A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient who was injured in a motor-vehicle crash. The patient reports dyspnea and severe pain.
The nurse notes that the patient’s chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration. The nurse should identify this finding as which of the following?

Choice A rationale

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections, not bacterial infections like MRSA1234.

Choice B rationale

Patients with MRSA are typically placed on contact precautions, not airborne precautions. This is because MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact with an infected wound or from contaminated hands, not through the air.

Choice C rationale

While MRSA can survive on hands, it typically survives for less than an hour. However, the exact duration can vary depending on the conditions.

Choice D rationale

Bathing patients with water and chlorhexidine gluconate is a common practice to help control MRSA. Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic that kills a wide range of bacteria, including MRSA1234.

Choice A rationale

Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to measure the patient’s apical pulse. Digoxin affects the heart rate, and a low pulse could indicate that the dose needs to be adjusted.

Choice B rationale

Offering a light snack is not specifically required before administering digoxin.

Choice C rationale

While it’s always important to monitor a patient’s blood pressure, it’s not specifically required before administering digoxin.

Choice D rationale

Weighing the patient is not specifically required before administering digoxin.