Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is unable to palpate the right radial pulse on a patient. What would the nurse do next?

• A. Auscultate over the area with a fetoscope.
• B. Use a goniometer to measure the pulsations.
• C. Use a Doppler device to check for pulsations over the area.
• D. Check for the presence of pulsations with a stethoscope.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a nurse is unable to palpate a radial pulse, the next step is to use a Doppler device to check for pulsations over the area. Doppler devices are specifically designed to augment pulse or blood pressure measurements. Auscultating with a fetoscope is used to listen to fetal heart tones and is not relevant in this scenario. Goniometers are used to measure joint range of motion and are not used to assess pulses. Stethoscopes are primarily used to auscultate breath, bowel, and heart sounds, not to check for pulsations in peripheral pulses. Therefore, the correct course of action when unable to palpate a pulse is to utilize a Doppler device to assess for pulsations in the radial pulse area.

2. Which bloodborne pathogen is the most virulent? (Choose the BEST answer.)

• A. HCV
• B. HPV
• C. HIV
• D. HBV

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). Hepatitis C is considered the most virulent bloodborne pathogen, being 100 times more virulent than Hepatitis B. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a sexually transmitted infection but is not a bloodborne pathogen. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) affects the immune system but is not as virulent as Hepatitis C in terms of bloodborne transmission. HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) is less virulent compared to HCV in the context of bloodborne transmission.

3. A client is being assisted with ambulation in the hallway using a gait belt when they become dizzy and start to faint. What is the first action the nurse should take?

• A. Stand behind the client and prepare to catch them if they fall
• B. Assist the client to sit in the nearest chair or slide down along a wall
• C. Grasp the client under the arms and pull them upward
• D. Call for help from nearby staff

Correct answer: A

Rationale: If a client becomes dizzy and starts to faint while being assisted with ambulation, the nurse's first action should be to assist the client into a sitting position to prevent or reduce the impact of a fall. This can be done by guiding the client to sit in the nearest chair or sliding down along a wall for support. Option A is incorrect because standing behind the client may not prevent a fall and could potentially lead to injury. Option C is incorrect as pulling the client upward may worsen the situation. Option D, calling for help, is not the first action to take when the client is at risk of falling.

4. A nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's indwelling catheter through a closed, intermittent system. Which of the following steps must the nurse take as part of this process?

• A. Use sterile solution at room temperature
• B. Position the client in a comfortable position
• C. Clamp the catheter at the level above the injection port
• D. Inject sterile solution through the injection port into the catheter

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When performing closed intermittent system catheter irrigation, the nurse should use sterile solution at room temperature with sterile technique. It is important to position the client comfortably for easy access to the catheter site and to assess the abdomen during the procedure. Clamping the catheter should be done below the level of the injection port, not above. The correct step is to inject sterile solution through the injection port into the catheter, allowing the fluid to travel up the catheter to irrigate the tubing and the bladder.

5. A patient's Foley catheter has been discontinued. You will dispose of this patient equipment by doing which of the following?

• A. Wearing gloves and then placing this equipment in the regular trash can after it is placed in a paper bag.
• B. Simply placing this equipment in the regular trash can after it is placed in a paper bag.
• C. Wearing gloves and then placing this equipment into a special 'hazardous waste' container.
• D. Simply placing this equipment in the 'hazardous waste' container after it is placed in a paper bag.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When disposing of used patient equipment, such as a Foley catheter, that has come in contact with bodily fluids, it is considered hazardous waste. The correct procedure involves wearing gloves and placing the Foley bag and tubing into a special 'hazardous waste' container. This container is marked as 'Hazardous' and is typically red to indicate the potential danger of its contents. Placing the equipment in a regular trash can, even if placed in a paper bag, is not appropriate as it does not meet the standards for disposing of hazardous waste. Therefore, options A and B are incorrect. Similarly, simply placing the equipment in a 'hazardous waste' container after it is placed in a paper bag is also incorrect as direct disposal into the designated container while wearing gloves is the proper protocol, making option D incorrect.

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