The nurse is caring for a client immediately following a cardioversion. What nursing actions are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
Provide continued sedation.
Remove crash cart from the room.
Assess the chest for burns.
Ensure electrodes are in place for continued monitoring.
Document results of the procedure.
Correct Answer : C,D,E
Choice A Reason:
Provide continued sedation.
Providing continued sedation is not typically necessary after a cardioversion. The sedation used during the procedure is usually short-acting, and the client should begin to wake up shortly after the procedure is completed. Continuous sedation is not required unless there are specific medical reasons, which should be determined by the healthcare provider.
Choice B Reason:
Remove crash cart from the room.
The crash cart should remain in the room until the client is fully stable. Removing it immediately after the procedure is not advisable because the client may still be at risk for complications such as arrhythmias or other cardiac events. Keeping the crash cart nearby ensures that emergency equipment is readily available if needed.
Choice C Reason:
Assess the chest for burns.
Assessing the chest for burns is an important nursing action following a cardioversion. The electrical shock delivered during the procedure can cause burns on the skin where the electrodes were placed. It is essential to check for any signs of burns or skin irritation and provide appropriate care if needed.
Choice D Reason:
Ensure electrodes are in place for continued monitoring.
Ensuring that the electrodes are in place for continued monitoring is crucial. Continuous cardiac monitoring is necessary to observe the client’s heart rhythm and detect any potential complications or recurrence of arrhythmias. Proper placement and function of the electrodes are essential for accurate monitoring.
Choice E Reason:
Document results of the procedure.
Documenting the results of the procedure is a critical nursing action. Accurate documentation includes noting the client’s response to the cardioversion, any complications, and the current heart rhythm. This information is vital for ongoing care and communication with the healthcare team.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E","G"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Adherence to proper hand hygiene
Proper hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in preventing infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Hand hygiene involves washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after patient contact, after touching potentially contaminated surfaces, and before performing any aseptic procedures. This practice helps to reduce the transmission of pathogens that can cause infections in mechanically ventilated patients. Studies have shown that adherence to hand hygiene protocols significantly decreases the incidence of VAP and other healthcare-associated infections.
Choice B Reason: Suction the client at least every 2 hours
While suctioning is an important aspect of care for mechanically ventilated patients, routine suctioning every 2 hours is not recommended. Instead, suctioning should be performed based on the patient’s clinical condition and as needed. Over-suctioning can cause trauma to the airway and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, this choice is not included in the best practices for preventing VAP.
Choice C Reason: Administering antiulcer medication
Administering antiulcer medication is a recommended practice to prevent stress ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding in mechanically ventilated patients. Stress ulcers can lead to complications such as aspiration of gastric contents, which can contribute to the development of VAP. Antiulcer medications, such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists, help to reduce gastric acidity and the risk of ulcer formation. This practice is part of the comprehensive care plan to prevent VAP.
Choice D Reason: Providing oral care per protocol
Providing oral care per protocol is a critical component of VAP prevention. Oral care involves cleaning the patient’s mouth, teeth, and gums to reduce the colonization of harmful bacteria that can be aspirated into the lungs. Protocols for oral care typically include the use of antiseptic solutions, such as chlorhexidine, to disinfect the oral cavity. Regular oral care has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients.
Choice E Reason: Elevating the head of the bed
Elevating the head of the bed to an angle of 30 to 45 degrees is a recommended practice to prevent VAP. This position helps to reduce the risk of aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs, which is a major risk factor for VAP. Elevating the head of the bed also promotes better lung expansion and ventilation, which can improve the patient’s respiratory status. This practice is widely recognized as an effective measure to prevent VAP.
Choice F Reason: Suctioning the client on a regular schedule
Similar to Choice B, routine suctioning on a regular schedule is not recommended. Suctioning should be performed based on the patient’s clinical needs and not on a fixed schedule. Over-suctioning can cause harm and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, this choice is not included in the best practices for preventing VAP.
Choice G Reason: Turning and positioning the client at least every 2 hours
Turning and positioning the client at least every 2 hours is an important practice to prevent complications such as pressure ulcers and to promote lung expansion. Regular repositioning helps to improve ventilation and drainage of secretions, reducing the risk of VAP. This practice is part of the standard care for mechanically ventilated patients to prevent various complications, including VAP.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Aspirating the stomach contents is essential to ensure the nasogastric tube is correctly positioned in the stomach. This step helps verify that the tube has not migrated and is safe for medication administration. If the aspirate is not obtained, further steps should be taken to confirm the tube’s placement.
Choice B Reason:
Checking the residual volume is important to assess the stomach’s contents and ensure that the patient is tolerating the feedings or medications. High residual volumes may indicate delayed gastric emptying or other gastrointestinal issues. This information helps guide the timing and amount of medication administration.
Choice C Reason:
Removing the tube and placing it in the other nostril is not a standard practice before administering medication. This action is unnecessary and could cause discomfort or complications for the patient. The focus should be on verifying the tube’s placement and ensuring it is functioning correctly.
Choice D Reason:
Testing the stomach contents for a pH indicating acidity is a reliable method to confirm the nasogastric tube’s placement. Gastric contents typically have a pH of 1 to 5, indicating the tube is in the stomach. This step helps ensure the safe administration of medications.
Choice E Reason:
Turning off the suction to the nasogastric tube is necessary before administering medications. Suction can interfere with the absorption of the medication and may cause the medication to be removed from the stomach before it has a chance to take effect. Therefore, it is important to turn off the suction temporarily during medication administration.
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