The practical nurse (PN) observes a newly hired unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is counting a client's radial pulse as seen in the picture. Which action should the PN take?
Instruct the UAP to report any abnormal findings.
Remind the UAP to check the client's pulse volume.
Demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP.
Confirm the accuracy of the pulse rate obtained by the UAP.
The Correct Answer is C
- A radial pulse is the pulse felt at the wrist, where the radial artery runs along the thumb side of the forearm. It is one of the most common sites for measuring a person's heart rate.
- To measure a radial pulse, the examiner should place two or three fingers over the radial artery, just below the wrist crease, and apply gentle pressure until a pulsation is felt. The examiner should not use the thumb, as it has its own pulse and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. The examiner should count the number of beats for 15, 30, or 60 seconds, depending on the regularity and rate of the pulse.
- In the picture, the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the thumb to measure the radial pulse, which is incorrect. The practical nurse (PN) should demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP and explain why using the thumb is not appropriate. This will help to ensure that the UAP obtains an accurate and reliable pulse rate for the client.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer, while options A, B, and D are incorrect.
Option A is incorrect because instructing the UAP to report any abnormal findings does not address the error in technique.
Option B is incorrect because reminding the UAP to check the pulse volume does not address the error in technique.
Option D is incorrect because confirming the accuracy of the pulse rate obtained by the UAP does not address the error in the technique.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Log-rolling is a technique of moving a client as a unit without twisting or bending the spine, which is used for clients with spinal injuries or surgeries. After log-rolling a client to a lateral position, the PN should place pillows to maintain alignment and prevent pressure ulcers or nerve damage. The pillows should be placed under the head, neck, upper arm, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and lower leg.
The other options are not correct because:
A. Raising the head of the bed 30 degrees is not necessary or appropriate after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it can cause shearing forces or compromise the spinal stability. The head of the bed should be kept flat or slightly elevated during log rolling.
B. Measuring blood pressure and pulse rate is not the immediate intervention after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it does not ensure the comfort or safety of the client. The PN should monitor the vital signs before and after log-rolling, but not during or immediately after.
C. Flexing legs and placing a blanket between legs is not the immediate intervention after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it does not support the spine or prevent pressure ulcers or nerve damage. The PN should keep the legs straight and aligned with the body during log-rolling, and place a pillow under the lower leg after log-rolling.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination is recommended for adults aged 60 years and older, regardless of whether they have had shingles or chicken pox before. The vaccine can reduce the risk of developing shingles and its complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia.
The other options are not correct because:
a. The vaccine is useful even if the person has had a case of shingles before, as shingles can recur in some people. The vaccine can prevent or reduce the severity of future episodes.
c. The person needs to get this vaccination even if they have had chicken pox, as shingles is caused by the reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox (varicella-zoster virus). The vaccine can boost the immunity against the virus and prevent it from reactivating.
d. The vaccination does not minimize outbreaks of cold sores, as cold sores are caused by a different virus (herpes simplex virus). The vaccine has no effect on this virus or its symptoms.
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