A nurse is preparing to perform passive range of motion exercises for a client who is immobile. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Prick the side of the client's finger: Pricking the side (lateral aspect) of the fingertip reduces discomfort and provides good blood flow compared to the center of the finger, making it the preferred site for capillary blood sampling.

B. Squeeze the client’s finger until a blood drop forms: Squeezing or "milking" the finger vigorously after the prick can cause hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) and dilute the specimen with interstitial fluid. This can lead to inaccurate results.

C. Elevate the client’s hand above the level of the heart: Elevating the hand above heart level can reduce blood flow to the finger, making it harder to obtain an adequate sample. The hand should be positioned at or slightly below heart level.

D. Apply clean gloves: Wearing clean gloves protects both the client and nurse from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and maintains infection control standards.

E. Cleanse the client’s finger with an iodine swab: Iodine is not typically used for capillary puncture site cleansing due to potential skin irritation and interference with some tests. An alcohol swab is preferred for cleaning before puncture.

A. Syringe: A syringe is essential for irrigating a stage 4 pressure injury to cleanse the wound thoroughly without causing trauma to the tissue. Proper irrigation helps remove debris and bacteria, promoting healing. A syringe allows controlled, gentle flushing of the wound bed, which is important in managing deep, complex wounds like stage 4 pressure injuries.

B. Tongue depressor: A tongue depressor is generally used to examine the throat and oral cavity and is not suitable for wound care. It lacks the precision and safety needed for wound cleaning or dressing application, especially for deep pressure ulcers.

C. Adhesive tape: Adhesive tape is used to secure dressings but is not a primary supply for wound care itself. In managing a stage 4 pressure injury, the priority is proper wound cleaning and dressing materials rather than just securing them, so adhesive tape is secondary.

D. Cotton-tipped applicator: Cotton-tipped applicators are commonly avoided in wound care because they can leave fibers in the wound bed and potentially cause trauma or infection. They are not recommended for cleaning or applying medication to deep pressure ulcers, where more sterile, gentle methods are needed.