A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a stool guaiac test.

The patient inquires about the purpose of the test.

How should the nurse respond?

The correct answer is Choice A: Don sterile gloves before inserting the indwelling urinary catheter.

Choice A rationale:

Donning sterile gloves is crucial to prevent infection during the insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter. Maintaining aseptic technique is essential to avoid introducing pathogens into the urinary tract.

Choice B rationale:

Applying an oil-based lubricant to the catheter is not recommended as it can interfere with the sterility of the procedure and potentially cause irritation or infection.

Choice C rationale:

Testing the balloon before insertion is important, but it is not the first step in the process. The priority is to ensure that the nurse is using sterile gloves to maintain aseptic technique.

Choice D rationale:

Using one cotton swab to clean the patient’s urinary meatus is not sufficient for proper aseptic technique. The area should be cleaned thoroughly with appropriate antiseptic solutions and sterile supplies.

Choice A rationale:

Dry skin is not typically associated with respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood aren’t balanced. It occurs when you breathe too fast or too deep and carbon dioxide levels drop too low. This condition does not directly cause dry skin.

Choice B rationale:

Abdominal pain is not a common symptom of respiratory alkalosis. The condition is usually caused by over-breathing (called hyperventilation) that occurs when you breathe very deeply or rapidly. While it can cause discomfort, it does not typically result in abdominal pain.

Choice C rationale:

Diarrhea is not a direct symptom of respiratory alkalosis. However, the stress or anxiety that can cause hyperventilation and lead to respiratory alkalosis might also upset the digestive system and cause diarrhea. It’s important to note that while stress and anxiety can cause both conditions, they are not a direct result of the respiratory alkalosis itself.

Choice D rationale:

Flank pain is not a symptom of respiratory alkalosis. Flank pain is often associated with kidney problems, not respiratory conditions. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, bloating, feeling light-headed, numbness or muscle spasms in the hands and feet, discomfort in the chest area, confusion, dry mouth, tingling in the arms, heart palpitations, and feeling short of breath.