Question 1

Anaerobic organisms tend to grow within body cavities.What will the nurse use to collect an anaerobic specimen?
A) Sterile cotton applicator
B) Sterile culture tube
C) Sterile syringe tip
D) Sterile glass rod

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic organisms tend to grow in areas where there is no oxygen present, such as body cavities. To collect an anaerobic specimen, a sterile syringe tip would be the best choice as it can be used to aspirate fluids from the body cavity without introducing any oxygen. Sterile cotton applicators, culture tubes, and glass rods are not ideal for collecting anaerobic specimens.

Question 2

The patient is to be catheterized for residual urine.The nurse must perform this catheterization within how many minutes following voiding?
A) 40 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 10 minutes

Accepted Answer

Catheterization is performed within 10 minutes of the patient voiding to check for residual urine.

Question 3

The nurse is obtaining a throat culture.What area will the nurse swab with a cotton-tipped applicator?
A) Larynx
B) Oral mucosa
C) Pharynx
D) Trachea

Accepted Answer

The nurse will obtain a throat culture by swabbing the pharynx. This is the area at the back of the throat, behind the mouth and nose, where the tonsils and adenoids are located. It is the most appropriate area to collect a sample for a throat culture.

Question 4

The nurse is collecting a specimen for a wound culture.What should be avoided when collecting this specimen?
A) A dressing
B) Deep in the wound
C) The outer edge of the wound
D) Old drainage

Accepted Answer

The nurse should not collect a wound culture from old drainage.

Question 5

A sputum specimen is ordered on a patient diagnosed with pneumonia.When is the best time for the nurse to the attempt to collect this specimen?
A) At bedtime
B) After lunch
C) In the early morning
D) After breakfast

Accepted Answer

The best time to collect a sputum specimen is in the early morning, before the patient eats or drinks anything. This is because the specimen will be most concentrated and thus more likely to contain the microorganisms causing the pneumonia.

Question 6

Following a liver biopsy,the nurse should observe for hemorrhage and ensure that the patient is kept on bed rest for 24 hours.How should the nurse keep the patient for the first 1 to 2 hours?
A) On his or her left side
B) On his or her back
C) On his or her right side
D) In high Fowler's position

Accepted Answer

The patient should be positioned on their right side for the first 1-2 hours following a liver biopsy to help tamponade any potential bleeding from the biopsy site. This position allows the liver to be in close contact with the diaphragm, which promotes hemostasis. After the first 1-2 hours, the patient can be repositioned as necessary for comfort.

Question 7

The patient has undergone a lumbar puncture.What position will the nurse place the patient in for up to 12 hours to avoid discomfort from postpuncture spinal headache?
A) Supine
B) Lateral
C) Sims
D) Prone

Accepted Answer

After a lumbar puncture, placing the patient in a supine position for up to 12 hours helps minimize the risk of a postpuncture spinal headache by allowing the puncture site in the dura mater to heal and preventing cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Question 8

What health care professional has the responsibility for notifying the health care provider when laboratory and diagnostic studies deviate from the norm?
A) Laboratory technician
B) Cooperating health care provider
C) Nurse
D) Supervisor

Accepted Answer

As a member of the health care team that works most closely with patients, nurses are responsible for monitoring and assessing the results of laboratory and diagnostic studies. If the results deviate from the norm, it is the nurse's responsibility to notify the health care provider so that appropriate action can be taken. While laboratory technicians and supervisors may also be involved in the process, it is ultimately the nurse who is responsible for communication and coordination with the rest of the health care team. Cooperating health care providers may also be involved in the care of the patient, but they may not have access to the same information or expertise as the nurse who is directly providing care at the bedside.

Question 9

The nurse should administer Telepaque in preparation for a cholecystogram.How frequently will the nurse administer 1 tablet of Telepaque before this procedure?
A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 10 minutes
C) Every 15 minutes
D) Every 20 minutes

Accepted Answer

Telepaque should be taken one at a time,waiting 15 minutes after each tablet.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing a patient for a diagnostic examination.What can the nurse implement to assist with reducing anxiety?
A) Explain the costs of the examination.
B) Demonstrate use of equipment.
C) Answer questions for clarification.
D) Fill out required paperwork.

Accepted Answer

The nurse must be prepared to answer questions that the patient may have to reduce anxiety and give valid information.

Question 11

New health care provider orders are transcribed for a patient to receive a colonoscopy.What must be completed before the colonoscopy to indicate the patient has been given full knowledge about what will be done along with its risks and complications?
A) Patients' rights
B) Advance directive
C) Informed consent
D) Patient protection

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is necessary before any medical procedure is performed, including a colonoscopy. Informed consent is the process in which a patient is fully informed about the risks and benefits of the procedure they will undergo, as well as any potential complications that may arise. The patient must sign a consent form indicating that they understand and agree to the procedure before it can be performed.

Question 12

What is the term for the cleanest part of a voided urine specimen that is collected after voiding is initiated and before it is finished?
A) Sterile specimen
B) "Caught" specimen
C) Midstream specimen
D) Patient-collected specimen

Accepted Answer

The term for the cleanest part of a voided urine specimen that is collected after voiding is initiated and before it is finished is midstream specimen. A sterile specimen implies that the entire collection process was performed under sterile conditions. A "caught" specimen is not a commonly used term. Patient-collected specimen is a general term that encompasses various types of urine specimens collected by the patient, including midstream specimens.

Question 13

What type of stool specimen must be sent to the laboratory immediately?
A) Occult blood
B) Ova and parasites
C) Infection
D) Fats

Accepted Answer

Stool specimens for ova and parasites should be sent to the laboratory immediately because delay in processing can result in false-negative results. Occult blood, infection, and fats can typically be sent to the laboratory within a certain timeframe without affecting the accuracy of the test results.

