The post-anesthesia care unit nurse receives a patient from the operating room. Which assessment will the nurse perform first?
Check intravenous lines for patency or redness.
Check nasogastric tube and presence of bowel sounds.
Check airway, lung sounds, and pulse oximetry.
Check Foley catheter and surgical fluid intake.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
While checking intravenous lines for patency and redness is important, it's not the most immediate priority in the post- anesthesia care unit (PACU). Ensuring airway patency and adequate oxygenation takes precedence over IV assessment. Issues with IV lines can usually be addressed quickly if they arise, whereas compromised airway or breathing can rapidly lead to life- threatening complications.
Choice B rationale:
Assessment of nasogastric tubes and bowel sounds is also important, but it's not as urgent as checking the airway and breathing. Bowel sounds may be absent immediately after surgery due to anesthesia and bowel manipulation, and their presence or absence doesn't necessarily indicate an immediate problem. Similarly, nasogastric tubes can be checked and adjusted as needed after ensuring the patient's airway and breathing are stable.
Choice D rationale:
Checking the Foley catheter and surgical fluid intake is essential for monitoring fluid balance and renal function, but it's not a priority over assessing airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Fluid status can be assessed and managed after ensuring the patient's respiratory and circulatory systems are functioning adequately.
Choice C rationale:
Checking the airway, lung sounds, and pulse oximetry is the most critical assessment in the PACU because it ensures that the patient is breathing effectively and has adequate oxygen saturation. This assessment addresses the primary ABCs of patient care:
Airway: The nurse will assess for any obstructions or potential for obstruction, such as swelling, secretions, or the tongue blocking the airway. They will also ensure proper positioning of the head and neck to maintain airway patency.
Breathing: The nurse will listen to lung sounds to evaluate air entry and identify any signs of respiratory distress, such as wheezing, crackles, or decreased breath sounds. They will also monitor respiratory rate and effort.
Circulation: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation in the blood, providing a quick and non-invasive assessment of oxygenation status. It's essential to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.
By prioritizing the assessment of airway, lung sounds, and pulse oximetry, the nurse can quickly identify and intervene in any respiratory or oxygenation issues, preventing potentially life-threatening complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can cause pain, itching, and bleeding. Sitz baths are a common and effective treatment for hemorrhoids because they can help to:
Reduce inflammation and pain Promote healing
Relax the anal sphincter muscles Cleanse the anal area
Warm water helps to increase blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce swelling and inflammation. The water also helps to soothe and cleanse the irritated tissues.
Sitz baths are typically taken for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day. They can be taken in a bathtub or a special sitz bath basin that fits over a toilet seat.
Choice B rationale:
A fractured right arm would not benefit from a sitz bath. Sitz baths are specifically for treating the anal and rectal area.
Choice C rationale:
An abscessed tooth would not benefit from a sitz bath. Sitz baths are specifically for treating the anal and rectal area.
Choice D rationale:
Painful back muscle spasms would not benefit from a sitz bath. Sitz baths are specifically for treating the anal and rectal area.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The dorsal gluteal site (also known as the dorsogluteal site) was previously a common injection site, but it's now not recommended due to several significant risks:
Proximity to the sciatic nerve: The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and it runs close to the dorsal gluteal site. Accidental injection into or near the nerve can cause severe pain, nerve damage, and potential paralysis.
Difficulty in locating landmarks: The landmarks for the dorsal gluteal site can be difficult to locate accurately, especially in obese patients or those with decreased muscle mass. This increases the risk of injecting into the wrong area.
Risk of injury to blood vessels: The dorsal gluteal site also has a higher risk of injury to blood vessels, as several large vessels run through the area.
Choice B rationale:
The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is a common site for intramuscular injections, but it has limitations for larger volumes:
Small muscle size: The deltoid muscle is relatively small compared to other IM injection sites. It's generally recommended for smaller volumes of medication (up to 1 mL in adults).
Subcutaneous tissue: The deltoid muscle often has a layer of subcutaneous tissue (fat) that can hinder absorption of medication.
Choice C rationale:
The vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in adults for several reasons:
Large muscle size: It's a large, thick muscle that can accommodate larger volumes of medication (up to 5 mL in adults). Easy to locate landmarks: The landmarks for the vastus lateralis are easy to identify, even in obese patients.
Few major nerves or blood vessels: It has fewer major nerves or blood vessels in the area, reducing the risk of injury. Pain tolerance: It's generally considered to be a less painful injection site than the deltoid or dorsogluteal sites.
Choice D rationale:
The lateral piriformis muscle is not a recognized or recommended site for intramuscular injections. It's a deep muscle located in the buttocks, and injecting into it would be difficult and potentially dangerous due to its proximity to the sciatic nerve and other important structures.
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