The 16-year-old patient passed out from the heat while playing football and now requires an infusion of Lactated Ringer’s solution for moderate dehydration. The patient’s heart rate is 118 bpm, blood pressure is 100/72 mmHg, and temperature is 37.5°C. Which gauge of intravenous catheter does the nurse select for insertion into this patient?

The patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who has been noncompliant with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) presents to the emergency department with a productive cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The patient’s chest x-ray reveals diffuse infiltrates bilaterally and the CD4 count is 182 cells/µL. Which question by the nurse is most important?  

A patient’s central line appears occluded. Which method does the nurse use to determine if the catheter occlusion is internal?