A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage III pressure ulcer on his heel. When preparing to irrigate the wound, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Obtain the prescribed irrigation solution.
Don personal protective equipment.
Check the client's pain level.
Place a waterproof pad under the client's extremity.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should obtain the prescribed irrigation solution after assessing the client's pain level and providing analgesia if needed.
Choice B reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should don personal protective equipment after assessing the client's pain level and providing analgesia if needed.
Choice C reason: This is the correct action, because checking the client's pain level is the first step in the wound care process. The nurse should assess the client's pain level using a valid and reliable pain scale, and administer analgesia as prescribed before irrigating the wound.
Choice D reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should place a waterproof pad under the client's extremity after assessing the client's pain level and providing analgesia if needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is an incorrect finding, because ecchymosis of the thigh, or bruising, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of bleeding or hematoma formation due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should monitor the size and color of the ecchymosis and report any changes to the provider.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect finding, because serous drainage at the pin site, or clear fluid, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of normal healing or infection. The nurse should assess the amount, color, and odor of the drainage and report any signs of infection, such as purulent drainage, redness, swelling, or pain, to the provider.
Choice C reason: This is the correct finding, because chest petechiae, or small red spots on the chest, are a sign of fat emboli, which are a rare but serious complication of long bone fractures. Fat emboli occur when fat globules from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, causing respiratory distress, hypoxia, and pulmonary edema. The nurse should report any signs of fat emboli, such as chest petechiae, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, fever, or confusion, to the provider.
Choice D reason: This is an incorrect finding, because muscle spasms in the left leg, or involuntary contractions of the muscles, are not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of pain, inflammation, or nerve injury due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should administer analgesics and muscle relaxants as prescribed, and provide comfort measures, such as massage, ice, or elevation, to the client.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the correct information, because pursed-lip breathing can help improve gas exchange by creating positive pressure in the airways, preventing air trapping and alveolar collapse, and increasing the exhalation time.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect information, because limiting fluid intake to 1,500 ml per day can cause dehydration and thickening of the respiratory secretions, which can impair gas exchange and increase the risk of infection.
Choice C reason: This is an incorrect information, because practicing chest breathing each day can worsen gas exchange by increasing the use of accessory muscles, decreasing the diaphragmatic excursion, and reducing the lung expansion.
Choice D reason: This is an incorrect information, because wearing home oxygen to maintain an SpO2 of at least 94% can be harmful for a client who has emphysema, as it can suppress the hypoxic drive and cause carbon dioxide retention, which can lead to respiratory acidosis and coma. The client who has emphysema should wear home oxygen to maintain an SpO2 of 88% to 92%, or as prescribed by the provider.
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