The nurse is completing a skin assessment on a patient with darkly pigmented skin. Which item should the nurse use first to assist in staging an ulcer on this patient?

a. Disposable measuring tape
b. Cotton-tipped applicator
c. Sterile gloves
d. Halogen light


ANS: D
When assessing a patient with darkly pigmented skin, proper lighting is essential to accurately complete the first step in assessment—inspection—and the entire assessment process. Natural light or a halogen light is recommended. Fluorescent light sources can produce blue tones on darkly pigmented skin and can interfere with an accurate assessment. Other items that could possibly be used during the assessment include gloves for infection control, a disposable measuring device to measure the size of the wound, and a cotton-tipped applicator to measure the depth of the wound, but these items are not the first items used.

Nursing

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Nursing

The nurse is assisting the physician during a colonoscopy procedure. The nurse helps the client to assume which of the following positions for the procedure?

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Nursing