Question 14

A patient is required to provide a sample of body excretions per health care provider order.What action can the nurse take when providing proper instructions to lessen the patient's embarrassment?
A) Instruct patient to provide the specimen behind a screen.
B) Instruct patient to obtain his or her own specimen.
C) Instruct patient to return later when he or she is more comfortable.
D) Instruct patient to use a CNA for assistance to obtain the specimen.

Accepted Answer

With proper instruction,many patients may obtain their own specimen.

Question 15

A patient is unable to obtain a sputum specimen by coughing and expectorating.What is the best way for the nurse to collect this specimen?
A) Ask the patient to spit.
B) Direct the patient to turn,cough,and breathe deeply.
C) Perform tracheal suctioning.
D) Perform a bronchoscopy.

Accepted Answer

If a patient is unable to produce a sputum specimen by coughing and expectorating, the next best option is to perform tracheal suctioning. This involves passing a catheter through the nose or mouth and into the trachea to collect a specimen directly from the lungs. This method is more invasive than coughing up sputum, but can be effective when other options have failed. Asking the patient to spit or directing them to turn, cough, and breathe deeply may not be effective in obtaining a specimen, and performing a bronchoscopy is a more invasive and expensive procedure that may not be necessary in this situation.

Question 16

What is the rationale for the nurse to assess a patient's knowledge of an ordered procedure?
A) To determine difficulties the patient may encounter
B) To determine the nurse's role in the procedure
C) To determine health teaching required
D) To determine anxiety the patient has

Accepted Answer

The nurse will need to assess the patient's knowledge of the procedure to determine the level of health care teaching needed.

Question 17

What is the probable source of bright red blood in the stool?
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine
C) Lower gastrointestinal tract
D) Higher intestinal tract

Accepted Answer

Bright red blood in the stool typically indicates bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, which includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Bleeding from the stomach or small intestine appears as black, tarry stools, known as melena. Bleeding in the higher intestinal tract, such as the duodenum, may also appear as black or tarry stools.

Question 18

The process for collecting a blood specimen for measuring blood glucose levels begins by asking the patient to hold the selected arm at his or her side for 30 seconds.From what anatomic location is the specimen obtained?
A) Tip of the finger
B) Cubital fossa
C) Side of the finger
D) Center of the thumb

Accepted Answer

The specimen should be collected from the side of the selected finger to avoid painful fingertip sticks.

Question 19

What should the nurse assess the patient for before administration of contrast media?
A) Has been NPO.
B) Is allergic to iodine.
C) Has emptied the bladder.
D) Has taken medication.

Accepted Answer

Contrast media often contain iodine, which can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. It is crucial to assess for iodine allergies to prevent adverse reactions during the procedure.

Question 20

The nurse explains that electrocardiograms are graphic representations of electric impulses generated by the heart.What type of abnormalities can an electrocardiogram identify?
A) Those that produce a cardiac cycle
B) Those that interfere with electric conduction
C) Those that result from an interrupted blood flow
D) Those that interfere with heart contraction

Accepted Answer

Electrocardiograms can identify abnormalities that interfere with electric conduction in the heart, such as arrhythmias or conduction delays. They may also provide clues about other types of cardiac issues, such as abnormal rhythms, heart muscle damage, or electrolyte imbalances. However, they cannot directly diagnose issues related to blood flow or heart contraction.

Quiz 23: Specimen Collection and Diagnostic Testing

Anaerobic organisms tend to grow within body cavities.What will the nurse use to collect an anaerobic specimen?

The patient is to be catheterized for residual urine.The nurse must perform this catheterization within how many minutes following voiding?

The nurse is obtaining a throat culture.What area will the nurse swab with a cotton-tipped applicator?

The nurse is collecting a specimen for a wound culture.What should be avoided when collecting this specimen?

A sputum specimen is ordered on a patient diagnosed with pneumonia.When is the best time for the nurse to the attempt to collect this specimen?

Following a liver biopsy,the nurse should observe for hemorrhage and ensure that the patient is kept on bed rest for 24 hours.How should the nurse keep the patient for the first 1 to 2 hours?

The patient has undergone a lumbar puncture.What position will the nurse place the patient in for up to 12 hours to avoid discomfort from postpuncture spinal headache?

What health care professional has the responsibility for notifying the health care provider when laboratory and diagnostic studies deviate from the norm?

The nurse should administer Telepaque in preparation for a cholecystogram.How frequently will the nurse administer 1 tablet of Telepaque before this procedure?

The nurse is preparing a patient for a diagnostic examination.What can the nurse implement to assist with reducing anxiety?

New health care provider orders are transcribed for a patient to receive a colonoscopy.What must be completed before the colonoscopy to indicate the patient has been given full knowledge about what will be done along with its risks and complications?

What is the term for the cleanest part of a voided urine specimen that is collected after voiding is initiated and before it is finished?

What type of stool specimen must be sent to the laboratory immediately?

A patient is required to provide a sample of body excretions per health care provider order.What action can the nurse take when providing proper instructions to lessen the patient's embarrassment?

A patient is unable to obtain a sputum specimen by coughing and expectorating.What is the best way for the nurse to collect this specimen?

What is the rationale for the nurse to assess a patient's knowledge of an ordered procedure?

What is the probable source of bright red blood in the stool?

The process for collecting a blood specimen for measuring blood glucose levels begins by asking the patient to hold the selected arm at his or her side for 30 seconds.From what anatomic location is the specimen obtained?

What should the nurse assess the patient for before administration of contrast media?

The nurse explains that electrocardiograms are graphic representations of electric impulses generated by the heart.What type of abnormalities can an electrocardiogram identify?