A nurse is preparing to provide care to a client who is postoperative following an abdominal hysterectomy 24 hr ago. Which of the following scheduled tasks should the nurse perform first?
Discontinue the client's PCA.
Measure the client's vital signs.
Remove the client's indwelling urinary catheter.
Change the client's abdominal dressing
The Correct Answer is B
A. Discontinue the client's PCA:
The discontinuation of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) may be necessary, but assessing the client's vital signs is a priority to ensure the client's overall stability and response to the surgery.
B. Measure the client's vital signs:
This is the correct answer. Assessing vital signs is a priority postoperatively to monitor the client's physiological status, detect any signs of complications, and guide further interventions.
C. Remove the client's indwelling urinary catheter:
Removing the urinary catheter may be part of the postoperative care plan, but it is not the immediate priority. Vital sign assessment is crucial for overall patient monitoring.
D. Change the client's abdominal dressing:
Changing the abdominal dressing is an important aspect of postoperative care, but assessing vital signs takes precedence to identify any signs of distress or instability.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Complete an incident report.
Reporting a needlestick injury through an incident report is crucial. It documents the details of the incident, which is important for the nurse's safety and for initiating appropriate follow-up actions.
B. Receive a hepatitis C immunization:
There is no specific hepatitis C vaccine available. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Seeking post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up is more relevant in this case.
C. Notify the health department:
Notifying the health department might be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action for the nurse is to report the incident through an incident report within the facility. This allows for prompt internal investigation and necessary measures.
D. Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy:
Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the standard protocol for preventing hepatitis C transmission after a needlestick injury. Antiviral medications might be considered in certain cases for post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C, but this decision should be made after consulting with a healthcare provider or infectious disease specialist based on the specific circumstances of the exposure. Reporting the incident remains the immediate priority.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Perform CPR on the client:
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a critical and time-sensitive intervention during a cardiac arrest. An assistive personnel trained in CPR can initiate chest compressions while awaiting further medical assistance.
B. Assist with airway intubation:
Airway intubation is a more advanced skill typically performed by healthcare providers such as physicians or advanced practice nurses. It is beyond the scope of practice for most assistive personnel.
C. Maintain IV access:
Maintaining IV access may require specific skills and knowledge about medications and fluids. While some assistive personnel may be trained in certain aspects of IV care, the level of expertise needed during a cardiac arrest may be beyond their scope.
D. Place defibrillator pads on the client:
Applying defibrillator pads involves handling medical equipment and making critical decisions about when to deliver a shock. This task is typically performed by healthcare providers trained in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.