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 A
Explanation
This is the best action for the PN to take because it provides immediate relief for the client's pain, which can be severe and debilitating in Herpes zoster. The PN should also assess the client's pain level, location, and characteristics and document the response to the medication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Correct Answer: C. Measure the next voiding, then palpate the client's bladder.
Choice A rationale:
Catheterizing the client for residual urine volume is not necessary at this point because the woman has recently given birth, and frequent urination is common during the postpartum period. Additionally, catheterization poses risks of infection, so it should be reserved for situations where it is clinically indicated.
Choice B rationale:
Evaluating for normal involution and massaging the fundus is not relevant in this context. Fundal massage is performed after childbirth to ensure the uterus contracts and prevents excessive bleeding. The woman's concern is about frequent urination, which does not require fundal massage.
Choice C rationale:
Measuring the next voiding and palpating the client's bladder is the most appropriate action. The woman's increased frequency of urination could be due to postpartum diuresis, a normal physiological process where the body eliminates excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy. By measuring the next voiding and palpating the bladder, the nurse can assess for bladder distension or retention, which could be signs of a problem.
Choice D rationale:
Obtaining a specimen for urine culture and sensitivity is not indicated in this situation. There is no evidence to suggest that the woman has a urinary tract infection or other urinary issues that would warrant a urine culture at this time.
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