Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

2. How does a healthcare professional assess a patient's fluid balance, and what signs indicate fluid overload?

• A. Checking lung sounds for crackles
• B. Checking for signs of orthopnea
• C. Monitoring intake and output, and checking for edema
• D. Measuring daily weight

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring intake and output and checking for edema. Monitoring intake and output provides information about fluid balance in the body, while checking for edema helps assess for fluid overload. Lung sounds and signs of orthopnea are more indicative of respiratory issues rather than fluid balance. Daily weight measurement is useful to assess fluid status, but it alone may not provide a comprehensive evaluation of fluid balance.

3. A community nurse is instructing a group of newly licensed nurses about diseases that require airborne precautions. Which of the following diseases should the nurse include?

• A. Rubella
• B. Pertussis
• C. Influenza
• D. Varicella

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Varicella. Varicella (chickenpox) is a disease that requires airborne precautions to prevent its spread. Airborne precautions are necessary to prevent transmission of pathogens that remain infectious over long distances when suspended in the air. Rubella, pertussis, and influenza do not require airborne precautions. Rubella and pertussis require droplet precautions, while influenza requires droplet and contact precautions. Therefore, Varicella is the only disease in the list that necessitates airborne precautions.

4. When the nurse discovers a patient on the floor, and the patient states, 'I fell out of bed,' the nurse assesses the patient and then places the patient back in bed. What action should the nurse take next?

• A. Re-assess the patient.
• B. Complete an incident report.
• C. Notify the healthcare provider.
• D. Do nothing, as no harm has occurred.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After a patient has fallen, it is crucial to notify the healthcare provider. The provider needs to be informed so that further assessment, evaluation, or intervention can be carried out to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. Re-assessing the patient (Choice A) is important but notifying the healthcare provider takes precedence. Completing an incident report (Choice B) is necessary but should follow notifying the healthcare provider. Doing nothing (Choice D) is not appropriate as patient safety and potential underlying issues need to be addressed promptly.

5. A community health nurse is providing an educational session on childhood poisoning at a local school. What should the nurse advise as the first action if poisoning occurs?

• A. Call the poison control center
• B. Bring the child to the emergency department (ED)
• C. Induce vomiting
• D. Call an ambulance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the event of poisoning, the recommended first action is to call the poison control center. Poison control specialists can provide immediate guidance on how to manage the situation effectively. Bringing the child to the emergency department (Choice B) may be necessary depending on the severity of the poisoning, but contacting poison control first is crucial for appropriate and timely intervention. Inducing vomiting (Choice C) is not advised in all cases of poisoning and should only be done under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Calling an ambulance (Choice D) may be necessary in some severe cases, but the initial step should be to contact poison control for expert advice.

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