A nurse is preparing to infuse a 250-mL unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) over 2 hours.

The drop factor of the manual intravenous (IV) tubing is 15 drops/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse adjust the flow rate to deliver?

Choice A rationale

Using soap to clean the patient’s skin is not the best practice. Soap can dry out and irritate the skin, especially in patients with urinary incontinence. It can disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance and make it more susceptible to damage.

Choice B rationale

Applying a barrier cream to the patient’s skin is a recommended practice. Barrier creams provide a protective layer on the skin that can help prevent irritation from urine. They can also help to keep the skin moisturized, which is important for maintaining skin integrity.

Choice C rationale

Avoiding friction when drying the patient’s skin is crucial. Friction can cause further damage to the skin, especially in areas that are already irritated or broken down due to incontinence. It’s recommended to gently pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it.

Choice D rationale

Using warm water to clean the patient’s skin is a good practice. Warm water is less irritating to the skin than hot water and can help to cleanse the area without causing additional discomfort or damage.

Choice A rationale

Chilling the irrigant prior to the procedure is not recommended. Cold irrigant can cause discomfort and potentially lead to vasoconstriction, which can impede the healing process.

Choice B rationale

Irrigating the wound until the solution that is draining is clean is a standard practice in wound care. This helps to ensure that all debris and potential contaminants are removed from the wound.

Choice C rationale

Holding the tip of the syringe at least 13 cm (0.5 in) above the wound while irrigating is not a standard practice. The syringe should be held close to the wound to ensure effective irrigation.

Choice D rationale

Flushing the wound from the most contaminated area to the cleanest area is not a standard practice. The wound should be irrigated from the cleanest to the dirtiest area to prevent the spread of contamination.