The nurse is caring for a patient who has a dressing over a surgical wound created the night before. The dressing has never been changed. How should the nurse proceed?
a. Change the dressing so she can assess the wound.
b. Administer an analgesic 30 to 45 minutes before a dressing change.
c. Culture the wound if wound exudate is present.
d. Administer an analgesic 30 minutes after a dressing change.
B
To promote patient comfort, administer an analgesic as ordered, usually 30 to 45 minutes before changing the dressing. However, you will need to assess to determine the best time for analgesic administration before providing wound care. Do not remove an initial surgical dressing for direct wound inspection until a physician writes a medical order for removal. The presence of wound exudate is an expected stage of epithelial cell growth.
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A nurse, who works in a clinic environment, places great emphasis on cost control, customer satisfaction, health promotion, and preventive services. The primary focus of this nurse is representative of which type of healthcare system?
A) Functional method B) Client-focused care C) Case method D) Managed care
The nurse understands that some factors affect health care delivery by creating new opportunities for the healthcare sector. Which would affect healthcare delivery?
A) Advances in technology requiring specialized personnel B) Healthcare literacy programs C) Changing demographics that increase the need for new jobs D) Managed care frameworks that coordinate clients and insurance plans
If an older adult wishes to have another person make health care decisions in his behalf should he become unable to do so himself, he should appoint:
a. a living will b. a health care representative c. a durable power of attorney for healthcare d. b or c
Which of the following observations about a patient would be considered subjective data?
A. Complaints of a headache B. A skin rash C. An irregular pulse D. A strong odor of urine