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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Skipped eating lunch would more likely cause hypoglycemia rather than diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). When a person with type 1 diabetes skips a meal but still takes insulin, blood glucose levels drop, leading to hypoglycemia, not the elevated glucose and ketone production seen in DKA.

B. Incorrectly administered too much insulin would also result in hypoglycemia rather than DKA. Administering excessive insulin causes blood glucose levels to fall too low, which does not trigger the fat breakdown and ketone production that characterize DKA.

C. Had a cold and ear infection for the past two days is the most likely cause of diabetic ketoacidosis. Illness and infection cause the body to release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which increase blood glucose levels and counteract insulin. In type 1 diabetes, insufficient insulin leads to hyperglycemia, fat breakdown for energy, and the production of ketones, resulting in DKA.

D. Ate an extra peanut butter sandwich before gym class would not cause DKA. Consuming extra food may raise blood glucose temporarily, but it would not lead to the severe insulin deficiency and ketone production seen in DKA, especially if the adolescent took insulin as prescribed.

A. Absence of coarse crackles. B. Increase in respiratory rate. C. Increase in breath sounds. D. Absence of fine crackles.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Correct - The absence of coarse crackles indicates that the airway has been cleared of secretions effectively, and the lung sounds are clearer.
B) Incorrect - An increase in respiratory rate could indicate distress rather than the effectiveness of the intervention.
C) Incorrect - An increase in breath sounds may not necessarily indicate the effectiveness of the intervention, as the quality of breath sounds matters more than the increase.
D) Incorrect - The absence of fine crackles might not directly indicate the effectiveness of the intervention, as other factors can influence lung sounds.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An adolescent who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the age of 9, is admitted to the hospital in diabetic ketoacidosis. Which occurrence is the most likely cause of the ketoacidosis?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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