A young male adult walks into the emergency department (ED) holding a dead poisonous snake that bit him on his right calf within the last hour. After killing the snake, he tied a tablecloth about 4 inches (10 cm) above the bite. The client is now reporting numbness and tingling from the right knee to ankle. His heart rate is 123 beats/minute, respirations 28 breaths/minute, blood pressure 86/40 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation 94% on room air. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Insert a large bore peripheral IV catheter.
Raise extremity above the heart.
Tighten the cloth around the leg.
Apply ice over the bite mark.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Insert a large bore peripheral IV catheter. The client is showing signs of shock (tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea) likely due to envenomation and systemic venom effects. Rapid IV access is essential for fluid resuscitation, administration of antivenom, and management of shock. A large bore (18-gauge or larger) IV catheter allows for aggressive fluid therapy to maintain perfusion and prevent circulatory collapse.
B. Raise extremity above the heart. Elevating the limb can increase venom circulation, worsening systemic effects. Instead, the affected extremity should be kept at heart level to slow venom spread while ensuring adequate perfusion.
C. Tighten the cloth around the leg. Further tightening the makeshift tourniquet can lead to vascular compromise, ischemia, and increased local tissue damage. Modern guidelines discourage tourniquets as they do not prevent venom spread effectively and may worsen outcomes. The best approach is to loosen or remove restrictive bindings and keep the limb immobilized at heart level.
D. Apply ice over the bite mark. Cold therapy is contraindicated as it can worsen tissue damage by causing vasoconstriction, trapping venom, and increasing necrosis. Instead, the priority is IV access, fluid resuscitation, and preparing for possible antivenom administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["5"]
Explanation
Calculation:
Calculate the New Nitroglycerin Dose in mcg/hour
Dose (mcg/hour) = Dose (mcg/min) × 60 min/hour
=15 mcg/min × 60 min/hour = 900 mcg/hour
Convert mcg to mg
Dose (mg/hour) = Dose (mcg/hour) / 1000 mcg/mg
=900 mcg/hour / 1000 mcg/mg
= 0.9 mg/hour
Calculate the Concentration of Nitroglycerin in the IV Bag
Concentration (mg/mL) = Total mg of Nitroglycerin / Total mL of Solution
=50 mg / 250 mL
= 0.2 mg/mL
Calculate the Infusion Rate = Infusion Rate (mL/hour)
=0.9 mg/hour / 0.2 mg/mL
= 4.5 mL/hour
Round to the Nearest Whole Number
4.5 mL/hour rounded to 5 mL/hour
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Oxygenate before suctioning. Pre-oxygenation before suctioning is essential to prevent hypoxia and bradycardia, but it does not directly ensure that the ETT remains in the correct position. This is a general airway management guideline rather than a specific intervention to maintain ETT placement.
B. Auscultate bilateral breath sounds. Auscultation is important for ongoing assessment of lung sounds and oxygenation but does not physically prevent tube displacement. While listening for equal breath sounds helps detect tube migration or mainstem bronchus intubation, it does not secure the ETT in place.
C. Firmly secure the ETT in place. After proper ETT placement is confirmed with a chest x-ray, securing the tube with adhesive tape or a commercial ETT holder prevents displacement. Unintentional extubation or tube migration can lead to hypoxia, respiratory distress, or esophageal intubation, making proper tube fixation a priority intervention.
D. Suction the ETT every 2 hours. Routine suctioning is not recommended unless there are indications such as visible secretions, high airway pressures, or decreased oxygenation. Frequent, unnecessary suctioning can cause mucosal trauma, hypoxia, and bradycardia and does not help maintain ETT placement.
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