Deck 15: Specimen Collection and Diagnostic Testing

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Prone

Question 2

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

A) Every 5 minutes
B) Every 10 minutes
C) Every 15 minutes
D) Every 20 minutes

Answer 2

Every 15 minutes

Question 3

A patient is required to provide a sample of body excretions per physician 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.

Answer 3

Instruct patient to obtain his or her own specimen.

Question 4

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

Question 5

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

A) Laboratory technician
B) Cooperating physician
C) Nurse
D) Supervisor

Question 6

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

Question 7

The nurse explains that electrocardiograms are graphic representations of electrical 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 electrical conduction
C) Those that result from an interrupted blood flow
D) Those that interfere with heart contraction

Question 8

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 position

Question 9

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

Question 10

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

Question 11

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

Question 12

New physician 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

Question 13

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

Question 14

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

Question 15

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

A) Occult blood
B) Ova and parasites
C) Infection
D) Fats

Question 16

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

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

Following an intravenous pyelogram, the nurse should watch the patient closely for a delayed reaction to the dye, usually occurring within ___ to ___ hours following the procedure.

Question 22

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for a bone scan?

A) Sedate the patient
B) Restrict food intake
C) Restrict fluid intake
D) Encourage water intake

Question 23

What intervention should the nurse implement when preparing the patient for a glucose tolerance test (GTT)?

A) Restrict water intake before the test
B) Encourage water intake before the test
C) Keep patient NPO 4 hours before the test
D) Instruct patient to have a full bladder for the test

Question 24

The procedure for collecting a sterile urine specimen via a catheter port includes clamping the Foley catheter tubing below the catheter port. How long will the clamp remain in place?

A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 30 minutes

Question 25

The nurse is preparing a patient for a barium enema. What color will the nurse inform the patient his stools will be following this procedure?

A) Blue
B) White
C) Green
D) Brown

Question 26

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for a bronchoscopy?

A) Instruct the patient to hold his or her breath during the procedure
B) Instruct the patient to remain NPO 24 hours before the procedure
C) Obtain informed consent after premedicating the patient
D) Reassure the patient that he or she will be able to breathe during the procedure

Question 27

What should the nurse encourage the patient to consume when preparing for an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

A) Tea
B) Food
C) Cola
D) Coffee

Question 28

After a bone scan, the nurse assesses a hematoma at the injection site of the dye. The nurse should apply ______ soaks or compresses.

Question 29

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for an abdominal scan?

A) Assess laboratory results only for liver function
B) Assess patient for allergies to dye or shellfish
C) Instruct patient to limit fluid intake immediately following procedure
D) Instruct patient to be NPO for 1 hour before scan if contrast medium is used

Question 30

A patient has just had a liver biopsy. What should the nurse do immediately following this procedure?

A) Assist the patient up to a chair
B) Keep the patient on his or her left side
C) Assist the patient with ambulation
D) Tell the patient to avoid coughing

Question 31

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for a brain scan?

A) Allow the patient to wear a wig during the scan
B) Allow the patient to wear a partial denture plate during the scan
C) Inform the patient that a clicking noise will be heard during the scan
D) Keep the patient NPO for 12 hours before scan if contrast dye is used

Question 32

When collecting a stool specimen for a guaiac (occult blood in stool), the nurse should take a specimen from _____ different parts of the stool.

Question 33

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for an exercise tolerance test (treadmill)?

A) Withhold all foods and fluids before the test
B) Withhold all heart medications before the test
C) Allow the patient to drink water before the test
D) Allow the patient to consume food before the test

Question 34

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for an arteriography?

A) Verify if the patient has been taking anticoagulants
B) Keep the patient NPO for 24 hours before the procedure
C) Instruct the patient to have a full bladder for the procedure
D) Inform the patient that a coldness may be felt when dye is injected

Question 35

When initiating a 24-hour urine collection, the nurse asks the patient to void. The nurse then _______ the specimen.

Question 36

What should the nurse do when preparing the patient for an amniocentesis?

A) Restrict food intake
B) Restrict fluid intake
C) Monitor fetal heart tones
D) Inform patient results will be available immediately

Question 37

The nurse is caring for a patient following a bronchoscopy and maintains NPO status for 2 hours. What additional assessment will indicate to the nurse that this patient's risk for aspiration has decreased?

A) Patient is fully awake
B) Patient asks for a drink
C) Gag reflex has returned
D) Preoperative medication has worn off

Question 38

The nurse has an order to perform occult blood testing on a patient's emesis. What color will the sample turn to indicate that the test is positive for occult blood?

A) Red
B) Blue
C) Green
D) Yellow

Question 39

When performing a venipuncture, the tourniquet should be left on no more than ____ to ____ minutes.

Question 40

The nurse is preparing to collect a urine specimen. What will this nurse include when labeling this specimen? (Select all that apply.)

A) Date and time of collection
B) Identification of last name only
C) Room number
D) Medical record number
E) Insurance information