The nurse is giving an intramuscular (IM) injection. Upon aspiration, the nurse notices blood return in the syringe. What should the nurse do?
Give the injection and hold pressure over the site for 3 minutes.
Administer the injection at a slower rate.
Withdraw the needle and prepare the injection again.
Pull the needle back slightly and inject the medication.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Continuing with the injection after seeing blood return increases the risk of injecting into a blood vessel, which is not safe for IM injections.
B. Administering at a slower rate does not address the issue of possible intravascular injection.
C. If blood is aspirated, the correct procedure is to withdraw the needle, dispose of the medication, and prepare a new dose to prevent intravascular administration, as IM injections are meant to be given into muscle tissue, not into a vein.
D. Pulling the needle back slightly is not recommended because it does not ensure that the needle is completely out of the blood vessel.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. After a nurse is exposed to blood from a cut by a used scalpel, it is crucial to test the patient for bloodborne pathogens (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) and to offer post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment to the nurse if indicated.
B. While removing gloves and disposing of them properly is part of standard infection control practices, it is not the primary process required after an exposure incident.
C. Although the nurse should report the incident, providing a medical evaluation should follow the protocols established by the facility, not just the manager's assessment.
D. Properly disposing of the scalpel in a sharps container is necessary for safety but does not directly address the required process for managing exposure to blood.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The Good Samaritan Law typically protects individuals who provide care in emergency situations but may not apply if the actions taken are beyond the standard of care or are not in the nurse's training.
B. While the nurse's intention was to save the patient's life, the method employed was not a recognized standard procedure for airway management and may have caused harm.
C. Waiting for help may not have been an appropriate option if the patient's airway was compromised, but the method employed by the nurse was not advisable.
D. Cutting into the trachea and using a straw as a makeshift airway are actions that exceed the typical scope of nursing practice and could be deemed inappropriate, regardless of the outcome for the patient.