The nurse is caring for a school-age girl who has had a cardiac catheterization. The child tells the nurse that her bandage is "too wet." The nurse finds the bandage and bed soaked with blood. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action?
Place the child in the Trendelenburg position.
Apply a new bandage with more pressure.
Notify the physician.
Apply direct pressure above the catheterization site.
The Correct Answer is D
Answer is: d. Apply direct pressure above the catheterization site.
Explanation: The first action should be to apply direct pressure above the catheterization site to help control the bleeding and minimize blood loss. This will also give the nurse time to prepare additional interventions or supplies if necessary.
Choice a. is wrong because placing the child in the Trendelenburg position is not an appropriate initial nursing action in this scenario. This position can increase intracranial pressure and is typically used for patients experiencing shock or hypotension.
Choice b. is wrong because applying a new bandage with more pressure might be a subsequent action, but the priority is to apply direct pressure to slow down the bleeding.
Choice c. is wrong because notifying the physician is important, but the nurse should first take immediate action to control the bleeding and minimize potential harm to the patient.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice b. Grasp the tick by the body to remove.
Choice A rationale:
Cleansing the wound with soap and water is a correct action. It helps to prevent infection after the tick has been removed.
Choice B rationale:
Grasping the tick by the body is incorrect. The proper method is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Grasping the tick by the body can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
Choice C rationale:
Leaving the tick in place and seeking emergency medical treatment is not recommended. The tick should be removed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Choice D rationale:
Avoiding touching the tick with bare hands is correct. Using gloves or tissue to handle the tick helps prevent the transmission of pathogens.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Sparse hair.
Choice A rationale:
Sleepiness is not a typical symptom of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone, leads to a slower metabolism which can cause fatigue, but not necessarily sleepiness.
Choice B rationale:
Weight loss is not associated with hypothyroidism. In fact, weight gain is a common symptom due to the reduced metabolic rate caused by insufficient thyroid hormone levels.
Choice C rationale:
Sparse hair is a characteristic symptom of hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormones play a crucial role in the growth and maintenance of hair follicles. In hypothyroidism, hair can become brittle, thin, and sparse.
Choice D rationale:
Diarrhea is not a typical symptom of hypothyroidism. Constipation, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with this condition due to the slowed digestive processes caused by low thyroid hormone levels.
Choice E rationale:
Puffiness around the eyes is not typically associated with hypothyroidism. However, it is a symptom of another thyroid disorder known as Graves' disease, which is characterized by hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
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