A nurse notices clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned from lumbar spinal surgery. What should be the nurse’s immediate course of action?
Test the fluid on the dressing for glucose.
Change the dressing using a compression bandage.
Mark the drainage area with a pen and continue to monitor.
Document the findings in the electronic medical record.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Testing the fluid on the dressing for glucose is the immediate course of action when a nurse notices clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned from lumbar spinal surgery. Clear fluid could be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which contains glucose. If the fluid is positive for glucose, it could indicate a CSF leak, which requires immediate medical attention.
Choice B rationale
Changing the dressing using a compression bandage is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice C rationale
Marking the drainage area with a pen and continuing to monitor is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice D rationale
Documenting the findings in the electronic medical record is important, but it is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Offering the client oral fluids is important for hydration, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with certain medical conditions or those who are NPO (nothing by mouth)7.
Choice B rationale
Feeding the client a snack can help maintain energy levels, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with dietary restrictions or those who are NPO7.
Choice C rationale
Assessing breath sounds is an important part of respiratory assessment, but it is not typically within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). This task should be performed by a licensed nurse.
Choice D rationale
Emptying the urinary drainage bag is an appropriate task for a UAP to perform each time the client is turned. This helps ensure accurate measurement of urinary output and prevents infection by keeping the bag below the level of the bladder.
Correct Answer is ["1.8"]
Explanation
The client weighs 132 pounds. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by
2.2. So, the client’s weight in kilograms is: Step 1: 132 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 60 kg The prescription for dantrolene is 1.5 mg/kg. To find out how many milligrams the client should receive, multiply the client’s weight in kilograms by the dosage in mg/kg: Step 2: 60 kg × 1.5 mg/kg = 90 mg The vial is reconstituted to yield a concentration of 50 mg/mL. To find out how many mL the nurse should administer, divide the total dosage in milligrams by the concentration in mg/mL: Step 3: 90 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 1.8 mL So, the nurse should administer 1.8 mL of dantrolene.
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