Which equipment should the nurse use to most accurately measure a 2 mL dose of viscous liquid solution to be administered orally?
3 mL syringe.
One ounce medicine cup.
Tuberculin syringe.
3 mL syringe and a sterile needle.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice a reason: A 3 mL syringe is the most accurate device for measuring a 2 mL dose of a viscous liquid solution due to its design and gradation precision. Syringes provide clearly marked measurement lines, allowing for highly accurate dosing, especially for amounts as small as 2 mL. For viscous liquids, the controlled plunger mechanism of a syringe ensures smooth and consistent measurement and delivery. This is critical in nursing practice, as even slight deviations in medication dosing can lead to therapeutic failures or adverse effects. Additionally, syringes are designed to handle a variety of liquid viscosities, reducing the likelihood of measurement errors caused by sticking or uneven flow. By eliminating the need for visual estimation common with other tools, the syringe minimizes user error and enhances patient safety. The 3 mL capacity ensures the nurse can measure the exact dose without overloading or underutilizing the equipment, maintaining both precision and ease of use.
Choice b reason: A one-ounce medicine cup is less accurate for measuring a 2 mL dose due to its relatively larger size and less precise measurement gradations. Medicine cups are typically designed for measuring larger volumes, such as 5 mL, 15 mL, or more, and are not ideal for small doses. The wide surface area and less detailed markings make it difficult to accurately align the liquid level to the desired measurement, especially for small amounts like 2 mL. This can result in over- or under-dosing, which is particularly problematic when administering potent medications. Additionally, the open design of medicine cups may make pouring viscous liquids challenging, as the liquid may stick to the sides of the cup, leading to further inaccuracies. While convenient for larger doses or liquid mixtures, the medicine cup does not offer the precision required for small, specific dosages in clinical practice.
Choice c reason: A tuberculin syringe, which has a capacity of 1 mL, is specifically designed for administering very small doses, such as subcutaneous or intradermal injections. Using it for a 2 mL dose is impractical and could lead to dosing errors. The nurse would need to fill the syringe twice to administer the full 2 mL, increasing the risk of cumulative measurement inaccuracies. This approach is also time-consuming and may lead to wastage of the medication, as viscous liquids can leave residue inside the syringe, further complicating the dose calculation. Additionally, the markings on a tuberculin syringe are optimized for fractions of a milliliter, not for whole milliliter increments, making it unsuitable for measuring a 2 mL dose. Using this tool for a dose beyond its designed capacity contradicts best practices in nursing, which emphasize using equipment tailored to the specific requirements of the medication and patient.
Choice d reason: Using a 3 mL syringe with a sterile needle is unnecessary and not recommended for administering an oral medication. While the 3 mL syringe itself is suitable for measuring a 2 mL dose, the inclusion of a sterile needle is irrelevant and introduces an additional risk of improper administration. Oral medications are not meant to be injected, and the presence of a needle could lead to accidental use or injury. Furthermore, sterile needles are specifically intended for invasive procedures, such as intramuscular or intravenous injections, and their inclusion in an oral medication protocol is not only superfluous but also contraindicated. The presence of the needle complicates the preparation process without providing any benefit, detracting from the simplicity and efficiency of administering the medication orally. In nursing practice, ensuring that the equipment matches the route of administration is crucial to patient safety and protocol adherence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Offering reassurance that she is not alone is not the best action to take first. It may sound dismissive of her feelings and make her feel more isolated.
Choice B reason: Explaining that alternative treatment options may be helpful is not the best action to take first. It may give false hope or imply that the wife is not accepting the reality of her husband's condition.
Choice C reason: Encouraging the wife to share her feelings is the best action to take first. It shows empathy and respect for her emotional state. It also allows the nurse to assess her coping skills and provide appropriate support.
Choice D reason: Reminding her that her husband may still live a long time is not the best action to take first. It may contradict the medical prognosis and make the wife feel more confused and anxious.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Removing the nasal cannula is not appropriate as it would deprive the client of supplemental oxygen. The client's oxygen saturation is below the normal range of 95% to 100%, indicating hypoxemia.
Choice B reason:While increasing oxygen might seem appropriate, this should only be done after verifying the accuracy of the pulse oximeter reading and assessing the client’s overall condition. Automatically increasing oxygen without further assessment could delay addressing other underlying issues or lead to over-oxygenation in clients with certain conditions like COPD.
Choice C reason:The first step is to ensure the accuracy of the pulse oximeter reading by checking its placement and ruling out factors that can interfere with accurate readings, such as poor circulation, cold extremities, nail polish, or motion artifacts. This ensures that the subsequent intervention is based on reliable data.
Choice D reason: Switching to a non-rebreather mask is not necessary as it would deliver a high concentration of oxygen (up to 100%) that may be excessive for the client. A nasal cannula can deliver oxygen from 1 to 6 L/minute, depending on the client's needs.
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