Certified Medical Assistant Exam Prep

Category - Medical Assisting

Macy, the new medical assistant, is about to take a client’s rectal temperature as ordered by the nurse. Which of the following actions show that Macy is doing the procedure inappropriately?
  1. Explaining the procedure to the client and assisting in the right-side lying position.
  2. Dipping probe into liberal amount of lubricant applied to a tissue, covering the probe at least 1 to 2 inches.
  3. With non-dominant hand, separating buttocks to expose anus; asking the resident to breathe slowly and relax.
  4. With dominant hand, inserting thermometer probe gently into anus, aiming the probe in the direction of the umbilicus, which is 1-2 inches.
Explanation
Answer: A - Explaining the procedure to the client before doing it decreases or eliminates anxiety; however, the client should be placed in the left-side lying position, not the ride-side lying position. This position facilitates easy insertion of the probe into the anus as it follows the normal anatomical position of the colon. The other choices are correct actions for the nursing assistant in obtaining rectal temperature.
Was this helpful? Upvote!
Login to contribute your own answer or details

Top questions

Related questions

Most popular on PracticeQuiz