Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
63. A 3-year-old child has ingested some "pink pills" in an unlabeled bottle found on the floor of the garage. In what order should a nurse correctly perform a gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal?
. Perform the gastric lavage and then administer the activated charcoal.
. Administer the activated charcoal and then perform the gastric lavage.
. Perform the gastric lavage, leave the saline solution in the stomach, and administer the activated charcoal.
. Question the order because gastric lavage and activated charcoal are not used together.
Test-Taking Tip
Focus on the contradictory options here. Since Answer 1 is the opposite of Answer 2, one of them is wrong. Look at the stem that happens to state the correct order: wash and then administer . . . select Answer 1!
Content Area: Child Health, Poisoning; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Reduction of Risk Potential/Therapeutic Procedures
Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
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Answer 1 is correct because the ingested toxin is removed by lavage from the stomach, and then the activated charcoal is instilled to aid in the absorption and removal of any medication left after the gastric lavage is completed. To "lavage" means to wash the stomach and remove the saline when the lavage is completed. Answer 2 is incorrect because the ingested toxin must be first removed by lavage, and then the activated charcoal is instilled to aid in the absorption and removal of any medication left after the gastric lavage is completed. Answer 3 is incorrect because the saline solution contains toxic particles which must be removed before the activated charcoal is instilled, which will help to absorb and remove any medication that is left after the gastric lavage is completed. Answer 4 is incorrect because gastric lavage and activated charcoal are used together in a sequential pattern when attempting to remove ingested toxins from the stomach.