On the second postoperative day, a client who had a colon resection is starting to eat and ambulate with assistance. Although the client has a prescription for an oral analgesic, they request that the PCA containing morphine be continued for one more day due to fear of pain. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Measure urinary output to ensure renal functioning.

Administer the oral analgesic medication an hour before discontinuing the PCA pump.

Monitor for a depressed respiratory rate.

Teach about the need to progress to a high-fiber diet.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Measuring urinary output is important for monitoring renal function, especially when using medications like morphine, but it is not the most critical intervention in this context.

Choice B reason: Administering the oral analgesic before discontinuing the PCA allows for the medication to take effect, preventing breakthrough pain and addressing the client's fear of pain.

Choice C reason: Monitoring for a depressed respiratory rate is crucial when a patient is on morphine, but the priority is to manage pain effectively as the client transitions to oral analgesics.

Choice D reason: Education on dietary needs is important for long-term recovery, but immediate pain management is a higher priority in the postoperative period.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Reviewing the medical record for the date of insertion is important but does not address the immediate concern of pain or potential complications at the IV site.

Choice B reason: Applying ice and then a warm compress may be used for phlebitis or infiltration, but if the client is experiencing pain, the priority is to address the potential for complications.

Choice C reason: Documentation is a necessary step, but it should not be the first action taken when a client reports pain at the IV site.

Choice D reason: If the IV site is painful, it may be indicative of infiltration, phlebitis, or another complication. The nurse should discontinue the painful IV and insert a new one at a different site to prevent further discomfort and potential harm to the client.

A. Assess for discomfort when the procedure is completed. B. Instruct the client to keep hands under the sterile field. C. Pour cleansing solution onto the sterile cloth field. D. Verify that the client has given informed consent.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Waiting until after the procedure to assess for discomfort does not ensure client safety during the procedure itself. While pain assessment is important, it is not the priority safety intervention in this situation, especially since the client is already mildly confused and could disrupt the sterile field or injure themselves if not properly guided.

Choice B reason: Because the client is mildly confused, there is a risk of them inadvertently reaching into or touching the sterile field during the procedure. The nurse’s priority safety action is to provide clear, simple instructions such as reminding the client to keep their hands away or under the sterile field. This prevents contamination and reduces the risk of infection, protecting both the client and the procedure.

Choice C reason: Pouring cleansing solution onto the sterile cloth field would contaminate the sterile setup, since fluids should only be poured into sterile containers or basins. This action could compromise the sterile field and increase infection risk, making it unsafe practice.

Choice D reason: Informed consent for a procedure like wound debridement must be obtained by the healthcare provider before the procedure begins, not during. While the nurse can verify consent earlier, at the point described in the scenario (when the sterile field is already set up), the immediate priority is to maintain sterility and safety, not obtain consent.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While the nurse is preparing a scheduled IV medication, the client states that the IV site hurts and refuses to allow the nurse to administer a flush to assess the site. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is assisting the healthcare provider with a wound debridement at the bedside of a client who is mildly confused. The client is draped and a sterile field is created. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement for client safety?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The healthcare provider has prescribed heparin, 3 units/kg to be administered via IV push for a client who weighs 175 pounds. The vial is labeled as "100 units/mL." How many mL should the nurse administer? (Please enter the numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

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The school nurse is preparing a presentation for elementary school teachers to inform them about when a child should be referred to the school clinic for further follow-up. The teachers should be instructed to report which situation(s) to the school nurse? Select all that apply.

When performing suctioning for a client with a tracheostomy, which action should the nurse include?

A client is scheduled for an intravenous pyelogram today. The nurse instructs the client that the x-ray visualizes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Which information is most important for the nurse to gather before the client goes for the x-ray?

Patient Data Exhibits After the physician orders the echocardiogram, the nurse educates the parents about the procedure. For each statement below, indicate whether it shows understanding or a lack of understanding by the parents.