Nursing Elites

1. A 27-year-old patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has a serum glucose level of 732 mg/dL and serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which action prescribed by the healthcare provider should the nurse take first?

• A. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
• B. Administer IV potassium supplements
• C. Obtain urine glucose and ketone levels
• D. Start an insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hr

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the initial priority is to assess for any cardiac arrhythmias due to electrolyte imbalances. Since the patient has a low serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L, placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is crucial to monitor for any potential cardiac complications. Administering IV potassium supplements (Choice B) may be needed, but it is not the first action to take. Obtaining urine glucose and ketone levels (Choice C) and starting an insulin infusion (Choice D) are important interventions in managing DKA, but ensuring patient safety by monitoring for arrhythmias takes precedence.

2. Which of the following should be included in a discussion of advance directives with new nurse graduates?

• A. According to the Patient Self-Determination Act, nurses are required to inform clients of their right to create an advance directive.
• B. The advance directive designates an individual who will make financial decisions for the client if he or she is unable to do so.
• C. A living will designates who will make health-care decisions for an individual in the event the individual is unable or incompetent to make his or her own decisions.
• D. The advance directive designates a health-care surrogate who will make known the client�s wishes regarding medical treatment if the client is unable to do so.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: One function of the advance directive is to appoint a health-care surrogate who will make known the client�s wishes for medical treatment to the medical and nursing team if the client is unable to do so.

3. A manager identifies that he is spending more time than desired on completing repetitive paperwork. Which of the following would be appropriate ways to address this issue? (EXCEPT)

• A. Combining data reports to reduce duplication
• B. Delegating staff evaluations to the staff nurse on the unit with the most experience
• C. Assigning the preliminary draft of the schedule to a subcommittee of staff nurses
• D. Saying no to inappropriate paperwork assignments

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Delegating staff evaluations to a staff nurse, even if experienced, is not appropriate as it falls outside their scope and responsibility. Choices A, C, and D are suitable ways to address the issue of spending excessive time on repetitive paperwork. Combining data reports, assigning the preliminary draft of the schedule to a subcommittee of staff nurses, and saying no to inappropriate paperwork assignments are all effective strategies to streamline processes and reduce managerial workload.

4. After correcting the IVF infusion rate, what should be the next step in the client's care?

• A. Notify family
• B. Discipline the previous nurse
• C. Complete an incident report
• D. Obtain legal consultation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct next step in the client's care after correcting the IVF infusion rate is to complete an incident report. This report is crucial for documenting the event, identifying the root cause of the error, and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Notifying the family, disciplining the previous nurse, and obtaining legal consultation are not immediate priorities in this situation. Family notification may be necessary later but ensuring patient safety and proper documentation come first. Disciplining the previous nurse should be handled through the appropriate professional channels, not as an immediate response to the incident. Legal consultation may be needed in some cases but is not the initial step required after correcting the error and ensuring the client's safety.

5. A group of physicians comes into conflict with the nursing staff of a unit over when AM vital signs are recorded. What type of technique might be used that respects the professionalism of both parties?

• A. Accommodating
• B. Collaboration
• C. Avoiding
• D. Competing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate technique to use is collaboration. Collaboration involves working together with mutual attention to the problem, utilizing the talents of all parties involved. This approach respects the professionalism of both physicians and nursing staff by valuing their input and expertise. Choice A, accommodating, involves giving in to the other party's concerns, which may not fully address the conflict. Choice C, avoiding, suggests ignoring or sidestepping the issue, which does not promote a resolution. Choice D, competing, involves pursuing one's own concerns at the expense of the other party's, leading to a win-lose situation, which is not conducive to resolving conflicts in a professional setting.

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