Clinical Procedures & Protocols Flashcards

A parish nurse is teaching proper hand hygiene. According to CDC guidelines, how long should alcohol-based hand rub be rubbed into the hands?

Answer: Until the product has evaporated and hands are dry

The CDC recommends rubbing alcohol-based hand rub over all hand surfaces until the product has completely evaporated, which typically takes 20–30 seconds.

During a community health screening, a parish nurse finds a client with a total cholesterol of 215 mg/dL. How should this result be classified?

Answer: Borderline high

According to NCEP/AHA guidelines, a total cholesterol of 200–239 mg/dL is classified as borderline high and warrants lifestyle counseling and follow-up.

A parish nurse is assisting a congregation member who reports chest pain. After calling 911, which action is appropriate while waiting for EMS?

Answer: Have the client chew one adult aspirin (325 mg) if not allergic and no contraindications

Chewing aspirin immediately during a suspected heart attack inhibits platelet aggregation and may reduce myocardial damage; this is recommended unless allergic or contraindicated.

When applying a topical medication during a home visit, the parish nurse should:

Answer: Wear gloves to prevent absorption of the medication

Gloves must be worn when applying topical medications to prevent accidental absorption of the drug through the nurse's skin.

A parish nurse is educating a client with hypertension about the DASH diet. Which food group should be significantly increased?

Answer: Fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy

The DASH diet emphasizes increased intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, and is proven to lower blood pressure.

A congregation member reports they have been taking ibuprofen daily for 3 weeks for knee pain. The parish nurse should counsel them about which primary risk?

Answer: Gastrointestinal bleeding and renal impairment with prolonged NSAID use

Prolonged NSAID use such as ibuprofen significantly increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, and renal impairment, especially in older adults.

A parish nurse is teaching a client how to correctly use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) without a spacer. What is the correct sequence for step 3 after removing the cap and shaking the inhaler?

Answer: Exhale fully, hold inhaler 1–2 inches from the open mouth, inhale slowly while pressing canister, hold breath 10 seconds

Correct MDI technique requires exhaling fully, positioning the inhaler 1–2 inches from the open mouth, pressing the canister while inhaling slowly, and holding the breath for 10 seconds to maximize drug deposition.