The charge nurse brings a #18 urinary catheter with a 30 mL balloon to the practical nurse (PN) who is preparing to insert a catheter in a female client who weighs 50 kg. Which action should the PN take first?
Obtain a 30 mL syringe and a vial of sterile water.
Ask the client if she has previously been catheterized.
Consult with the charge nurse about the catheter.
Position the client and observe the urinary meatus.
The Correct Answer is C
This is the first action that the PN should take because the catheter size and balloon volume are inappropriate for the client. A #18 urinary catheter is too large for a female client who weighs 50 kg, and a 30 mL balloon may cause bladder trauma or discomfort. The PN should consult with the charge nurse and obtain a smaller catheter (such as #14 or #16) with a 10 mL balloon.

A. Obtaining a 30 mL syringe and a vial of sterile water is not the first action because it does not address the issue of the catheter size and balloon volume.
B. Asking the client if she has previously been catheterized is not the first action because it does not address the issue of the catheter size and balloon volume.
D. Positioning the client and observing the urinary meatus is not the first action because it does not address the issue of the catheter size and balloon volume.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is the action that the PN should emphasize for the client to take before self-administration of the nasal spray because it clears the nasal passages of mucus and debris and allows for better absorption of the medication. The PN should also instruct the client to shake the botle well, tilt the head slightly forward, insert the nozzle into one nostril, close the other nostril with a finger, and press the pump while inhaling gently.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice B. Report the finding to the charge nurse. Choice A rationale:
Checking for kinks in the drainage tubing is an important troubleshooting step if there is a sudden decrease or absence of urine output. However, in this case, the PN's concern is the presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine drainage. This finding indicates potential bleeding, which requires immediate attention and reporting.
Choice B rationale:
Reporting the finding to the charge nurse is the correct action. The presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine suggests significant bleeding after the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery. It is crucial to inform the charge nurse or the healthcare provider promptly so that appropriate interventions can be initiated to address the bleeding.
Choice C rationale:
Stopping the irrigation solution immediately may not be within the PN's scope of practice unless explicitly instructed by the healthcare provider. Moreover, abruptly stopping the irrigation may lead to complications, and it is essential to involve the charge nurse or healthcare provider in making this decision.
Choice D rationale:
Observing the drainage again in one hour is not appropriate in this situation. The presence of thick red fluid with clots in the urine drainage is an urgent concern that requires immediate action, not a wait-and-see approach.
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