A nurse is caring for a client who received 50,000 units of IV heparin rather than the prescribed 5,000 units. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Complete an incident report.
Check the client for indications of bleeding.
Monitor the client's aPTT levels
Notify the risk manager.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Completing an incident report is not the correct action. An incident report should be completed as part of the hospital's protocol to document the medication error and ensure appropriate follow-up and investigation.
Choice B reason:
Checking the client for indications of bleeding is the correct action to be taken. In this situation, the nurse's first priority should be to assess the client for indications of bleeding, as the client received a significantly higher dose of IV heparin than prescribed. Heparin is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots, and an overdose can increase the risk of bleeding.
After administering the wrong dose of medication, the nurse's immediate concern is the client's safety and well-being. Checking for signs of bleeding, such as petechiae, ecchymosis, hematomas, bleeding gums, melena (black, tarry stools), haematuria (blood in urine), or any other unusual bleeding, is crucial.
Choice C reason:
Monitor the client's aPTT levels: This is not the correct action to be taken. Monitoring the client's activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) levels is essential to assess the client's coagulation status and determine if the overdose of heparin has affected their clotting ability. The healthcare provider may adjust the heparin dosage based on the aPTT levels.
Choice D reason:
Notify the risk manager: This is not the correct action to be taken. The risk manager or appropriate supervisor should be informed about the medication error as soon as possible to initiate a thorough review of the incident and take necessary steps to prevent similar errors in the future.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B. Wear clean cotton socks every day.
This is because cotton socks can help keep the feet dry and prevent infections. Wearing clean socks every day can also prevent blisters and injuries from friction.
Choice A is wrong because soaking feet twice daily can make the skin too soft and prone to injury. It can also wash away natural oils that protect the skin.
Choice C is wrong because rounding the edges of toenails when trimming can cause ingrown nails, which can lead to infection and pain. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and filed smooth.
Choice D is wrong because using moisturizing lotion between the toes can create a moist environment that promotes fungal growth. Moisturizing lotion should be applied to the rest of the feet, but not between the toes.
Some other foot care guidelines for people with diabetes are:
- Inspect your feet daily and look for signs of injury, such as scrapes, cuts, blisters, etc.
- Wash your feet every day in warm water with mild soap.
Hot water and harsh soaps can damage your skin. Check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow before putting your feet in.
- Don’t walk barefoot.
Protect your feet from heat and cold. Wear appropriate fitting shoes to avoid injury and blisters.
- See a doctor to remove corns or calluses (don’t do it yourself). Don’t use chemical wart removers, razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn or callus removers.
- Don’t sit with your legs crossed or stand in one position for long periods of time.
- See your doctor regularly for foot exams and report any problems or changes in your feet.
References:
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Sit at or below the client’s eye level during feedings.
This action helps the client feel more comfortable and less intimidated by the nurse. It also allows the nurse to observe the client’s swallowing and signs of aspiration more easily.
Choice A is wrong because talking with the client during her feeding can distract her from swallowing properly and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should encourage the client to focus on eating and avoid conversation until the feeding is over.
Choice B is wrong because discouraging the client from coughing during feedings can prevent her from clearing her airway and expelling any food particles that might have entered the trachea.
The nurse should monitor the client for coughing, choking, or changes in voice quality, which are indicators of aspiration.
Choice C is wrong because instructing the client to lift her chin when swallowing can actually make swallowing more difficult and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing, which helps close off the trachea and direct food into the esophagus.
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