A client is receiving postoperative continuous bladder irrigation via a three-way indwelling catheter for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Twelve hours after the surgery, the practical nurse (PN) is monitoring the urine in the catheter's bedside drainage unit and observes that the drainage is a thick red fluid with clots. What action should the PN implement?
Check for kinks in the drainage tubing.
Report the finding to the charge nurse.
Stop the irrigation solution immediately.
Observe the drainage again in one hour.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is Choice B. Report the finding to the charge nurse. Choice A rationale:
Checking for kinks in the drainage tubing is an important troubleshooting step if there is a sudden decrease or absence of urine output. However, in this case, the PN's concern is the presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine drainage. This finding indicates potential bleeding, which requires immediate attention and reporting.
Choice B rationale:
Reporting the finding to the charge nurse is the correct action. The presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine suggests significant bleeding after the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery. It is crucial to inform the charge nurse or the healthcare provider promptly so that appropriate interventions can be initiated to address the bleeding.
Choice C rationale:
Stopping the irrigation solution immediately may not be within the PN's scope of practice unless explicitly instructed by the healthcare provider. Moreover, abruptly stopping the irrigation may lead to complications, and it is essential to involve the charge nurse or healthcare provider in making this decision.
Choice D rationale:
Observing the drainage again in one hour is not appropriate in this situation. The presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine drainage is an urgent concern that requires immediate action, not a wait-and-see approach.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Troponin I and CK-MB are cardiac enzymes that are released into the bloodstream when the heart muscle is injured or necrotic. Elevated levels of these enzymes indicate that the client has suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. The damaged heart tissue can impair the electrical conduction system of the heart and cause abnormal heart rhythms or dysrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. The PN should monitor the client's cardiac status closely and report any changes to the charge nurse.
The other options are not correct because:
B. The client is not at risk for pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot or other material. Pulmonary embolism does not cause elevated cardiac enzymes, but it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and hypoxia.
C. The client is not at risk for recurrent long-term angina pain, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Angina pain does not cause elevated cardiac enzymes, but it can be a warning sign of an impending MI.
D. The lab results do not indicate risk factors for transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is a temporary interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain due to a clot or plaque. TIA does not cause elevated cardiac enzymes, but it can cause neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A thready pulse is a weak and rapid pulse that is easily obliterated by light pressure. It indicates poor blood flow and perfusion, and may be caused by conditions such as shock, dehydration, or hemorrhage.
The other options are not correct because:
- A missing pulse is a pulse that is absent or cannot be detected, even with firm pressure. It indicates a complete blockage of blood flow, and may be caused by conditions such as arterial occlusion, embolism, or trauma.
- Light pressure applied to pulse is not a documentation of the pulse quality, but a description of the technique used to palpate the pulse.
- Pulse skips beats is a documentation of an irregular pulse rhythm, not a pulse volume. It indicates that the heart beats are unevenly spaced, and may be caused by conditions such as arrhythmia, stress, or caffeine intake.
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