The nurse is caring for a client receiving an intravenous medication that is a vesicant. The IV flow has stopped and there is pain, burning and swelling at the IV site. What action should the nurse take first?
Elevate the extremity on a pillow
Immediately remove the catheter
Keep the catheter in place
Place a cool compress on the area
The Correct Answer is B
B. When a client experiences symptoms of extravasation, such as pain, burning, and swelling, especially with a vesicant medication, the priority is to stop the infusion and remove the catheter immediately to prevent further tissue damage. Removing the catheter promptly helps minimize the amount of medication that may have leaked into the surrounding tissues.
A. Elevating the extremity on a pillow may help reduce swelling and discomfort in some cases, but it is not the first action the nurse should take when a vesicant medication has caused pain, burning, and swelling at the IV site.
C. Keeping the catheter in place is not advisable when extravasation has occurred, especially with a vesicant medication. Continuing the infusion could lead to further tissue damage and exacerbate the client's symptoms. Removing the catheter is necessary to prevent additional medication from entering the surrounding tissues.
D. While applying a cool compress may provide temporary relief from discomfort, it is not the first action the nurse should take when managing extravasation caused by a vesicant medication. The priority is to stop the infusion, remove the catheter, and assess the extent of tissue damage. Cool compresses may be used after the catheter removal to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Confidentiality refers to the ethical duty of healthcare providers to safeguard patient information and maintain privacy. Upholding confidentiality means that healthcare providers must not disclose sensitive information about a patient to unauthorized individuals without the patient's consent. In this scenario, if the client asks the nurse not to disclose their medical diagnosis to their family members, respecting this request would uphold the principle of confidentiality by protecting the privacy of the patient's health information.
B. Justice in healthcare refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and the provision of healthcare services. While justice is an important ethical principle, it is not directly applicable to the client's request regarding the disclosure of their medical diagnosis to their family members.
C. Veracity, also known as truthfulness, is the ethical principle of honesty and truthfulness in communication with patients. Upholding veracity means providing patients with accurate and truthful information about their health condition and treatment options. In this scenario, if the nurse complies with the client's request not to disclose their medical diagnosis to their family members, it may involve withholding information and not fully disclosing the truth to the family members. Therefore, upholding the client's request may conflict with the principle of veracity.
D. A healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows an individual (the proxy) to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person (the principal) if the principal is unable to make decisions for themselves. The existence of a healthcare proxy does not directly relate to the client's request regarding the disclosure of their medical diagnosis to their family members.
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
A. pH 7.29: A respiratory rate of 6 breaths per minute suggests hypoventilation, which can lead to respiratory acidosis due to retention of carbon dioxide (CO2). A decrease in pH (acidosis) is expected in this scenario.
B. PaCO2 54: In respiratory acidosis, PaCO2 levels are elevated due to inadequate ventilation, leading to CO2 retention. Therefore, an elevated PaCO2 level would be anticipated in this situation.
C. pH 7.51: A pH of 7.51 indicates alkalosis, which is not consistent with the expected respiratory acidosis in the context of opioid overdose and hypoventilation. Therefore, this choice is not anticipated.
D. PaO2 72: Oxygenation may be impaired in opioid overdose due to respiratory depression, but this PaO2 level is within the normal range. Hypoxemia is not typically a prominent feature of respiratory acidosis unless there are concurrent respiratory conditions or complications. Therefore, this choice is not anticipated.
E. PaCO2 31: A PaCO2 level of 31 indicates hypocapnia, which is not consistent with the expected respiratory acidosis in the context of opioid overdose and hypoventilation. Therefore, this choice is not anticipated.
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