The health care provider prescribes IV vancomycin for a patient with pneumonia. Which priority action should the nurse perform before the first dose of the antibiotic?
Check the patient's temperature
Obtain sputum cultures
Check the patient's blood pressure
Draw a blood specimen to evaluate the white blood cell count
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Checking the patient's temperature is important for assessing the severity of the pneumonia and monitoring for fever, but it is not the priority action before administering the first dose of vancomycin.
Choice B reason: Obtaining sputum cultures is the priority action because it allows for the identification of the causative organism and determination of its antibiotic susceptibility. This helps ensure that the prescribed antibiotic is appropriate for the patient's infection. Cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotic therapy to avoid interference with culture results.
Choice C reason: Checking the patient's blood pressure is important for overall patient assessment and monitoring, especially considering potential side effects of vancomycin. However, it is not the primary action needed before the first dose of the antibiotic.
Choice D reason: Drawing a blood specimen to evaluate the white blood cell count is useful for assessing the severity of the infection and the patient's immune response. However, this can be done after obtaining the sputum cultures and is not the immediate priority before administering the antibiotic.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Upper endoscopy is not typically used to diagnose cholecystitis. It is more commonly used to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Choice B reason: Stool samples are not relevant for diagnosing cholecystitis. They are more commonly used to detect gastrointestinal infections or bleeding.
Choice C reason: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a valuable diagnostic tool for cholecystitis, especially when there is suspicion of bile duct obstruction or gallstones.
Choice D reason: Abdominal ultrasound is the most common and preferred imaging test for diagnosing cholecystitis. It can visualize the gallbladder and detect gallstones, inflammation, or other abnormalities.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Preventing skin maceration is not the primary purpose of the reverse Trendelenburg position. Skin maceration typically occurs due to excessive moisture on the skin, and the bed position does not directly address this issue.
Choice B reason: Reducing restenosis, which is the re-narrowing of a blood vessel after it has been treated, is not directly affected by the patient's bed position. Restenosis is more related to the procedure performed and the patient's overall condition rather than positioning.
Choice C reason: Reducing the risk of infection is also not a direct benefit of the reverse Trendelenburg position. Infection prevention involves maintaining sterile techniques, proper wound care, and monitoring for signs of infection.
Choice D reason: Increasing perfusion to the legs is the correct rationale for placing the bed in the reverse Trendelenburg position for a patient with critical limb ischemia. This position helps to improve blood flow to the lower extremities by utilizing gravity to aid in circulation, thus enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the affected tissues.
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.