A patient is recuperating in the critical care unit following a cardiac catheterization.
IV nitroglycerin and heparin are being administered.
The patient is sedated but responds to verbal instructions.
After changing positions, the patient reports pain at the right groin insertion site.
What action should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale

Prompting the nurse to apply povidone to the site is not the correct action in this scenario. Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery. It is not typically used in the process of irrigating an intravenous catheter.

Choice B rationale

Directing the nurse to attach the luer-lock tip to the irrigation port is the correct action. A luer-lock syringe is commonly used in medical procedures, including the irrigation of an intravenous catheter. The luer-lock tip provides a secure connection to prevent leaks and ensure that the irrigation solution is delivered directly to the catheter.

Choice C rationale

Sending an unlicensed assistive personnel to gather equipment is not the most appropriate action in this scenario. The new nurse has already gathered the necessary equipment for the procedure.

Choice D rationale

Instructing the nurse to use water with 5% dextrose (D5W) is not the correct action. D5W is a type of intravenous fluid used to correct dehydration and provide calories to the patient. It is not typically used for irrigating an intravenous catheter.

Choice A rationale

Serum albumin levels can be relevant in assessing nutritional status and the body’s ability to heal wounds. However, they do not directly indicate the presence of infection or purulent drainage.

Choice B rationale

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated hematocrit may indicate dehydration or hemoconcentration but does not specifically address the issue of wound infection.

Choice C rationale

Serum blood glucose (BG) level is not directly related to the presence of purulent drainage at a burn wound site. Elevated BG levels might be seen in clients with diabetes or as a stress response, but they are not the primary indicator of infection or wound complications.

Choice D rationale

Neutrophil count is a key laboratory value to note when a client with a full-thickness burn has purulent drainage at the wound. An elevated neutrophil count can indicate an infection, which could be the cause of the purulent drainage.