Nursing Elites

1. A client has signed the informed consent for mastectomy of the left breast. On the morning of the surgical procedure, the client asks the nurse several questions about the procedure that make it obvious that she does not have an adequate comprehension of the procedure. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

• A. Telling the client that she needed to ask these questions before signing the informed consent for surgery
• B. Contacting the surgeon and requesting that she visit the client to answer her questions
• C. Informing the client that she has the right to cancel the surgical procedure if she wishes
• D. Telling the client that it is her surgeon's responsibility to explain the procedure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Informed consent is the authorization by a client or a client's legal representative to do something to the client. The surgeon is primarily responsible for explaining the surgical procedure and obtaining informed consent. If the client asks questions that alert the nurse to an inadequacy of comprehension on the client's part, the nurse has the obligation to contact the surgeon. Choice A is incorrect as the client should be allowed to ask questions even after signing the consent for surgery. Choice C is not the most appropriate response, as the primary concern is to address the client's lack of comprehension. Choice D is inaccurate, as while it is the surgeon's responsibility to explain the procedure, in this scenario, the nurse should take immediate action to ensure the client's understanding. Requesting the surgeon to visit and answer the client's questions is the most appropriate response in this situation, as it directly addresses the client's concerns and ensures proper informed consent is obtained.

2. What does carrying a donor card for organ donation mean?

• A. medical care is altered to obtain organs for donation in the event of serious injuries
• B. the family or legally responsible party of a client has no decision-making authority in the event that the client is considered for organ donation
• C. a client is allowed to revoke their decision for organ donation at any time
• D. a client is considered an organ donor for multiple organs or tissues

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Carrying a donor card for organ donation signifies that an individual can decide to revoke their decision for organ donation at any point. This choice empowers the individual to change their mind regarding organ donation. The family or legally responsible party of a client still holds decision-making authority in the event that the client is considered for organ donation. When organ donation is being considered, all organs or tissues the donor wishes to donate are evaluated for donation suitability; it's not limited to just one organ or tissue. It's important to note that medical care for an individual is not altered to hasten the declaration of death for organ donation purposes; the focus is on providing immediate care and resuscitation to the individual.

3. A client with a closed chest tube drainage system accidentally disconnects the chest tube while being turned by the nurse. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Submerge the end of the chest tube in a bottle of sterile water
• B. Clamp the chest tube with a Kelly clamp
• C. Call the health care provider
• D. Instruct the client to inhale and hold his breath

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a chest tube becomes disconnected, the priority action is to immediately reattach it to the drainage system or submerge the end in a bottle of sterile water or saline solution to reestablish a water seal. This helps prevent air from entering the pleural space and causing complications. Calling the health care provider is important but not the first action in this emergency. Instructing the client to inhale and hold his breath should be avoided as it can introduce atmospheric air into the pleural space, leading to potential issues. Clamping the chest tube is generally contraindicated, especially in cases of residual air leak or pneumothorax, as it may result in a tension pneumothorax by preventing air from escaping.

4. What information does the healthcare provider remember regarding do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in this scenario?

• A. That a DNR order may be written by a healthcare provider
• B. That everything possible must be done if the client stops breathing
• C. That medications only may be given to the client if the client stops breathing
• D. That life support measures will have to be implemented if the client stops breathing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a situation where a client has no family members and the client's wife is mentally incompetent, the healthcare provider may write a DNR order if it is deemed medically certain that resuscitation would be futile. A DNR order is a medical directive that instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if a patient's heart stops or if the patient stops breathing. Option A is correct because a DNR order can indeed be issued by a healthcare provider under certain circumstances, as it is a medical decision. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the concept of DNR orders and the decision-making process involved in such situations.

5. The nurse is caring for a client recovering from a stroke who recently regained consciousness. The client is having difficulty communicating verbally with the team. Which of the following actions would be least appropriate?

• A. Begin client data collection before receiving the physician's order for the referral.
• B. Use documents to provide information for the referral.
• C. Wait for the physician's order for speech therapy before assisting with the appropriate documentation.
• D. Participate in the client referral process.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the least appropriate action would be to wait for the physician's order for speech therapy before assisting with the appropriate documentation. The nurse should start by collecting client data without needing the physician's order, use documents to provide information for the referral, and actively participate in the client referral process. Waiting for the physician's order unnecessarily delays potentially crucial therapy for the client's recovery, affecting the timeliness and effectiveness of care. Therefore, choice C is the least appropriate as immediate action is required in such situations.

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