A phlebotomist enters a patient's room and observes the patient to be motionless and cyanotic. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take first?
Ask the patient if they are okay in a loud voice.
Perform the head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver.
Administer two rescue breaths.
Look, listen, and feel for breathing movements.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
When encountering a patient who appears motionless and cyanotic, the first action should be to assess their level of consciousness. Asking loudly if they are okay can help determine if the patient is responsive or unresponsive. If there is no response, this indicates that the patient may be unconscious and requires further immediate assessment and potential intervention.
Choice B reason:
The head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver is used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient who is not suspected of having a spinal injury. However, this is not the first step. Before performing any maneuvers, it is essential to determine the patient's level of consciousness and whether they are breathing.
Choice C reason:
Administering rescue breaths is part of the process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is only initiated after confirming that the patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally. This step comes after checking for responsiveness and breathing.
Choice D reason:
Looking, listening, and feeling for breathing movements is part of the assessment to determine if the patient is breathing normally. This is done after establishing unresponsiveness but before initiating CPR. It is a critical step, but it follows after confirming that the patient does not respond to verbal stimuli.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A red-top tube is used for serum determinations in chemistry and should be allowed to clot completely, typically for 30 minutes, before centrifugation. Shipping after only 15 minutes may result in incomplete clotting and potentially inaccurate test results.
Choice B Reason:
Serum should not be separated from a lavender-top tube, as this type of tube contains EDTA and is used for whole blood tests, not serum. This indicates a misunderstanding of the tube's purpose and could lead to compromised test results.
Choice C Reason:
A tiger-top tube, also known as a serum separator tube, is used for various chemistry tests. However, bilirubin is light-sensitive, and specimens for bilirubin testing should be protected from light, not shipped in a clear bag. This could lead to degradation of the bilirubin and inaccurate results.
Choice D Reason:
A green-top tube contains heparin and is used for plasma determinations. Ammonia testing requires the plasma to be placed on ice immediately after collection to inhibit the continued production of ammonia from red blood cells. Therefore, shipping in an icy water mixture is the correct procedure to ensure accurate ammonia levels.
In conclusion, the proper preparation and transport of blood specimens are crucial for the accuracy of laboratory tests. The green-top tube for ammonia testing, shipped in an icy water mixture, is the only option that follows the correct protocol for specimen handling and transport.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
A specimen bag is typically used for transporting specimens from the collection site to the laboratory. It is not designed for the disposal of contaminated items such as microscope slides. These bags are not puncture-resistant and do not provide the necessary protection against sharps injuries or contamination.
Choice B reason:
A biohazard bag is used for disposing of items that have been contaminated with potentially infectious materials. While it is suitable for materials like gloves, tissues, or any other items that do not have sharp edges, it is not the appropriate choice for glass slides, which can puncture the bag and pose a risk to handlers.
Choice C reason:
A red sharps container is specifically designed for the disposal of sharps waste, which includes any device that can puncture or cut skin, such as needles, syringes, lancets, and contaminated glass such as microscope slides. These containers are rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and usually marked with a biohazard symbol, making them the correct choice for disposing of contaminated microscope slides.
Choice D reason:
A medical waste container is a broad term that can refer to various types of containers used for medical waste. However, not all medical waste containers are suitable for sharps disposal. Unless the medical waste container is designed like a red sharps container, it may not be safe for disposing of glass slides.
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