A client arrives to the medical-surgical unit 4 hours after a transurethral resection of the prostate. A triple lumen catheter for continuous bladder irrigation with normal saline is infusing, and the nurse observes dark, pink-tinged outflow with blood clots in the tubing and collection bag. Which action should the nurse take?
Discontinue infusing solution.
Irrigate the catheter manually.
Monitor catheter drainage.
Decrease the flow rate.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Discontinuing the infusion may lead to increased clotting and potential obstruction of the catheter. Continuous bladder irrigation is essential to keep the bladder clear of clots and debris following surgery.
B. Manually irrigating the catheter can help clear any clots that may be obstructing the catheter, ensuring adequate drainage and preventing complications such as bladder distention or retention. This is the most immediate and appropriate action to take in response to the presence of clots.
C. Monitoring catheter drainage is important; however, it does not address the potential issue of clots obstructing the flow of urine, which is the priority concern in this scenario.
D. Decreasing the flow rate may not be beneficial and could lead to inadequate irrigation of the bladder, which could exacerbate clot formation and urinary retention.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Administering aspirin is not appropriate at this time, as it may delay treatment for a stroke if that is the underlying cause.
B. Maintaining elevated positioning of the dependent joints is not a priority in this acute situation and does not address the immediate needs of the client showing signs of possible stroke.
C. Verifying laboratory tests like prothrombin time and platelet count is important but is not an immediate intervention that addresses the acute condition.
D. Starting two large bore IV catheters and reviewing criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy is crucial because the client presents with signs of a potential stroke. Rapid identification and treatment are essential to improving outcomes in acute ischemic stroke cases.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Selecting another finger is the best action to prevent discomfort and ensure an accurate blood sample. The reddened and engorged tip may indicate that milking the finger caused bruising or altered blood flow, which can affect the glucose reading.
B. Applying pressure to the site may be appropriate after collecting a sample, but it does not address the issue of obtaining an accurate sample from an engorged finger.
C. Assessing radial pulse volume is not relevant in this situation and does not address the problem at hand.
D. Collecting the blood sample from a reddened and engorged finger could yield an inaccurate result, so it is better to select a different finger.