The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.
What action by the nurse is correct?

Place the probe on a finger that has slow or delayed capillary refill.

Plan to document the pulse oximeter reading as a percent.

Assure the reading is taken in bright light, such as sunlight or fluorescent light.

Avoid removing dark nail polish before the reading is obtained.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Placing the pulse oximeter probe on a finger with slow or delayed capillary refill can lead to inaccurate readings. Slow capillary refill indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which may affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings. The nurse should select a finger with normal capillary refill to obtain accurate readings.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the pulse oximeter reading as a percent is the correct action. Pulse oximeter readings are expressed as percentages, representing the oxygen saturation level in the patient's blood. Normal oxygen saturation levels typically range from 95% to 100%. Documenting the reading in percent allows healthcare providers to monitor the patient's oxygenation status accurately.

Choice C rationale:

Assuring that the reading is taken in bright light, such as sunlight or fluorescent light, is incorrect. Bright light can interfere with the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings by causing the sensor to misinterpret external light as a pulsatile signal. To obtain accurate readings, the pulse oximeter should be used in a well-lit environment but away from direct bright light sources.

Choice D rationale:

Avoiding the removal of dark nail polish before obtaining the reading is incorrect. Dark nail polish can interfere with the pulse oximeter's ability to detect the pulsatile signal from the patient's finger, leading to inaccurate oxygen saturation readings. The nurse should advise the patient to remove dark nail polish or choose another finger without nail polish for the measurement.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer. Rationale: Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer helps improve lung function and prevent respiratory complications. It promotes deep breathing and prevents atelectasis, especially in patients experiencing dyspnea.

Choice B rationale:

Auscultate lung sounds bilaterally. Rationale: Auscultating lung sounds helps the nurse assess for abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing or crackles, which can indicate respiratory distress. This assessment is crucial in managing a patient with dyspnea.

Choice C rationale:

Ambulate the patient in the hall. Rationale: Ambulating the patient can worsen dyspnea in some cases, especially if the patient is experiencing severe respiratory distress. Therefore, this intervention may not be appropriate for a patient with dyspnea.

Choice D rationale:

Position the bed in high fowlers. Rationale: Positioning the patient in high fowlers (sitting upright with the head of the bed elevated) helps improve lung expansion and ease breathing. This position maximizes the patient's lung capacity and can provide relief from dyspnea.

Choice E rationale:

Assess the pulse oximetry. Rationale: Monitoring pulse oximetry levels is essential in assessing the patient's oxygen saturation. It helps the nurse determine if the patient is receiving adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing dyspnea. A normal oxygen saturation range is typically 95% to 100%.

A. The nurse mistakenly calls the patient's daughter "your wife.”. B. A surgical procedure performed on the wrong leg of a patient. C. The surgical procedure is postponed by 30 minutes. D. The nurse fails to raise the bed to a working height during patient care.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The nurse mistakenly calling the patient's daughter "your wife" is a communication error but does not qualify as a sentinel event. Sentinel events are serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that result in significant harm or death to the patient. Miscommunication, while important to address, does not fall under the category of a sentinel event.

Choice B rationale:

A surgical procedure performed on the wrong leg of a patient is a classic example of a sentinel event. Wrong-site surgery is a serious medical error that can lead to severe consequences for the patient. Proper protocols and procedures, such as time-outs and site marking, are in place to prevent such incidents, making this a sentinel event that requires immediate investigation and analysis to prevent recurrence.

Choice C rationale:

The surgical procedure being postponed by 30 minutes, while potentially inconvenient, does not constitute a sentinel event. Delays in surgical schedules are not uncommon due to various reasons such as emergencies or the complexity of preceding procedures. While delays should be minimized, they do not necessarily result in patient harm or death, making them different from sentinel events.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse failing to raise the bed to a working height during patient care is a safety concern but does not qualify as a sentinel event. It is important for nurses to adhere to proper body mechanics and safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries. While this situation requires correction and education, it does not meet the criteria of a sentinel event.

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The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.What action by the nurse is correct?

Nursing Test Bank

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The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.
What action by the nurse is correct?