A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a syringe needle after administering an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water.
Go to employee health services.
Complete an incident report.
Report the incident to the charge nurse.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Washing the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water is the first and most immediate action to reduce the risk of infection and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. This should be done as soon as possible after the injury.
B. Going to employee health services is necessary but should follow immediate first aid measures.
C. Completing an incident report is important for documentation and accountability but is not the immediate priority after a needle-stick injury.
D. Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is necessary for proper protocol but does not take precedence over ensuring the injury is properly cleaned first.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Kussmaul respirations are characterized by deep, rapid breathing typically associated with metabolic acidosis, not alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea.
B. Apneustic respirations involve prolonged inspiration and shorter expiration phases, usually seen in brain injuries, but do not reflect alternating hyperventilation and apnea.
C. Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound indicative of upper airway obstruction, which does not describe the breathing pattern in this scenario.
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations are defined by alternating periods of deep, rapid breathing (hyperventilation) followed by periods of no breathing (apnea), making this the correct choice for the client’s described pattern.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Contacting the pharmacy may provide information, but the nurse's primary responsibility is to clarify the prescription with the provider, as they ordered the medication.
B. Informing the charge nurse and administering the medication without verifying the dosage is inappropriate and could potentially harm the client.
C. Asking another nurse to verify the dosage is a good practice but does not address the need for clarification from the provider.
D. Contacting the provider to question the dosage is the correct action, as it ensures patient safety by confirming the appropriateness of the prescribed dose before administration.