A nurse is providing postoperative care for a child following an arterial cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Remove the child's pressure dressing after the first 4 hours.
Maintain the child's NPO status for 4 to 6 hours.
Keep the affected extremity straight for at least 6 hours.
Monitor output using an indwelling urinary catheter for the first 24 hours.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Removing the child's pressure dressing after the first 4 hours is not recommended as it may increase the risk of bleeding. The pressure dressing is typically kept in place longer to ensure hemostasis.
Choice B reason: Maintaining the child's NPO status for 4 to 6 hours post-procedure is a standard practice to prevent nausea and vomiting while anesthesia wears off, but it is not the most critical action in this context.
Choice C reason: Keeping the affected extremity straight for at least 6 hours is essential to prevent bleeding from the catheterization site. This is a critical postoperative care step following arterial cardiac catheterization.
Choice D reason: Monitoring output using an indwelling urinary catheter for the first 24 hours is important for assessing kidney function and fluid balance but is not the immediate priority post-cardiac catheterization.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Loosening tight clothing around the child's neck is important to ensure that the child can breathe easily and to prevent any additional discomfort or injury during the seizure.
Choice B reason: It is not recommended to firmly hold the child's arms to one side as this can cause injury. Instead, the nurse should ensure the child's safety by clearing the area of any hard or sharp objects.
Choice C reason: Placing a pillow under the child's head can help to protect the head from injury during the seizure. It provides a soft cushion to prevent the child from hitting their head on hard surfaces.
Choice D reason: Inserting a tongue blade into the child's mouth is not advised as it can cause injury to the child's mouth or teeth, and there is a risk of the child biting down and breaking the blade.
Choice E reason: Clearing the area of hard objects is crucial to prevent injury to the child during the seizure. Removing any potential hazards ensures a safer environment for the child to move without harm.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A 24-gauge catheter is appropriate for a small and fragile vein of a 12-month-old infant. It minimizes the risk of damaging the vein and ensures the comfort of the infant during IV therapy.
Choice B reason: Starting an IV in the infant's foot is not the first choice due to the risk of movement dislodging the catheter. The hand or the antecubital fossa are preferred sites for IV insertion in infants.
Choice C reason: While it is important to cover the IV insertion site, an opaque dressing is not necessary. A transparent dressing is preferred as it allows for continuous visibility of the site for signs of infection or phlebitis.
Choice D reason: The IV site should not be routinely changed every 3 days. It should be changed based on clinical indications such as signs of infection, infiltration, or phlebitis, or if the IV becomes dislodged.
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