Author Question: A child in the pediatric intensive care unit has a pulse oximeter for continuous oxygen saturation ... (Read 86 times)

MGLQZ · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A child in the pediatric intensive care unit has a pulse oximeter for continuous oxygen saturation readings. Which action by the nurse is important for this patient's safety?

A.
Calibrate and zero the oximeter once per shift.
B.
Ensure the machine stays plugged in at all times.
C.
Have maintenance inspect the machine before use.
D.
Move the oximeter probe to a new site each day.

Question 2

A child in the pediatric intensive care unit is alert and able to eat. The child's parent asks the nurse Why do you keep feeding my child so much? I don't want her to become fat. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A.
I understand your concerns and would be worried too.
B.
She is undernourished and needs to gain some weight.
C.
Very sick children need more nutrition for healing.
D.
We are monitoring her intake and she won't get fat.

hollysheppard095 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The probe of a pulse oximeter uses infrared light, which can damage skin. The nurse should move the probe and inspect the skin underneath it per facility policy or at least once a day. Biomedical equipment has an inspection and maintenance schedule, and the nurse should not have to ask to have the machine inspected before use. Oximeters are not zeroed. The machine should stay plugged in whenever possible, but batteries allow for portability.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The parent needs an objective, factual rationale for feeding the child what to the parent seems to be too much food. Critically ill children have higher metabolic rates and need more high-quality calories for healing. The nurse should not convey worry about the child's weight, nor should the nurse state that the child is malnourished unless that is the case. There is no information in the stem of the question that suggests this. Stating that the child won't get fat is playing into the parent's concern about weight without giving any objective reason for the increased intake.