A patient suspected of having a severe medication reaction goes into shock. Which of the following first aid measures should the phlebotomist take?
Keep the patient as upright as possible.
Provide a cooling blanket.
Administer oral fluids.
Maintain an open airway.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Keeping the patient as upright as possible is not recommended in cases of shock. When a patient is in shock, it is important to lay them down and elevate their legs slightly, unless this position causes pain or further injury. This position helps improve blood flow to the brain.
Choice B Reason:
Providing a cooling blanket is not a standard first aid measure for shock due to a medication reaction. A cooling blanket may be used in cases of hyperthermia or heatstroke to reduce body temperature, but not typically for shock, which requires maintaining normal body temperature and preventing chilling.
Choice C Reason:
Administering oral fluids to a patient in shock is not advisable. During shock, a patient may have an impaired swallowing reflex or be unconscious, increasing the risk of aspiration. It is best to avoid giving anything by mouth until medical personnel arrive.
Choice D Reason:
Maintaining an open airway is crucial for a patient in shock. Ensuring that the airway is clear allows the patient to breathe effectively, which is essential for delivering oxygen to the tissues and organs. If the patient is unconscious or has an altered level of consciousness, the phlebotomist should check for breathing and begin CPR if necessary.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of infections within health care settings. By thoroughly cleaning hands, phlebotomists and other health care workers can significantly reduce the transmission of pathogens that can lead to health care-associated infections (HAIs). These infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients and can be prevented by adhering to strict hand hygiene protocols.
Choice B Reason:
While hand hygiene is crucial for preventing contamination and infection, it does not directly increase the accuracy of laboratory results. The accuracy of laboratory results is more dependent on the proper collection, handling, and processing of specimens, as well as the precision of the testing equipment and methodologies used.
Choice C Reason:
Good hand hygiene can help decrease the rejection of laboratory specimens by preventing contamination. Contaminated specimens can lead to inaccurate results and may need to be recollected, which is inconvenient for the patient and can delay diagnosis and treatment. However, the primary outcome of proper hand hygiene is the prevention of HAIs, rather than the reduction of specimen rejection.
Choice D Reason:
Proper hand hygiene leads to a decrease, not an increase, in the potential sources of pathogens. By effectively removing germs from the hands, the risk of transmitting infectious agents is minimized. This is essential in a health care setting where patients may be vulnerable to infections due to weakened immune systems or open wounds.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery. It has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, but it is not the preferred choice for capillary blood collection due to the potential interference with certain laboratory tests. Povidone-iodine needs to be completely dried to avoid hemolysis of the sample, which can affect test results.
Choice B Reason:
Hand sanitizer is generally used for hand hygiene and not for the disinfection of the site for blood specimen collection. While it is effective in killing germs on the skin, it contains emollients and gelling agents that can contaminate the blood sample and interfere with laboratory tests.
Choice C Reason:
70% isopropyl alcohol is the most commonly used disinfectant for aseptic technique in capillary blood collection. It is effective against a broad range of microorganisms and evaporates quickly, leaving no residue that could contaminate the sample. It is important to allow the alcohol to dry completely before performing the puncture to prevent stinging and sample dilution.
Choice D Reason:
A 10% chlorine bleach solution is not typically used for skin disinfection in blood collection due to its harshness and potential to cause skin irritation and damage. It is more commonly used for disinfecting surfaces and equipment in healthcare settings.
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