A nurse is caring for a school-age child who is 2 hr postoperative following cardiac catheterization.

The nurse observes blood on the child’s dressing.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Respite care is a service that provides short-term inpatient care for terminally-ill patients at a professional care facility, such as a hospital, hospice inpatient care facility, or nursing home. It is meant to relieve caregiver stress and offer them rest and time away from caregiving duties. Respite care is covered by Medicare for up to five consecutive days and no more than one respite period in a single billing period.
The nurse should offer this option to the son who is experiencing sleep deprivation due to caring for his mother.
Choice B is wrong because it suggests that the son should rely on medication to cope with his situation, which may not be appropriate or effective.
Sleeping pills may have side effects or interactions with other drugs, and they do not address the underlying cause of the son’s stress and fatigue.
Choice C is wrong because it does not acknowledge the son’s need for support or assistance. It may sound like an empty compliment or a dismissal of the son’s concerns.
The nurse should express empathy and compassion, but also provide information and resources that can help the son.
Choice D is wrong because it does not offer any solution or guidance to the son.
It may also sound like a cliché or a generalization that does not reflect the son’s unique experience.
The nurse should avoid making assumptions or judgments about the son’s feelings or situation, and instead focus on his needs and preferences.

The correct answer is c. Remove the cap and place it sterile-side up on a clean surface.

Choice A rationale:

Placing sterile gauze over areas of spilled solution within the sterile field is incorrect. If solution is spilled within the sterile field, the entire field should be considered contaminated and a new sterile field should be set up

Choice B rationale:

Holding the irrigation solution bottle with the label facing away from the palm of the hand is incorrect. The label should face the palm of the hand to avoid contamination of the sterile field

Choice C rationale:

Removing the cap and placing it sterile-side up on a clean surface is correct. This ensures that the sterile side of the cap remains sterile and can be used to recap the bottle after pouring the solution

Choice D rationale:

Holding the bottle in the center of the sterile field when pouring the solution is incorrect. The bottle should be held over the edge of the sterile field to avoid contamination of the field if solution spills