Nursing Elites

1. What is the most important legal responsibility for the healthcare team after a patient's death in a hospital?

• A. Obtaining consent for an autopsy
• B. Notifying the coroner or medical examiner
• C. Labeling the body appropriately
• D. Ensuring the attending physician issues the death certificate

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a patient's death in a hospital, the most crucial legal responsibility for the healthcare team is ensuring that the attending physician issues the death certificate. The death certificate is a vital legal document that confirms the cause of death and is required for legal and administrative purposes, including the completion of the patient's medical records and facilitating the family's ability to proceed with funeral arrangements and insurance claims. While other actions such as obtaining consent for an autopsy, notifying the coroner or medical examiner, and labeling the body appropriately are important, ensuring the timely and accurate issuance of the death certificate takes precedence in this scenario.

2. Which of the following principles of primary nursing has proven most satisfying to the patient and nurse?

• A. Continuity of patient care promotes efficient and cost-effective nursing care.
• B. Autonomy and authority for planning are best delegated to a nurse who knows the patient well.
• C. Accountability is clearest when one nurse is responsible for the overall plan and its implementation.
• D. The holistic approach provides for a therapeutic relationship, continuity, and efficient nursing care.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The holistic approach, encompassing a therapeutic relationship, continuity, and efficient nursing care, is the most satisfying principle of primary nursing. This approach considers the patient as a whole, taking into account physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects, which enhances the nurse-patient relationship and promotes comprehensive care. It emphasizes individualized care delivery, continuity of care, and an integrated approach, leading to improved patient satisfaction and nurse fulfillment.

3. A client is to receive thrombolytic therapy. Which of the following factors should be recognized as a contraindication to the therapy?

• A. Hip arthroplasty 2 weeks ago
• B. Elevated sedimentation rate
• C. Incident of exercise-induced asthma 1 week ago
• D. Elevated platelet count

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy involves the use of medications to dissolve blood clots. Hip arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) performed recently is a contraindication to thrombolytic therapy due to the risk of bleeding. Elevated sedimentation rate, exercise-induced asthma, and elevated platelet count are not contraindications to thrombolytic therapy.

4. When a chest tube is accidentally removed from a client, which of the following actions should the nurse NOT take first?

• A. Obtain a chest x-ray
• B. Apply sterile gauze to the insertion site
• C. Place tape around the insertion site
• D. Assess respiratory status

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a chest tube is accidentally removed, the priority action for the nurse is to immediately seal the insertion site with a gloved hand, a sterile occlusive dressing, or petroleum gauze to prevent air from entering the pleural space and causing a pneumothorax. Applying sterile gauze to the insertion site is not the correct initial action. The first step is to prevent respiratory compromise by ensuring the site is sealed. Therefore, the nurse should not apply sterile gauze to the insertion site first.

5. Which of the following measures is not recommended to prevent pressure ulcers?

• A. Massaging the reddened area with lotion
• B. Using a water or air mattress
• C. Adhering to a schedule for positioning and turning
• D. Providing meticulous skin care

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Massaging a reddened area can cause further tissue damage by increasing pressure on already compromised skin. The other options, such as using specialized mattresses, adhering to repositioning schedules, and maintaining good skin care, are all recommended strategies to prevent pressure ulcers by reducing pressure and friction on vulnerable areas of the skin.

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