The nurse is preparing to administer an infusion of dopamine (Intropin) using a smart pump. After programming the pump and attaching the IV to the client, what action by the nurse is most important?
a. Start the infusion as ordered.
b. Hand-calculate the infusion rate.
c. Ensure that the pump is plugged in.
d. Place a "time tape" on the IV bag.
B
Using a smart pump does not relieve the nurse of the responsibility of ensuring that the rate is correct. Pumps can malfunction or can be programmed incorrectly, and concentrations of solution can change and differ from the pump's drug library. The nurse must hand-calculate the rate before starting the infusion, then must ensure that the pump is plugged into an electrical source. "Time tapes" on the sides of IV bags are no longer used to show approximate volume infused.
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Recognizing that a patient experiencing stress most likely feels vulnerable, the nurse intervenes by:
a. using technical language. b. directing the conversation. c. modifying communication methods. d. offering all the information.
The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient with a pulmonary artery catheter who is receiving continuous enteral tube feedings. When obtaining continuous hemodynamic monitoring measurements, what is the best nursing action?
a. Do not document hemodynamic values until the patient can be placed in the supine position. b. Level and zero reference the air-fluid interface of the transducer with the patient in the supine position and record hemodynamic values. c. Level and zero reference the air-fluid interface of the transducer with the patient's head of bed elevated to 30 degrees and record hemodynamic values. d. Level and zero reference the air-fluid interface of the transducer with the patient supine in the side-lying position and record hemodynamic values.
What is the most common type of burn in the toddler age group?
a. Electric burn from electrical outlets b. Flame burn from playing with matches c. Hot object burn from cigarettes or irons d. Scald burn from high-temperature tap water
The nurse is caring for a client who is taking simvastatin (Zocor). What should the nurse instruct this client to avoid while taking this medication?
1. All fruit juices 2. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements 3. Grapefruit juice 4. Orange juice