Nursing Elites

1. A female nurse is assessing a male patient of Arab descent who is admitted with complaints of severe headaches. It is most important for the nurse to intervene if she takes which action?

• A. The nurse explains the 0 to 10 intensity pain scale.
• B. The nurse asks the patient when the headaches started.
• C. The nurse sits down at the bedside and closes the privacy curtain.
• D. The nurse calls for a male nurse to bring a hospital gown to the room.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In some Arab cultures, it is not considered appropriate for a male to be alone with a female who is not his spouse. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to respect the patient's cultural beliefs and privacy by ensuring that a female nurse is not alone with the male patient. Sitting down at the bedside and closing the privacy curtain could potentially lead to a situation where the nurse is alone with the patient, which goes against the patient's cultural norms. The other actions, such as explaining the pain scale, asking about the onset of headaches, and requesting a male nurse to bring a hospital gown, are all appropriate and do not conflict with the patient's cultural beliefs.

2. Which of the following is an appropriate tension-reduction intervention for a patient who may be escalating toward aggressive behavior?

• A. Asking to speak to someone
• B. Asking to be alone
• C. Listening to music
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: All of the above interventions are appropriate tension-reduction techniques for a patient in the ICU. When a patient is escalating toward aggressive behavior, it is crucial to have a range of strategies to help de-escalate the situation. Asking to speak to someone can provide emotional support and an outlet for communication. Asking to be alone can help the patient have space and time to calm down. Listening to music can be soothing and distracting. These interventions, along with additional ones like walking the hallway, watching television, writing in a journal, or requesting a PRN medication, can be helpful. It is essential to involve the patient in developing the care plan to identify triggers and effective tension-reduction techniques. Patients in escalation may not always recognize the need for intervention, so staff must be observant and offer personalized techniques to address the situation effectively.

3. A nurse stops at a motor vehicle collision site to render aid until the emergency personnel arrive and applies pressure to a groin wound that is bleeding profusely. Later the client has to have the leg amputated and sues the nurse for malpractice. Which is the most likely outcome of this lawsuit?

• A. The Patient's Bill of Rights protects clients from malicious intents, so the nurse could lose the case.
• B. The lawsuit may be settled out of court, but the nurse's license is likely to be revoked.
• C. There will be no judgment against the nurse, whose actions were protected under the Good Samaritan Act.
• D. The client will win because the four elements of negligence (duty, breach, causation, and damages) can be proved.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The Good Samaritan Act protects healthcare professionals who provide care in good faith from malpractice claims, regardless of the client outcome. In this scenario, the nurse stopped at the scene voluntarily to render aid, which is protected under the Good Samaritan Act. This law shields individuals from legal liability when providing emergency care in good faith and without expectation of compensation. The Patient's Bill of Rights does protect clients, but in this case, the nurse's actions were protected by the Good Samaritan Act. Additionally, the state Board of Nursing would not likely revoke the nurse's license unless there was evidence of actions taken in bad faith or unreasonable care. The client would not win the lawsuit as the essential elements of malpractice, including duty, breach, causation, and damages, were not met in this situation.

4. Which statement regarding an interpreter is correct?

• A. Relatives or friends of the client cannot serve as interpreters.
• B. The interpreter should aim to convey meaning rather than provide literal translations.
• C. Interpreting not only the language but also the culture is important.
• D. The interpreter should be available only during client-provider communication.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is that interpreting not only the language but also the culture is important. Health care facilities should provide professional interpreters to ensure accurate communication with clients who do not speak English proficiently. It is crucial for interpreters to understand and convey cultural nuances to prevent misunderstandings. Relatives or friends of the client should not serve as interpreters as they may not be impartial or adequately skilled. Providing literal word-for-word translations is not always effective as it may not capture the intended meaning. Interpreters should be available throughout the client's care process, not just during direct communication, to ensure effective and culturally sensitive care.

5. The client is 5 feet from the bathroom door when he states, 'I feel faint.' Before the nurse can get the client to a chair, the client starts to fall. What is the priority action for the nurse to take?

• A. Check the client's carotid pulse
• B. Encourage the client to get to the toilet
• C. In a loud voice, call for help
• D. Gently lower the client to the floor

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The priority action for the nurse is to gently lower the client to the floor (Option D). This action is crucial to prevent injury to both the client and the nurse. Lowering the client to the floor should be done when the client is unable to support his own weight, ensuring a safe position to prevent falls. Checking the client's carotid pulse (Option A) is important, but it should be performed after ensuring the client's safety. Encouraging the client to get to the toilet (Option B) is impractical as the client is already falling. Calling for help in a loud voice (Option C) may cause chaos and alarm other clients, making it a less suitable immediate action in this scenario.

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