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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answers are choices B. Administer Benadryl, and D. Apply a cool compress.
Choice A rationale:
Placing an ace wrap on the bite is not recommended for a brown recluse spider bite. This action could potentially worsen the situation as it might trap venom in the area and increase the risk of necrosis.
Choice B rationale:
Administering Benadryl is a suitable action for alleviating pain and managing allergic reactions related to the bite. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that can help reduce itching and inflammation.
Choice C rationale:
Elevating the affected area might not provide significant pain relief for a brown recluse spider bite. Elevating is generally more effective for reducing swelling associated with injuries involving fluid accumulation, like sprains or strains.
Choice D rationale:
Applying a cool compress to the bite area can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Cold therapy constricts blood vessels, which can reduce swelling and numb the area, providing relief.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D: Refer children with sore throats for throat cultures.
Choice A rationale:
Recommending salicylates instead of acetaminophen for minor discomforts is not relevant to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is primarily associated with untreated streptococcal infections, particularly streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), which can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever if left untreated. The choice of pain relievers like salicylates or acetaminophen doesn't play a significant role in preventing rheumatic fever.
Choice B rationale:
Encouraging routine cholesterol screenings is not relevant to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an immune-mediated inflammatory response to certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pyogenes. Cholesterol screenings are more related to assessing cardiovascular risk and are not directly linked to preventing rheumatic fever.
Choice C rationale:
Conducting routine blood pressure screenings is not directly related to the prevention of rheumatic fever. Blood pressure screenings are important for identifying hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, but they do not have a direct impact on preventing rheumatic fever, which is primarily a complication of untreated streptococcal infections.
Choice D rationale:
Refer children with sore throats for throat cultures. This is the correct choice. Rheumatic fever often develops as a result of untreated streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). Throat cultures are crucial for diagnosing streptococcal infections and determining the appropriate course of treatment with antibiotics. By identifying and treating streptococcal infections promptly, the risk of developing rheumatic fever can be significantly reduced.
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