A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a syringe needle after administering an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Report the incident to the charge nurse.
Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water.
Go to employee health services.
Complete an incident report.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is important, but it's not the first action to take in this situation. The immediate concern should be addressing the potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct choice. Washing the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water is the first step the nurse should take after an accidental needlestick. It helps reduce the risk of infection by cleaning the wound and removing any potential contaminants.
Choice C rationale:
Going to employee health services is a valid step, but it's not the immediate action needed after an accidental needlestick. Cleaning the wound should come first.
Choice D rationale:
Completing an incident report is important for documentation purposes, but it is not the nurse's first priority in this situation. Immediate wound care takes precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line is the location for palpating the apical pulse, not the pulmonic area. This area is used to assess the heart's apex, particularly for detecting the point of maximal impulse (PMI).
B. The left fifth intercostal space is also associated with the apical pulse, but it lacks the specificity of the midclavicular line, making it less precise for identifying the pulmonic area.
C. The left second intercostal space is the correct location for palpating the pulmonic area. This area is where the pulmonic valve is best auscultated and palpated, allowing for the detection of any abnormal pulsations or sounds related to the pulmonary artery.
D. The right second intercostal space is the location for palpating the aortic area, not the pulmonic area. This site is used to assess the aortic valve and any related abnormalities.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Offering a glass of water to the patient is not a priority action when dealing with a surgical incision that eviscerates. This situation requires immediate intervention to prevent complications related to the evisceration.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms of shock is crucial in this scenario. Evisceration, the protrusion of organs from a surgical incision, can lead to significant blood loss, which may result in shock. Signs of shock include hypotension, tachycardia, pallor, diaphoresis, and altered mental status.
Choice C rationale:
Placing moist sterile gauze over the site is appropriate to prevent the exposed organs from drying out and becoming further damaged. It also helps to reduce the risk of infection. Moist sterile gauze helps maintain a sterile environment and prevents the organs from being exposed to contaminants.
Choice D rationale:
Gently placing the organs back into the abdominal cavity is not within the nurse's scope of practice. This action requires surgical intervention by a healthcare provider. The nurse's role is to provide immediate first aid and notify the surgeon.
Choice E rationale:
Contacting the patient's surgeon is essential. Evisceration is a surgical emergency, and the surgeon needs to be informed promptly to make decisions regarding further interventions. The patient may require emergency surgery to address the evisceration and prevent complications.
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