Next Next Clinical Skills and Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing nasogastric (NG) tube insertion, which action confirms correct placement before use?
- Testing pH of aspirate and confirming with X-ray (Correct answer)
- Auscultating for gurgling while instilling air
- Placing tube end in water to check for bubbles
- Observing patient for coughing as confirmation
Correct answer: Testing pH of aspirate and confirming with X-ray
The most reliable method to confirm NG tube placement is obtaining a gastric aspirate with pH ≤5 combined with radiographic confirmation via X-ray.
Question 2: A nurse is changing a wound dressing with moderate serosanguineous drainage. Which dressing type is MOST appropriate?
- Dry gauze dressing
- Transparent film dressing
- Alginate or foam dressing (Correct answer)
- Hydrocolloid wafer
Correct answer: Alginate or foam dressing
Alginate and foam dressings are highly absorbent and are specifically designed for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate.
Question 3: Which position is MOST appropriate for a patient experiencing hypovolemic shock?
- Prone position
- High-Fowler's position (90 degrees)
- Modified Trendelenburg (legs elevated 20–30 degrees) (Correct answer)
- Left lateral recumbent position
Correct answer: Modified Trendelenburg (legs elevated 20–30 degrees)
Modified Trendelenburg positioning elevates the legs to promote venous return and increase preload in a hypovolemic patient.
Question 4: When obtaining a blood specimen from a central venous catheter (CVC), the nurse should first discard how much blood?
- 1–2 mL
- 5–10 mL (Correct answer)
- 15–20 mL
- No discard is needed
Correct answer: 5–10 mL
Discarding 5–10 mL of blood from a CVC clears the line of flush solution and heparin to ensure accurate lab results.
Question 5: Which finding indicates that a peripheral IV site has become infiltrated?
- Redness and warmth at the site
- Coolness, pallor, and swelling at the site (Correct answer)
- Fever and chills
- Blood backing up into the tubing
Correct answer: Coolness, pallor, and swelling at the site
Infiltration occurs when IV fluid infuses into surrounding tissue, causing coolness, pallor, swelling, and discomfort rather than the warmth of phlebitis.
Question 6: A nurse must administer a medication via Z-track injection. What is the correct technique?
- Inject into the deltoid and massage vigorously after
- Pull skin 1–1.5 inches laterally, inject, hold 10 seconds, then release skin (Correct answer)
- Insert needle at 45-degree angle and aspirate before injecting
- Use a 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle and inject rapidly
Correct answer: Pull skin 1–1.5 inches laterally, inject, hold 10 seconds, then release skin
The Z-track method involves displacing skin laterally before injection and holding for 10 seconds after to prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue.
Next Next Clinical Skills and Procedures 2
When performing nasogastric (NG) tube insertion, which action confirms correct placement before use?