A nurse is preparing to administer an oral elixir to a 3-month-old infant using an oral medication syringe. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Measure the elixir in a medicine cup before transferring to a syringe
Place the infant supine in a crib prior to administration.
Position the syringe to the side of the infant's tongue.
Mix the medication with 10 mL of formula.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Measure the elixir in a medicine cup before transferring to a syringe:
This option involves measuring the medication using a medicine cup before transferring it to an oral medication syringe. While measuring the medication accurately is important, transferring it from a medicine cup to a syringe introduces an extra step that may increase the risk of spillage or dosage error. It's generally more efficient and accurate to directly draw the medication into the oral syringe.
B. Place the infant supine in a crib prior to administration:
Placing the infant in a supine (lying flat on the back) position in a crib prior to administering oral medication is not recommended, particularly for infants of this age. This position increases the risk of choking or aspiration, as it may cause the medication to flow toward the back of the throat rather than being swallowed properly. It's safer to administer oral medication to infants in an upright or slightly reclined position.
C. Position the syringe to the side of the infant's tongue:
This is the correct choice. Positioning the syringe to the side of the infant's tongue helps facilitate swallowing and reduces the risk of choking or aspiration. Placing the syringe toward the cheek allows the infant to more easily swallow the medication, as it minimizes the chance of the medication flowing toward the back of the throat.
D. Mix the medication with 10 mL of formula:
Mixing medication with formula is not a standard practice for administering oral medication using an oral syringe, particularly without specific instructions from the healthcare provider. Mixing medication with formula may alter the medication's effectiveness and is unnecessary for most oral medications. It's important to administer oral medication directly using an oral syringe to ensure accurate dosing and effectiveness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Apical:
The apical pulse is the most reliable location to assess the pulse in infants. It is located at the apex of the heart, which is typically found at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line. Assessing the apical pulse allows for a direct measure of the heart rate and rhythm, which is especially important in infants to evaluate cardiac function accurately. The apical pulse is commonly assessed using a stethoscope placed at the point of maximum impulse (PMI) on the chest.
B. Dorsalis pedis:
The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot, typically in the region between the first and second metatarsal bones. While the dorsalis pedis pulse can be palpated in older children and adults, it may be difficult to palpate accurately in infants, especially those with smaller or more delicate feet. Therefore, it is not the preferred site for pulse assessment in infants.
C. Temporal:
The temporal pulse is located on the side of the head, just above the ear. While the temporal pulse can be palpated in some individuals, it is not typically used to assess the pulse in infants. Palpating the temporal pulse in infants may be more challenging and less reliable compared to other pulse sites, especially given the smaller size of the temporal artery in infants.
D. Carotid:
The carotid pulse is located in the neck, alongside the trachea, and can be palpated by gently pressing the fingers against the carotid artery. While the carotid pulse is easily palpable in adults and older children, it is not typically the preferred site for pulse assessment in infants. Palpating the carotid pulse in infants carries a risk of injury to the delicate structures in the neck and may not provide an accurate representation of the pulse rate.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Overriding aorta: In Tetralogy of Fallot, the aorta is positioned over the ventricular septal defect (VSD), rather than solely over the left ventricle as it would be in a normal heart. This is called overriding aorta, which allows blood from both the right and left ventricles to enter the aorta.
B. Pulmonary stenosis: This is a critical component of Tetralogy of Fallot. Pulmonary stenosis refers to narrowing of the pulmonary valve or the area just below it, which restricts blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This results in decreased blood flow to the lungs for oxygenation.
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy: This choice is not typically associated with Tetralogy of Fallot. Left ventricular hypertrophy refers to an enlargement or thickening of the muscular wall of the left ventricle of the heart. It is often seen in conditions where the left ventricle has to work harder to pump blood, such as in hypertension or aortic stenosis, but it is not a characteristic feature of Tetralogy of Fallot.
D. Ventricular septal defect: This defect is one of the four components of Tetralogy of Fallot. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the septum, the muscular wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart. In Tetralogy of Fallot, the VSD allows oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to flow directly into the left ventricle and out to the body.
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