Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following statements from a client may indicate that they are at a higher risk for a fall?

• A. "I would like to get out of bed but would like to put on my non-skid socks first."?
• B. "Can you make sure the two bedrails are raised before leaving the room?"?
• C. "I think I'm ready to walk a longer distance with the cane today."?
• D. "I need to get out of bed to go to the bathroom now. I cannot find my glasses but cannot wait."?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'I need to get out of bed to go to the bathroom now. I cannot find my glasses but cannot wait.' This statement indicates that the client is in a hurry and unable to find their glasses, which could increase the risk of a fall due to impaired vision. Choice A about putting on non-skid socks shows the client's awareness of fall prevention, reducing the risk. Choice B demonstrates the client's request for bedrails to be raised, which is a safety measure, reducing the risk as well. Choice C suggests the client's readiness to walk a longer distance with a cane, indicating progress in mobility but not necessarily a higher fall risk.

2. While undergoing fetal heart monitoring, a pregnant Native-American woman requests that a medicine woman be present in the examination room. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

• A. "I will assist you in arranging to have a medicine woman present."?
• B. "We do not allow medicine women in exam rooms."?
• C. "That does not make any difference in the outcome."?
• D. "It is old-fashioned to believe in that."?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response is to show cultural awareness and respect the client's request by offering assistance in arranging for the medicine woman to be present. This approach acknowledges the importance of cultural beliefs and practices in the client's care, fostering trust and cooperation. Choices B, C, and D are inappropriate as they dismiss or belittle the client's cultural beliefs, showing insensitivity and lack of respect, which can negatively impact the nurse-client relationship.

3. A client with a pleural drainage system to suction has gentle bubbling of the water seal. What should the nurse do?

• A. Notify the physician.
• B. Clamp the chest tube.
• C. Replace the system.
• D. Document the finding

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Gentle bubbling is a normal finding for a client with a pleural drainage system to suction, so it simply needs to be documented for monitoring purposes. If the bubbling becomes vigorous, it could indicate a leak, which would then require further investigation by the nurse. Therefore, the correct action at this point is to document the finding. Notifying the physician is not necessary for gentle bubbling as it is expected. Clamping the chest tube or replacing the system is inappropriate and could potentially harm the client as there is no indication for such actions based on the scenario provided.

4. A nurse who works in a medical care unit is told that she must float to the intensive care unit because of a short-staffing problem on that unit. The nurse reports to the unit and is assigned to three clients. The nurse is angry with the assignment because she believes that the assignment is more difficult than the assignment delegated to other nurses on the unit and because the intensive care unit nurses are each assigned only one client. The nurse should most appropriately take which action?

• A. Refuse to do the assignment
• B. Tell the nurse manager to call the nursing supervisor
• C. Return to the medical care unit and discuss the assignment with the nurse manager on that unit
• D. Ask the nurse manager of the intensive care unit to discuss the assignment

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse feeling that the assignment is more difficult than what other nurses received should approach the nurse manager of the intensive care unit to discuss the assignment. By doing so, the nurse can seek clarification on the rationale for the assignment or confirm if it is genuinely more challenging. Refusing the assignment is not appropriate as it could impact patient care. Returning to the medical care unit would be considered client abandonment and does not directly address the conflict at hand. Instructing the nurse manager to involve the nursing supervisor is an aggressive approach that does not directly resolve the issue.

5. While working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the long-term care unit, the nurse gathers the nursing staff to listen to the 3 to 11 p.m. intershift report. The nurse notes that a staff member has an odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait, suspecting alcohol intoxication. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• A. Contact the nursing supervisor.
• B. Tell the staff member that she is not allowed to administer medications.
• C. Ask the staff member how much alcohol she has consumed.
• D. Ask the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge until the effects of the alcohol wear off.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a staff member reports to work showing signs of alcohol intoxication, the nurse should objectively note the symptoms and ask a second person to confirm these observations. It is crucial to contact the nursing supervisor immediately. An odor of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and errors in judgment are indicators of intoxication, posing a risk to client safety. The staff member should be removed from the client care area. Detailed documentation of the incident is essential, including observations, actions taken, future plans, and the staff member's signature and date on the recorded incident memo. If the staff member refuses to sign, this should be noted by the nurse and a witness. Asking the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge or restricting medication administration does not ensure client safety, as the staff member could still jeopardize it. Inquiring about the amount of alcohol consumed is confrontational and not relevant to the immediate need of ensuring safety.

Similar Questions