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
Which sign indicates that a wound is healing by primary intention?
Answer: Wound edges are approximated with minimal scar formation
Primary intention healing occurs when wound edges are closed and approximated, resulting in minimal scar tissue.
A nurse notices that a patient's IV site is cool, pale, and swollen but the infusion is still running. What complication is occurring?
Answer: Infiltration
Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, causing coolness, pallor, and swelling at the site.
When performing postural drainage for a patient with secretions in the right lower lobe, what position should the nurse use?
Answer: Left lateral with foot of bed elevated
Draining the right lower lobe requires left lateral positioning with the foot of bed elevated so gravity moves secretions toward the central airways.
A nurse is performing tracheostomy care. When should the inner cannula be replaced or cleaned?
Answer: Every 8 hours or per facility protocol
Inner cannulas are cleaned or replaced every 8 hours (or per facility protocol) to prevent secretion buildup and maintain airway patency.
During administration of a blood transfusion, the patient develops fever, chills, and low back pain within 15 minutes. What is the priority nursing action?
Answer: Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline
Signs of an acute hemolytic reaction require immediately stopping the transfusion while keeping venous access with normal saline, then notifying the provider and blood bank.
Which technique is used to verify correct placement of a small-bore (dobhoff) feeding tube before initiating enteral feedings?
Answer: Checking gastric pH of aspirate and confirming with X-ray
Radiographic confirmation plus aspirate pH testing (pH <5 suggests gastric placement) is the gold standard for verifying small-bore feeding tube placement.
A nurse is teaching a patient to use a peak flow meter. Which instruction is correct?
Answer: Stand or sit upright, inhale deeply, place meter in mouth, and exhale as hard and fast as possible
Peak flow is measured by a maximal forced exhalation after a deep inhalation, with the patient upright, to obtain an accurate measurement of airflow.
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