A hospitalized client who has an advance directive and healthcare power of attorney is receiving enteral nutrition through a nasogastric (NG) tube. The client vomits and appears to be choking. Which action should the nurse take?
Irrigate the nasogastric tube with water.
Review the advance directive document.
Elevate the head of bed 45 degrees.
Perform oropharyngeal suctioning.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is: d. Perform oropharyngeal suctioning.
Choice A: Irrigate the nasogastric tube with water
Reason: Irrigating the nasogastric tube with water is not appropriate when a client is choking and vomiting. This action could potentially worsen the situation by introducing more fluid into the stomach, increasing the risk of aspiration.
Choice B: Review the advance directive document
Reason: Reviewing the advance directive document is not an immediate action to take when a client is choking. Advance directives provide guidance on the client’s wishes for medical treatment but do not address acute emergency interventions.
Choice C: Elevate the head of bed 45 degrees
Reason: Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees can help reduce the risk of aspiration by using gravity to keep stomach contents down. However, this action alone is not sufficient to address the immediate choking hazard.
Choice D: Perform oropharyngeal suctioning
Reason: Performing oropharyngeal suctioning is the correct action because it directly addresses the choking hazard by clearing the airway of vomit and other obstructions. This is a critical step to ensure the client’s airway is clear and they can breathe properly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Massage the injection site to increase absorption is not a correct instruction because it may cause bruising and bleeding. Low-molecular-weight heparin is absorbed quickly without massaging.
Choice B: Rotate injections between the abdomen and gluteal areas is not a correct instruction because it may increase the risk of hematoma and infection. The abdomen is preferred over other sites for low-molecular-weight heparin injections.
Choice C: Expel the air in the prefilled syringe prior to injection is not a correct instruction because it may result in loss of medication and inaccurate dosing. The air bubble in the prefilled syringe should be left intact.
Choice D: Inject in abdominal area at least 2 inches from the umbilicus is a correct instruction because it ensures adequate subcutaneous tissue and avoids major blood vessels and organs.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because contacting the healthcare provider about the frequency of pain medication is a dependent intervention that requires an order from the provider. The nurse should first use independent interventions such as reviewing available prescriptions or providing non-pharmacological measures.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because encouraging the client to allow more time for the medication to work can imply that the nurse does not believe or validate the client's report of pain. It also can delay effective pain relief and increase suffering.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because reviewing the medical record for additional pain medication prescriptions can help identify alternative or adjunctive options for pain management, such as breakthrough doses, rescue doses, or non-opioid analgesics.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because administering an additional dose of morphine sulfate 0.2 mg intravenously can cause overdose, respiratory depression, or addiction. The nurse should follow the prescribed dosage, route, and interval of administration and monitor for adverse effects.
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