What should the nurse do when performing suture or staple removal?

a. Snip both ends of the sutures.
b. Apply tension to the suture line to remove the sutures.
c. Pull the exposed surface of the suture through the tissue below the epidermis.
d. Apply Steri-Strips if any separation greater than the width of two stitches is present.


D
Apply Steri-Strips if any separation greater than two stitches or two staples in width is apparent, to maintain contact between wound edges. This supports the wound by distributing tension across the wound and eliminates closure technique scarring. Never snip both ends of the suture; there will be no way to remove the part of the suture situated below the surface. Grasp the knotted end with forceps, and in one continuous smooth action, pull the suture through from the other side; this smoothly removes the suture without additional tension to the suture line. Tension on the suture line is not required. Never pull the exposed surface of any suture into tissue below the epidermis. The exposed surface of any suture is considered contaminated.

Nursing

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The nurse is selected to participate on a committee to write critical pathways for a specific set of medical diagnoses. Which are advantages of using this approach when providing client care?

Select all that apply. A) Link nursing diagnoses with specific assessment data B) Sequence the care that is to be given on a particular day C) Identify interventions, time frames, and expected outcomes D) List medical treatments to be performed by other providers E) Provide specific columns for diagnosis, interventions, and evaluation

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Which of the following actions represent proper body mechanics for nurses providing care as well as teaching patients about safe body movements? Choose all that apply

1) Stand with the body in alignment and erect posture. 2) Bend at the waist to lift heavy objects from the floor. 3) Use a wide base of support with your feet at shoulder width. 4) Keep objects close to your body when carrying them.

Nursing

Construct validity is the degree to which an instrument measures the ____________ it was intended to measure

a. statistical basis b. theoretical concept c. hypothesis d. observation

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