The patient is a 75-year-old female who has been admitted to the preoperative area in preparation for pacemaker insertion.

She reports that she is undergoing this procedure because her heart rate has been consistently low, she feels constantly fatigued, and she has experienced one episode of fainting due to a low heart rate.

The patient has a history of progressively worsening symptomatic bradycardia and a history of atrial fibrillation, which is controlled by medication.

She has been off anticoagulants for four days in preparation for the procedure.

As the nurse prepares the patient’s plan of care, which four findings would indicate that it would be safe to administer the antibiotic vancomycin?

Potassium level is 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L).

The antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis.

Blood urea nitrogen level is 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L).

The dosage of the antibiotic is within the safe range.

The patient has no known allergies.

The patient has a peripheral IV in a large vein.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B,C,E

Choice A rationale
A potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L) is within the normal range. Potassium is a critical electrolyte in the body, playing key roles in cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, and electrical action potential regulation across cell membranes. Normal potassium levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.1 mmol/L1. Therefore, a potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L indicates that the patient’s potassium level is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice B rationale

The use of antibiotics for prophylaxis, or prevention, is a common practice in healthcare, particularly in surgical procedures such as pacemaker insertion. This is done to prevent potential infections that could occur during or after the procedure. Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic that is often used for prophylaxis against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)3. Therefore, if the antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice C rationale
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L) is within the normal range. The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, which can provide important information about kidney function. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is created in the liver when protein is metabolized. It is then transported through the blood to the kidneys, which filter out most of the urea nitrogen, leaving a small amount in the blood. Normal BUN levels typically range from 6 to 20 mg/dL4. Therefore, a BUN level of 17 mg/dL indicates that the patient’s kidney function is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice E rationale
The absence of known allergies in a patient is a crucial factor in determining the safety of administering any medication, including vancomycin. Allergic reactions to medications can range from mild symptoms such as rash and itching to severe and life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, if a patient has no known allergies, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice D rationale

While it’s true that the dosage of the antibiotic should be within the safe range, the specific dosage of vancomycin for the patient isn’t provided in the question. Therefore, we cannot definitively say that this condition is met based on the information given.
Choice F rationale
Although vancomycin can be administered via a peripheral IV in a large vein, it’s important to note that vancomycin has a low pH and may cause venous irritation and tissue damage in cases of extravasation. Therefore, while it’s possible to administer vancomycin this way, it’s not necessarily an indicator of safety.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While pallor can indicate various health issues such as anemia or low blood flow, it is not the most crucial finding when planning to provide a complete bed bath to a bedfast client.
Choice B rationale
Right-sided paralysis could affect the client’s ability to assist with the bath and could require special care or positioning. However, it is not the most crucial finding in this context.
Choice C rationale
2+ pitting edema of the feet could indicate fluid overload or poor circulation, but it is not the most crucial finding when planning to provide a complete bed bath.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Orthopnea, or difficulty breathing while lying flat, is the most crucial finding in this context. If a client has orthopnea, they may need to be positioned in a way that allows them to breathe comfortably during the bath.

A. Color, clarity, and odor of urine. B. Patient’s ability to increase fluid intake. C. Patient allergies to antiseptic solutions. D. Previous history of urinary tract infections.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While the color, clarity, and odor of urine can provide important information about a patient’s overall health and hydration status, it is not the most crucial information to obtain before inserting an indwelling urinary catheter.
Choice B rationale
The patient’s ability to increase fluid intake can be important in managing various health conditions, but it is not the most important information to obtain before this procedure.
Choice C rationale
Knowing if a patient has allergies to antiseptic solutions is crucial before inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. Using an antiseptic solution that a patient is allergic to can lead to serious complications.
Choice D rationale
While a previous history of urinary tract infections can inform the care and management of a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter, it is not the most important information to obtain before the procedure.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which assessment finding is most crucial when planning to provide a complete bed bath to a bedfast client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Before inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, which information about the patient is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm. After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?

A client who is hypotensive is receiving dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, intravenously (IV) at the rate of 8 mg/kg/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement while administering this medication?

A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been taking pregabalin for the past four days. Which finding would indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?

When formulating a nursing care plan for a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which nursing problem should be given the highest priority?

An intravenous (IV) antibiotic is prescribed for a patient with a postoperative infection. The medication is to be administered in 4 divided doses. Which schedule is best for administering this prescription?