A nurse notices clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned from lumbar spinal surgery. What should be the nurse’s immediate course of action?
Test the fluid on the dressing for glucose.
Change the dressing using a compression bandage.
Mark the drainage area with a pen and continue to monitor.
Document the findings in the electronic medical record.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Testing the fluid on the dressing for glucose is the immediate course of action when a nurse notices clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned from lumbar spinal surgery. Clear fluid could be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which contains glucose. If the fluid is positive for glucose, it could indicate a CSF leak, which requires immediate medical attention.
Choice B rationale
Changing the dressing using a compression bandage is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice C rationale
Marking the drainage area with a pen and continuing to monitor is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice D rationale
Documenting the findings in the electronic medical record is important, but it is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Nadolol is a beta-blocker that can decrease heart rate and contractility, which can potentially exacerbate heart failure and lead to cardiogenic shock.
Choice B rationale
Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is often used in the treatment of heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the workload of the heart.
Choice C rationale
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that is used to treat heart failure and certain heart arrhythmias. It works by increasing the force of the heart’s contractions, which can improve heart function.
Choice D rationale
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that is often used in the treatment of heart failure. It works by helping the body get rid of excess fluid, which can reduce the workload of the heart.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it is essential to assess how the client copes with auditory hallucinations, asking this question alone does not provide specific information about the content of the hallucinations.
Choice B rationale
The timing of the voices can provide some insight into the triggers or patterns of the hallucinations, but it does not directly address the content or potential impact of the hallucinations on the client’s behavior or mental state.
Choice C rationale
While medication efficacy is an important aspect of managing schizophrenia, it does not directly address the current experience of the client’s hallucinations.
Choice D rationale
Understanding what the voices are saying to the client can provide critical information about potential risks, including self-harm or harm to others, and can guide the treatment plan. This is why it is the most important question for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment.
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