A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a new prescription for continuous pulse oximetry monitoring. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Warm the skin prior to probe placement.
Reposition the probe every 2 hr.
Tape the wire to the palm of the hand.
Apply the sensor to the index fingernail.
The Correct Answer is B
Answer: B. Reposition the probe every 2 hours.
Rationale:
- A. Warm the skin prior to probe placement: While cold fingers can lead to inaccurate readings, warming the skin is not an essential step and is not routinely recommended in clinical practice.
- B. Reposition the probe every 2 hours: This is correct. Continuous pressure from the probe in one spot can cause skin breakdown and pressure injuries. Repositioning the probe every 2 hours helps to prevent this and ensure accurate readings.
- C. Tape the wire to the palm of the hand: This is incorrect. The pulse oximeter probe should be placed on a vascular site, such as a fingertip or earlobe. Taping the wire to the palm would not provide accurate readings.
- D. Apply the sensor to the index fingernail: This is incorrect. The fingernail does not have sufficient blood flow for accurate pulse oximetry readings. The probe should be placed on the fleshy pad of the fingertip.
Therefore, the most important action for the nurse to take is to reposition the probe every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown and ensure accurate readings.
Additional Points:
- The nurse should also choose a clean and dry site for probe placement.
- The probe should be snug but not too tight.
- The nurse should monitor the child for signs of skin breakdown, such as redness, swelling, or pain.
- If the child is restless or active, the nurse may need to secure the probe with additional tape or a special wrap.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should report the finding of a 6-month-old infant with a spiral fracture to a lower extremity to local authorities. Spiral fractures in infants, especially those who are not yet independently mobile, raise concerns about possible child abuse or non-accidental trauma. The unique pattern of spiral fractures is often associated with twisting forces, which are unlikely to occur accidentally in infants who cannot perform such movements. Reporting such cases is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.
Choice B rationale:
A 9-month-old infant exposed to bedbugs and cellulitis is not an emergency that requires reporting to local authorities. While cellulitis can be serious, it is not an immediate threat to the child's safety, and the focus should be on providing appropriate medical care.
Choice C rationale:
A 4-year-old preschooler with rivalry among siblings does not indicate a need for reporting to local authorities. Sibling rivalry is a common occurrence in families and does not pose a threat to the child's safety. It is a social and developmental issue that can be addressed within the family.
Choice D rationale:
A 24-month-old toddler experiencing occasional incontinence does not require reporting to local authorities. Occasional incontinence can be a normal part of toddler development as they learn to control their bladder. It does not indicate abuse or immediate danger to the child.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choiceb. “Your baby will be placed in elbow restraints following surgery.”
Choice A rationale:
Giving a pacifier to a baby after cleft lip surgery is generally not recommended as it can put pressure on the surgical site and potentially disrupt the healing process.
Choice B rationale:
Elbow restraints are used to prevent the infant from touching or rubbing the surgical site, which helps in protecting the stitches and ensuring proper healing.
Choice C rationale:
Infants are usually allowed to have fluids by mouth soon after surgery, often within a few hours, to ensure they stay hydrated and to monitor their ability to swallow.
Choice D rationale:
Positioning the baby on their abdomen is not recommended as it can put pressure on the surgical site.Instead, the baby should be positioned on their back or side to avoid any pressure on the repaired lip
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