Clinical Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real RPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Skills flashcards as text
A patient has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. The nurse notices the water level in the water-seal chamber is not fluctuating (tidaling). What does this indicate?
Answer: The lung has re-expanded or the tube is kinked/obstructed
Absence of tidaling indicates either successful lung re-expansion (expected) or a kinked or obstructed tube (requiring assessment).
When applying elastic compression stockings (TED hose), which action is correct?
Answer: Apply stockings while the patient is supine before dependent edema accumulates
Compression stockings should be applied while the patient is supine (legs elevated) to prevent trapping edema under the stocking.
The nurse is performing a capillary blood glucose test. After the lancet puncture, what is the correct action regarding the first drop of blood?
Answer: Wipe away the first drop and use the second drop
The first drop of blood may be contaminated with tissue fluid, so it is wiped away and the second drop is applied to the test strip for accurate results.
A patient returns from surgery with a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain. The nurse notes the bulb is fully expanded. What action should be taken?
Answer: Empty the drain and recompress the bulb to restore suction
A fully expanded JP drain bulb has lost suction; it must be emptied, measured, the output recorded, and the bulb recompressed to restore negative pressure drainage.
Which site is preferred for intramuscular injection in an infant younger than 12 months?
Answer: Vastus lateralis
The vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh) is the preferred IM injection site in infants because it is large and well-developed at this age.
A patient using a walker is descending stairs. Which instruction is correct?
Answer: Walkers are not safe for stair use; use crutches instead
Standard walkers are not designed for stair use; patients requiring stairs need crutches or a stair-capable assistive device.
During suctioning of an adult patient's airway, the nurse applies suction for how long per pass?
Answer: 10–15 seconds
Suctioning should be limited to 10–15 seconds per pass to prevent hypoxia, mucosal trauma, and vagal stimulation.
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