Nursing Elites

1. When using an open irrigation technique to irrigate a client's indwelling urinary catheter, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Position the client in a side-lying position.
• B. Perform the irrigation using a 20-mL syringe.
• C. Instill 15 mL of irrigation fluid into the catheter with each flush.
• D. Measure and record the amount of irrigant used.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When irrigating an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse should use a 20-mL syringe for the procedure. This syringe size helps to provide adequate pressure for effective irrigation. Placing the client in a side-lying position is not necessary for this procedure. Instilling a specific amount of irrigation fluid into the catheter is not mentioned in the scenario. Subtracting the amount of irrigant used from the client's urine output is not a standard practice in catheter irrigation.

2. Which of the following best describes the role of an informatics nurse specialist?

• A. Managing electronic health records
• B. Providing technical support
• C. Educating nursing staff
• D. Improving patient care through technology

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An informatics nurse specialist focuses on improving patient care through technology by implementing, optimizing, and leveraging healthcare information systems. While managing electronic health records and providing technical support may be part of their responsibilities, the primary goal is to enhance patient outcomes and healthcare delivery through the strategic use of technology. Educating nursing staff, although important, is typically not the core role of an informatics nurse specialist.

3. An unresponsive patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department and diagnosed with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). The nurse will anticipate the need to

• A. give a bolus of 50% dextrose.
• B. insert a large-bore IV catheter.
• C. initiate oxygen via nasal cannula.
• D. administer glargine (Lantus) insulin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common. To address these issues, the priority intervention is to insert a large-bore IV catheter for fluid resuscitation and electrolyte replacement. Giving a bolus of 50% dextrose would worsen the hyperglycemia. Initiating oxygen via nasal cannula may be beneficial for respiratory support but is not the priority in this scenario. Administering glargine (Lantus) insulin is not the initial treatment for HHS as it does not address the underlying severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

4. A manager is prioritizing the following issues. Of the following issues, which should be considered urgent and important?

• A. The manager of physical therapy calls and complains about inappropriate behaviors of one of the staff nurses with one of his therapists.
• B. A staff nurse reports a pattern of malfunctioning IV pumps on the unit during her current shift, resulting in overdosing of medications.
• C. One of the staff nurses, who would have been an extra nurse for the next shift, calls in sick.
• D. A small group of staff nurses request a meeting to discuss initiating a scheduling committee.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare settings. Malfunctioning IV pumps leading to medication overdosing poses a direct threat to patient safety and must be addressed urgently. Choice A involves interpersonal issues between staff members which are important but can be addressed in a less urgent manner compared to patient safety concerns. Choice C, a staff nurse calling in sick, is important for staffing but can be managed through existing protocols. Choice D, initiating a scheduling committee, is a routine operational matter that can be addressed at a later time and does not pose an immediate risk to patient safety.

5. The staff of a medical-surgical unit is in disagreement about holiday scheduling. The nurse manager knows that this is what type of conflict?

• A. Intragroup conflict
• B. Intergroup conflict
• C. Interpersonal conflict
• D. Intrapersonal conflict

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Intragroup conflict. Intragroup conflict occurs within one group, in this case, the staff of the medical-surgical unit. Intergroup conflict, on the other hand, happens between two or more groups. Interpersonal conflict involves conflicts between two or more individuals, and intrapersonal conflict is conflict within one individual. Since the disagreement about holiday scheduling involves members within the same group (staff of the medical-surgical unit), it is an example of intragroup conflict. Therefore, the nurse manager would recognize this as an intragroup conflict rather than any of the other types mentioned.

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