Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter. What is the most important action for the nurse to take to prevent infection?

• A. Change the catheter dressing every 72 hours.
• B. Flush the catheter with heparin solution daily.
• C. Ensure the catheter is clamped when not in use.
• D. Maintain sterile technique when handling the catheter.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Maintaining sterile technique when handling a central venous catheter is crucial in preventing infections. Changing the catheter dressing every 72 hours, while important for overall catheter care, does not directly address infection prevention. Flushing the catheter with heparin solution daily is essential for maintaining patency but does not primarily prevent infections. Ensuring the catheter is clamped when not in use is important for preventing air embolism but is not the most critical action to prevent infection. The most effective way to prevent infections is by strictly adhering to sterile techniques during catheter handling, which minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the catheter site.

2. The nurse notices that the mother of a 9-year-old Vietnamese child always looks at the floor when she talks to the nurse. What action should the LPN take?

• A. Directly address the child instead of the mother.
• B. Continue asking the mother questions about the child.
• C. Request another nurse to interview the mother now.
• D. Politely ask the mother to look at you when answering.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the LPN should continue asking the mother questions about the child. The mother's behavior of looking at the floor may be a cultural practice, such as avoiding direct eye contact, which should be respected. By maintaining the conversation with the mother, the nurse acknowledges and respects her communication style, fostering trust and open dialogue. Option A is not the best choice as it may disregard the cultural context and the importance of the mother's input. Option C is unnecessary as the LPN can effectively handle the situation. Option D could be perceived as insensitive and may disrupt the rapport between the nurse and the mother.

3. A healthcare provider is providing discharge teaching to a client about self-administering heparin.

• A. Administer medication in the abdomen.
• B. Administer medication in the thigh.
• C. Administer medication in the upper arm.
• D. Administer medication in the buttock.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Heparin is typically administered in the abdomen for self-injection to avoid muscle tissue and for better absorption. The subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen provides a larger area for injection and is usually recommended for heparin administration. Administering heparin in the thigh, upper arm, or buttock may not be as effective or safe as the abdomen due to variations in absorption rates and potential risks associated with muscle injection.

4. A client has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?

• A. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
• B. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily.
• C. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.
• D. Secure the catheter to the client's leg.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cleaning the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily is essential to prevent infection when caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. This practice helps reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the urinary tract. Ensuring the catheter tubing is free of kinks (Choice A) is important for maintaining proper urine flow but is not directly related to preventing infection. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift (Choice C) is not a routine practice and can increase the risk of introducing pathogens. Securing the catheter to the client's leg (Choice D) is important for stability but does not directly prevent infection.

5. While caring for an older adult client who is violent and attempting to disconnect her IV lines, the provider prescribes soft wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while the client is in restraints?

• A. Remove the restraints one at a time
• B. Secure the restraints tightly to prevent movement
• C. Check the restraints every hour
• D. Use leather restraints for additional security

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Removing restraints one at a time is the correct action to take when caring for a client in soft wrist restraints. This approach ensures safety and comfort while still maintaining the necessary restrictions. Choice B is incorrect as securing the restraints tightly can lead to circulatory issues and discomfort. Choice C of checking the restraints every hour is a reasonable action, but it is not the priority when compared to the correct choice of removing the restraints one at a time. Choice D of using leather restraints for additional security is unnecessary and may be more restrictive and uncomfortable for the client.

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