Nursing Elites

1. A gerontological nurse is providing care at a local community health center that serves large black American and white American older adult populations. The nurse is working to develop culturally appropriate programs to meet each group's health needs and notes differences in health status between the groups. Which reason would the nurse most likely identify as accounting for the differences between the populations?

• A. High incidence of violent crime and sexually transmitted diseases in the black population
• B. Reliance on family for health care advice and rejection of formal service agencies in the white population
• C. Cultural preference for unconventional medical treatments like herbal remedies in the white population
• D. Lower standard of living and less access to health care services in the black population

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Black older adults historically possess many health problems that have accumulated over a lifetime due to a poor standard of living and limited access to health care services. Option A is incorrect because it presents stereotypes about the black population that are not supported by evidence. Option B is incorrect because it generalizes the behavior of the white population without a strong basis. Option C is incorrect as it also generalizes the white population and does not address the disparities in health status between the two groups.

2. To minimize liability, what action should nurses take when accepting telephone orders from physicians?

• A. Ask the physician to follow up with a faxed, written order
• B. Clearly communicate the most likely diagnosis to the physician
• C. Have another staff member talk with the physician and audiotape the conversation
• D. Accept only written orders or those communicated orally, in person

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best action for nurses to take when accepting telephone orders from physicians to minimize liability is to ask the physician to follow up with a faxed, written order and ensure it is signed within 24 hours. This approach helps ensure clarity, accuracy, and documentation of the physician's orders, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or errors. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Communicating a diagnosis is outside the nurse's scope of practice and should be done by the physician. Involving another staff member to audiotape the conversation can introduce legal and practical issues. Accepting only written or orally communicated orders in person may not always be practical or feasible in urgent situations where telephone orders are necessary.

3. When in doubt about using restraints on an agitated patient, it is prudent for nurses to:

• A. Restrain the patient for their own safety
• B. Use minor restraints such as a bed side rail or a tray on a wheelchair
• C. Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision
• D. Avoid using any device or procedure to limit liability

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision.' The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) established strict standards on restraint use in long-term care facilities. Restraints can be considered a form of false imprisonment and neglect, leading to potential litigation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid restraints whenever possible. A bed alarm coupled with enhanced staff supervision provides an effective and non-restrictive approach for managing an agitated patient. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because restraining the patient, using minor restraints, or avoiding all devices without providing an alternative can pose risks to patient safety, violate regulations, or increase liability concerns.

4. For which of the following is informed consent required?

• A. Ordering a liquid diet for a post-surgical patient
• B. Listening to a patient reveal his or her private, personal secrets
• C. Giving a patient saline solution to relieve dry nasal passages
• D. Asking a patient to complete a questionnaire for a research study on hospital practices

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Informed consent is required when asking a patient to participate in a research study, as mentioned in choice D. Choices A, B, and C involve routine care measures that do not require specific informed consent. Ordering a liquid diet, providing saline solution for dry nasal passages, or listening to a patient's personal secrets are part of standard care and do not typically necessitate formal consent beyond general consent for treatment.

5. A nurse is reading a journal article about life expectancy and various cultural groups. The article describes statistics, stating that a baby born to a black American couple has a life expectancy lower than that of a baby born to a white American couple. The article goes on to describe the life expectancy as the babies get older. Which finding would the nurse most likely identify as reflecting the life expectancy of the baby born to the black American couple by the seventh decade?

• A. Beginning to equal that of similarly aged white elders
• B. Exceeding that of similarly aged white older adults
• C. Dropping to less than half that of similarly aged white older adults
• D. Rising above that of white older adults until age 75 and then dropping

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Historically, black Americans have experienced a lower standard of living and less access to health care than their white counterparts, leading to a lower life expectancy. However, by the seventh decade of life, survival rates for black individuals begin to equal that of similarly aged white individuals. Choice B is incorrect as it indicates a higher life expectancy for black individuals, which is not supported by the information provided. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests a drastic decrease in life expectancy for black individuals, which is not in line with the trend described. Choice D is incorrect as it implies a temporary increase in life expectancy for black individuals until age 75, which is not supported by the information that survival rates begin to equal by the seventh decade.

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