injury. This report helps in tracking and preventing future incidents, ensuring that proper protocols are followed, and providing data for workplace safety improvements. While important, this step should be taken after the initial first aid and notification of employee health services.
Choice D Reason:
Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is also an important step in the process. The charge nurse needs to be informed about the incident to ensure that appropriate follow-up actions are taken and to provide support to the affected nurse. However, this step should come after the immediate first aid and notification of employee health services.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate their decisions. These documents typically include a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The living will specifies the types of medical treatment a person wishes to receive or avoid, while the durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on their behalf.
Choice A Reason:
“I will get my regular doctor to approve my plan before I hand it in to the hospital.”
This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the purpose of advance directives. While it is important to discuss your advance directives with your healthcare provider, the primary purpose of these documents is to communicate your wishes regarding medical treatment, not to seek approval from your doctor. The advance directive is a personal document that reflects your values and preferences for medical care.
Choice B Reason:
“I know they won’t go ahead with the surgery unless I prepare these forms.”
This statement also reflects a misunderstanding. While having advance directives in place is highly recommended, it is not typically a prerequisite for undergoing surgery. Advance directives are important for ensuring that your medical wishes are respected, but they are not mandatory for surgical procedures. The focus should be on making sure your wishes are known and documented, rather than on the necessity of the forms for surgery.
Choice C Reason:
“I plan to write that I do not want them to keep me on a breathing machine.”
This statement correctly reflects the purpose of an advance directive. It shows that the patient understands that they can specify their preferences for medical treatment, such as whether or not they want to be kept on a breathing machine. This type of instruction is a common component of a living will, which is part of an advance directive. It ensures that healthcare providers are aware of the patient’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments.
Choice D Reason:
“I would rather have my brother make decisions for me, but I know he has to be my wife.”
This statement is incorrect and confusing. It seems to mix up the roles of different individuals. In an advance directive, you can designate a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for healthcare, who can be any trusted person, not necessarily a spouse. The statement also contains a factual error, as it implies that the brother must be the patient’s wife, which is not possible. The correct understanding is that you can choose any trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Loperamide should not be used if diarrhea is infectious is correct. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication that works by slowing down gut movement. However, if the diarrhea is caused by an infection, such as from spoiled food, it is important to allow the body to expel the infectious agents. Using loperamide in such cases can prolong the infection and potentially worsen the condition.
Choice B Reason:
You can take loperamide until the diarrhea stops is incorrect. While loperamide can be effective for non-infectious diarrhea, it is not recommended for infectious diarrhea. Stopping the diarrhea prematurely can trap the infectious agents in the intestines, leading to more severe symptoms.
Choice C Reason:
Loperamide has no side effects is incorrect. Loperamide can have side effects, including constipation, dizziness, and abdominal pain. It is important to use this medication under the guidance of a healthcare provider, especially in cases of infectious diarrhea.
Choice D Reason:
Loperamide should not stop this type of diarrhea is incorrect. While it is true that loperamide should not be used for infectious diarrhea, the statement is misleading. Loperamide can stop diarrhea, but it is not appropriate for all types of diarrhea, particularly those caused by infections.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
