The charge nurse brings a #18 urinary catheter with a 30 mL balloon to the practical nurse (PN) who is preparing to insert a catheter in a female client who weighs 50 kg. Which action should the PN take first?
Obtain a 30 mL syringe and a vial of sterile water.
Ask the client if she has previously been catheterized.
Consult with the charge nurse about the catheter.
Position the client and observe the urinary meatus.
The Correct Answer is C
This is the first action that the PN should take because the catheter size and balloon volume are inappropriate for the client. A #18 urinary catheter is too large for a female client who weighs 50 kg, and a 30 mL balloon may cause bladder trauma or discomfort. The PN should consult with the charge nurse and obtain a smaller catheter (such as #14 or #16) with a 10 mL balloon.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This is the finding that the PN should report to the charge nurse because it indicates a possible complication of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is autonomic dysfunction. This can affect the cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems and cause life-threatening problems such as arrhythmias, hypotension, or respiratory failure. The PN should monitor the client's vital signs closely and report any abnormal changes.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
- A radial pulse is the pulse felt at the wrist, where the radial artery runs along the thumb side of the forearm. It is one of the most common sites for measuring a person's heart rate.
- To measure a radial pulse, the examiner should place two or three fingers over the radial artery, just below the wrist crease, and apply gentle pressure until a pulsation is felt. The examiner should not use the thumb, as it has its own pulse and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. The examiner should count the number of beats for 15, 30, or 60 seconds, depending on the regularity and rate of the pulse.
- In the picture, the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the thumb to measure the radial pulse, which is incorrect. The practical nurse (PN) should demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP and explain why using the thumb is not appropriate. This will help to ensure that the UAP obtains an accurate and reliable pulse rate for the client.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer, while options A, B, and D are incorrect.
Option A is incorrect because instructing the UAP to report any abnormal findings does not address the error in technique.
Option B is incorrect because reminding the UAP to check the pulse volume does not address the error in technique.
Option D is incorrect because confirming the accuracy of the pulse rate obtained by the UAP does not address the error in the technique.
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