A nurse is caring for a patient who will be undergoing a surgical procedure that will take 7 to 8 hours to complete.
What is the appropriate outcome for the diagnosis of perioperative positioning injury related to prolonged immobilization?
The patient’s skin will be free of redness or breakdown when surgery is complete.
The patient’s privacy and dignity will be maintained throughout the procedure.
The patient’s bony prominences will be padded with pressure-reducing cushions.
The patient’s skin will be assessed prior to surgery to identify areas at risk.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Directly addresses the primary goal of preventing perioperative positioning injury: The absence of redness or breakdown in the skin is the most definitive indicator that the patient has not sustained any skin or tissue damage as a result of prolonged immobilization during surgery.
Focuses on the patient outcome, not just interventions: While interventions such as padding bony prominences and assessing skin prior to surgery are important, they are means to achieve the ultimate goal of preventing skin injury. This outcome statement directly measures the success of those interventions.
Aligns with best practices for pressure injury prevention: The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) and other expert organizations emphasize the importance of setting goals that focus on maintaining skin integrity and preventing injury.
Choice B rationale:
Addresses a crucial aspect of patient care, but not directly related to positioning injury: Maintaining privacy and dignity is essential for all patients, but it does not specifically address the risk of skin breakdown from prolonged immobilization.
Not a measurable outcome for positioning injury: It is difficult to objectively assess whether a patient's privacy and dignity have been maintained, making it less suitable as an outcome statement for this particular diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Describes an important intervention, but not a patient outcome: Padding bony prominences is a key strategy to reduce pressure and prevent skin injury. However, it is an action taken by the nurse, not a measurable outcome that reflects the patient's status.
Does not guarantee prevention of injury: Even with appropriate padding, patients can still develop pressure injuries if other risk factors are present or if repositioning is not performed adequately.
Choice D rationale:
Represents an essential assessment step, but not a final outcome: Assessing the skin prior to surgery is important for identifying areas that are at increased risk of breakdown. However, it is a preliminary step in the prevention process, not the ultimate goal.
Does not ensure prevention of injury: Identifying at-risk areas is helpful for targeting interventions, but it does not guarantee that skin breakdown will not occur.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A.
Choice A rationale:
Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani.The spores are found everywhere in the environment, particularly in soil, ash, intestinal tracts/feces of animals and humans, and on the surfaces of skin and rusty tools like nails, needles, barbed wire, etc.Anyone can get tetanus, but the disease is particularly common and serious in newborn babies and pregnant women who have not been sufficiently immunized with tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines.
To ensure that there is adequate antitoxin to neutralize tetanus toxin in the case of a tetanus-prone injury, a booster dose is advised if it has been longer than 10 years since the last tetanus vaccine dose.This is because a single dose of tetanus toxoid produces a rapid anamnestic response. Therefore, if a patient with a puncture wound has not received a tetanus toxoid vaccination in the last 10 years, they would require an additional injection before being discharged from the emergency department.
Choice B rationale:
While it might seem prudent to administer a tetanus toxoid vaccination every year, this is not necessary according to current medical guidelines.Over-vaccination could potentially lead to an increased risk of adverse reactions without providing additional benefits. Therefore, a tetanus toxoid vaccination is not required every year.
Choice C rationale:
A 5-year interval for tetanus toxoid vaccination is not the standard recommendation for general population.However, in some specific cases, such as when indicated for wound management, a tetanus toxoid–containing vaccine might be administered if ≥5 years have elapsed since the previous receipt of any tetanus toxoid–containing vaccine.
Choice D rationale:
A 2-year interval for tetanus toxoid vaccination is not the standard recommendation.The tetanus toxoid vaccination provides protection for a much longer period, and therefore, it is not necessary to administer the vaccine every 2 years.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Shearing force is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of pressure injuries when a patient's body slides downward. It occurs when two surfaces move in opposite directions, causing stress and strain on the tissues between them.
Compression of Tissues: When the patient's body slides downward, the skin and underlying tissues are compressed between the bony prominences (such as the sacrum or heels) and the surface of the bed. This compression restricts blood flow to the area, depriving the tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
Tissue Stretching and Tearing: As the body slides, the skin and underlying tissues are also stretched and pulled in opposite directions. This shearing force disrupts the normal alignment of cells and tissues, leading to microscopic tears and damage.
Impaired Blood Flow: Shearing force further compromises blood flow by stretching and compressing blood vessels. This reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, while also hindering the removal of waste products.
Tissue Damage and Necrosis: The combination of compression, stretching, and impaired blood flow leads to cell death and tissue necrosis. This is the hallmark of pressure injuries, which can range from superficial blisters to deep ulcers that extend into muscle and bone.
Factors that Increase Shearing Force: Certain factors can increase the risk of shearing force and pressure injury development, including:
Increased moisture (from sweat or incontinence) Decreased mobility
Poor skin integrity
Malnutrition
Friction from bedsheets
In conclusion, shearing force is the main factor that contributes to pressure injury formation when a patient's body slides downward. It disrupts blood flow, damages tissues, and can lead to significant wounds.
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