A nurse is caring for a client who has an IV in the left forearm and whose infusion pump has alarmed several times. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Check the IV site for redness.
Ensure the tubing connections are secure.
Reposition the client's left arm.
Flush the IV catheter.
The Correct Answer is C
This is because the most common cause of infusion pump alarms is occlusion or obstruction of the IV line, which can be due to kinking, bending, or compression of the tubing or catheter by the client's arm or body position. By repositioning the client's arm, the nurse can relieve the occlusion and restore the flow of the IV fluid.
This action should be done before checking for other possible causes of alarm, such as redness at the IV site (which could indicate infection or inflammation), loose tubing connections (which could cause leakage or air embolism), or clogged IV catheter (which could require flushing with saline or heparin solution).
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A chest physiotherapy vest is a device that delivers high-frequency chest wall oscillation to loosen and mobilize mucus from the airways . This helps improve lung function and prevent respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, who have thick and sticky mucus production . A peak flow meter is used to measure the peak expiratory flow rate, which reflects the degree of airway obstruction in patients with asthma .
An NG tube with suction apparatus is used to decompress the stomach and remove gastric contents in patients with bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, or gastroparesis . A chest tube with a drainage system is used to remove air or fluid from the pleural space in patients with pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should plan to confirm the correct position of the line by obtaining a blood sample, as this is one of the methods to verify placement and patency of a central venous catheter. The nurse should also instruct the client to perform a Valsalva maneuver (bearing down) as the catheter is inserted, place the head of the client's bed higher than 30 degrees, and cleanse the site with an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.
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