The nurse is preparing to obtain a nasal washing from a child. What equipment should the nurse gather for the procedure? (Select all that apply.)

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nasal washings may be obtained to identify viral pathogens and guide therapy in some respiratory conditions. The child is placed supine, and 1 to 3 ml of sterile normal saline is instilled with a sterile syringe (without a needle) into one nostril. The contents are aspirated with a syringe with 5 cm (2 inches) of 18- to 20-gauge tubing. The saline is quickly instilled and then aspirated to recover the nasal specimen. A tracheal suction catheter would not trap the mucus. Normal saline is used, not sterile water. A sterile swab is used for a throat culture, not for nasal washings.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Obtain a Nasal Washing from a Child