A nurse is assessing a client's cardiovascular system. To palpate for unexpected pulsations in the pulmonic area, at which anatomical location should the nurse place her fingers?

The correct answer is choice A. Transparent dressing.

Choice A rationale:

Transparent dressings are appropriate for stage I pressure ulcers. These dressings provide a moist environment that promotes healing and protects the wound from external contaminants. They are also transparent, allowing the nurse to monitor the wound without removing the dressing. As stage I pressure ulcers involve intact skin with non-blanchable redness, these dressings aid in preventing friction and shear forces that could exacerbate the injury.

Choice B rationale:

Alginate dressings (Choice B) are not suitable for stage I pressure ulcers. Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and are generally used for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate, such as infected wounds or those with necrotic tissue. They may not be the best choice for a stage I pressure ulcer, which is characterized by superficial skin involvement without exudate or necrosis.

Choice C rationale:

Hydrogel dressings (Choice C) are beneficial for wounds with minimal to no exudate, but they are more appropriate for partial-thickness wounds, burns, or dry wounds. They provide a moist environment and promote autolytic debridement. However, in the case of a stage I pressure ulcer, where the skin is intact and there is no exudate, hydrogel dressings may not be the ideal choice.

Choice D rationale:

Wet-to-dry gauze dressings (Choice D) involve placing moist saline gauze onto a wound bed and allowing it to dry before removal. This method is used for mechanical debridement of wounds with necrotic tissue, and it's not suitable for a stage I pressure ulcer. In fact, using wet-to-dry dressings on a superficial wound could cause trauma and hinder healing.

Choice A rationale:

Drowsiness is not a typical finding associated with hypoxia. Hypoxia often leads to increased alertness and anxiety as the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Drowsiness might be seen in severe cases of hypoxia, but it's not a consistent finding.

Choice B rationale:

Jaundice is not directly related to hypoxia. Jaundice is usually caused by elevated bilirubin levels due to liver dysfunction or other underlying issues. It is not a primary manifestation of hypoxia.

Choice C rationale:

Flushed pink cheeks can be an indicator of increased blood flow to the skin, which might occur as the body tries to compensate for hypoxia. However, this finding is not as consistent or specific as tachycardia in cases of hypoxia.

Choice D rationale:

Tachycardia, or an abnormally rapid heart rate, is a common physiological response to hypoxia. The body attempts to deliver more oxygen to tissues by increasing the heart rate. This compensatory mechanism helps maintain tissue perfusion in the face of reduced oxygen levels.