A nurse is preparing to administer a bisacodyl suppository to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
Don sterile gloves.
Position the client supine with knees bent.
Use a rectal applicator for insertion.
Insert the suppository just beyond the internal sphincter.
Lubricate the index finger.
Correct Answer : D,E
Choice A reason:
Don sterile gloves: While it is important to maintain cleanliness, sterile gloves are not necessary for administering a suppository. Clean, non-sterile gloves are sufficient to prevent infection and ensure hygiene.
Choice B reason:
Position the client supine with knees bent: The correct position for administering a suppository is the left lateral (Sims) position, not supine with knees bent. The left lateral position allows for easier access to the rectum and helps the suppository stay in place.
Choice C reason:
Use a rectal applicator for insertion: Suppositories are typically inserted using a gloved finger, not a rectal applicator. The gloved finger allows for better control and ensures the suppository is placed correctly.
Choice D reason:
Insert the suppository just beyond the internal sphincter: This is correct. The suppository should be inserted past the internal sphincter to ensure it stays in place and can dissolve properly. This placement helps the medication to be absorbed effectively.
Choice E reason:
Lubricate the index finger: Lubricating the index finger is essential to make the insertion process smoother and more comfortable for the client. It helps prevent trauma to the rectal mucosa and ensures the suppository is inserted easily.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Vesicles on the skin are more commonly associated with cutaneous anthrax, not inhalation anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax typically presents with a raised, itchy bump that develops into a painless sore with a black center.
Choice B Reason:
Respiratory failure is a severe and common symptom of inhalation anthrax. Inhalation anthrax begins with flu-like symptoms but can rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress, shock, and often death if not treated promptly.
Choice C Reason:
Flu-like symptoms are indeed an early sign of inhalation anthrax, but they are not specific enough to indicate exposure definitively. These symptoms include sore throat, mild fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Choice D Reason:
Coughing of blood can occur in the later stages of inhalation anthrax as the disease progresses and the respiratory system becomes severely compromised.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A client with a tracheostomy tube attached to humidified oxygen is not typically at risk for hypokalemia. The primary concerns for these clients are maintaining a patent airway, preventing infection, and ensuring adequate humidification to prevent mucus plugging.
Choice B reason:
A client with an indwelling urinary catheter to gravity drainage is not specifically at risk for hypokalemia. The main risks for these clients include urinary tract infections and ensuring proper catheter care to prevent blockages.
Choice C reason:
A client with a chest tube to water seal is primarily at risk for complications related to the chest tube itself, such as infection, pneumothorax, or improper drainage. Hypokalemia is not a common risk associated with chest tubes.
Choice D reason:
A client with a nasogastric tube to suction is at risk for hypokalemia. Continuous suctioning can lead to the loss of gastric contents, which contain potassium, leading to a decrease in potassium levels in the body. This can result in hypokalemia, which needs to be monitored and managed appropriately.

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