Nursing Elites

1. A hospitalized diabetic patient received 38 U of NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. At 1:00 PM, the patient has been away from the nursing unit for 2 hours, missing the lunch delivery while awaiting a chest x-ray. To prevent hypoglycemia, the best action by the nurse is to

• A. save the lunch tray for the patient�s later return to the unit
• B. ask that diagnostic testing area staff to start a 5% dextrose IV
• C. send a glass of milk or orange juice to the patient in the diagnostic testing area
• D. request that if testing is further delayed, the patient be returned to the unit to eat.

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

2. The healthcare provider is developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure (CHF). Which components are essential to include? (Select ONE that does not apply.)

• A. Expected length of stay
• B. Assigned staff healthcare provider
• C. Patient outcomes
• D. Medical diagnosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Critical pathways are designed to outline the expected sequence and timing of interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes for a specific medical condition. Components such as the expected length of stay, patient outcomes, and medical diagnosis are crucial in developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure. However, the assigned staff healthcare provider is not typically a fixed component of a critical pathway as it may vary based on staffing schedules and rotations. Therefore, the assigned staff healthcare provider is the component that does not apply.

3. The staff nurse delegates AM care for two patients to the UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Person). What principle of delegation is the nurse following?

• A. Delegation requires a situation with clearly defined superiors.
• B. Delegation can only exist with a subordinate.
• C. Delegation is a tool used by various healthcare professionals.
• D. You can delegate only those tasks.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'You can delegate only those tasks.' Delegation in nursing involves transferring responsibility for the performance of a task while retaining accountability for the outcome. The principle of delegation does not require a situation with clearly defined superiors (choice A). Delegation can exist not only with a subordinate but also with colleagues or other healthcare team members (choice B). Delegation is not exclusive to nurses and is a tool used by various healthcare professionals (choice C). Therefore, the best choice is D as it accurately reflects the principle of delegation in nursing.

4. What is the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee?

• A. To oversee patient safety initiatives
• B. To develop staffing policies and procedures
• C. To coordinate patient care
• D. To manage nurse recruitment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee is to develop staffing policies and procedures to ensure adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. By establishing these guidelines, the committee aims to optimize patient care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, which in turn can enhance patient safety and coordination of care. While overseeing patient safety initiatives and managing nurse recruitment are important aspects of healthcare management, the core function of a nurse staffing committee is to create and implement policies that govern the allocation and distribution of nursing staff to meet patient care needs effectively. Therefore, choices A, C, and D, though relevant to healthcare, do not align with the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee as outlined in the question.

5. An RN cared for a state senator during the day shift. Later that day he was having dinner with friends when the news mentioned the senator had been hospitalized. The RN�s friends asked if he knew what was wrong with the senator. Which ethical principle should the RN consider when replying?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Confidentiality
• C. Veracity
• D. Accountability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The principle of confidentiality requires nurses to hold healthcare information and anything patients tell them in the strictest confidence.

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