Question

The nurse is assigned to care for the client with a Steinmen pin. During pin care, she notes that the LPN uses sterile gloves and Q-tips to clean the pin. Which action should the nurse take at this time? A. Assist the LPN with opening sterile packages and peroxide B. Tell the LPN that clean gloves are allowed C. Tell the LPN that the registered nurse should perform pin care D. Ask the LPN to clean the weights and pulleys with peroxide

Short answer

Answer: B. Tell the LPN that clean gloves are allowed.

Step-by-step solution

1. Understand the Problem

First, read the question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked. A client has a Steinmen pin, and you are supposed to decide the correct action the nurse should take when noting how the LPN cleans the pin with sterile gloves and Q-tips.

2. Define Steinmen Pin

Steinmen pin is an orthopedic device that may be used to provide skeletal traction as well as immobilization in certain cases. It is important to ensure that the area around the pin remains clean and free from infection.

3. Analyze the Options

Let's examine each of the given options carefully: A. Assist the LPN with opening sterile packages and peroxide - This option would suggest that the current method of cleaning the pin is correct. B. Tell the LPN that clean gloves are allowed - This implies that using clean gloves is acceptable for cleaning the pin instead of the sterile gloves being used currently. C. Tell the LPN that the registered nurse should perform pin care - This means that the LPN should not be the one performing the duty of cleaning the Steinmen pin. D. Ask the LPN to clean the weights and pulleys with peroxide - This option would be diverting the LPN's attention from pin care to cleaning the weights and pulleys instead.

4. Determine the Correct Answer

The correct answer is B. Tell the LPN that clean gloves are allowed. Sterile gloves are not necessary when performing pin care on a client with a Steinmen pin. Clean gloves provide adequate protection for cleaning the pin site, and using Q-tips is an acceptable method to clean around the pin site.

5. Explain the Incorrect Options

A. Assisting the LPN would indeed affirm the incorrect practice of using sterile gloves and would not resolve the situation. C. There is no indication that the registered nurse should be the one to perform pin care instead of the LPN. D. Diverting the LPN's attention to cleaning the weights and pulleys might increase the risk of pin site infection as adequate pin care may not be provided.