Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
32. A nursing student selects a ½-inch needle with which to administer a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine to a 4-month-old infant. A nursing instructor's best action would be to:
. Allow the nursing student to continue preparing the vaccine.
. Stop the nursing student from preparing the vaccine.
. Question the nursing student regarding the injection route used to administer the vaccine.
. Instruct the nursing student to select a shorter needle.
Test-Taking Tip
Choose the "assessment" option (i.e., question the nursing student).
Content Area: Child Health, Immunizations; Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Health Promotion and Maintenance/Principles of Teaching and Learning
Pre-Test 1 and 2: Introduction to Special Questions Based on Official NCLEX-RN[®]
.
Answer 1 is incorrect because allowing the nursing student to continue would lead to an error that could jeopardize the infant. Answer 2 is incorrect because just stopping the nursing student is not enough as it will not lead to critical thinking regarding the correct action that needs to be taken. Answer 3 is correct because it will stimulate the nursing student to think in a critical manner. DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine is given intramuscularly and a 1-inch/2.5-cm needle must be used to deposit the vaccine deep in the muscle mass. Answer 4 is incorrect because a longer, rather than a shorter needle, is needed for the correct administration of the vaccine (i.e., deep in the muscle mass).