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The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity.
Which action should the nurse include?

A.

Instill 3 mL of normal saline before suctioning.

B.

Instruct the client to cough as the suction tip is removed.

C.

Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the catheter.

D.

Wear protective goggles while performing the procedure.

E.

Wear protective goggles while performing the procedure.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:

Instill 3 mL of normal saline before suctioning. This choice is not appropriate for suctioning excessive drooling in a client with ALS. Instilling normal saline would introduce additional fluid into the oral cavity, potentially worsening the problem by increasing the amount of secretions. The goal of suctioning is to remove excess saliva and maintain a clear airway.

Choice B rationale:

Instruct the client to cough as the suction tip is removed. Instructing the client to cough during suctioning is not a recommended practice. It may cause discomfort and can lead to an increased risk of aspiration as the client might inhale while coughing during the procedure.

Choice C rationale:

Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the catheter. Applying a water-soluble lubricant to the suction catheter is a common practice to facilitate the passage of the catheter and minimize irritation to the client's oral tissues. While it is a helpful step, it is not the primary action that should be taken to ensure the safety of the procedure.

Choice D rationale:

Wear protective goggles while performing the procedure. This is the correct choice. When suctioning a client's oral cavity, especially when dealing with excessive drooling or secretions, it is essential for the nurse to wear protective goggles. These goggles protect the nurse's eyes from potential exposure to the client's bodily fluids, reducing the risk of infection transmission.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

  • A bowel patern is the frequency, consistency, and appearance of a person's bowel movements. A normal bowel patern is what's normal for each person, and it can vary depending on factors such as diet, age, physical activity, and health conditions.
  • A focused gastrointestinal system assessment includes collecting subjective data about the patient's history of gastrointestinal disease, signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, diet and nutrition, and bowel patern. It also includes inspecting and auscultating the abdomen for any abnormalities³.
  • When a client reports having a bowel movement three days ago, the first action that the practical nurse should implement is to determine the client's usual bowel patern. This will help to evaluate if the client is experiencing constipation or if this is their normal frequency. It will also help to identify any changes or risk factors that may affect the client's bowel function.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer, while options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Option A is incorrect because administering a stool softener without assessing the client's bowel patern may not be appropriate or effective.

Option C is incorrect because encouraging ambulation may help to stimulate bowel activity, but it is not the first action to take.

Option D is incorrect because recommending dietary changes may be helpful for preventing or treating constipation, but it is not the first action to take.

Correct Answer is ["21"]

Explanation

Let’s calculate the infusion rate step by step:

  1. Convert 1 liter to mL: 1 liter = 1000 mL.
  2. Calculate total infusion time in minutes: 12 hours = 12 × 60 = 720 minutes.
  3. Calculate the rate in mL/min: Rate = Total Volume ÷ Total Time = 1000 mL ÷ 720 min = 1.39 mL/min.
  4. Calculate the drip rate in gtt/min: Drip Rate = Rate (mL/min) × Drip Factor (gtt/mL) = 1.39 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 20.85 gtt/min.

If rounding is required, we round to the nearest whole number. So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 21 gtt/min.

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