what is the primary focus of a patient safety program

ATI RN

ATI Leadership Proctored

1. What is the primary focus of a patient safety program?

A. To reduce healthcare costs
B. To improve clinical outcomes
C. To enhance patient satisfaction
D. To comply with regulatory standards

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary focus of a patient safety program is to enhance patient satisfaction by ensuring safe practices. While reducing healthcare costs and improving clinical outcomes are important aspects influenced by patient safety programs, the main goal is to prioritize patient well-being and satisfaction. Complying with regulatory standards is essential but not the primary focus; it is a means to achieve safe practices for the benefit of patients.

2. A client with frequent tonic-clonic seizures is being admitted. What action should the nurse add to the client's plan of care?

A. Ensure blankets are placed on all four sides of the bed.
B. Refrain from using restraints during seizure activity.
C. Position the client laterally during seizure activity.
D. Have a tongue depressor available at the client's bedside.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should add to the client's plan of care is to have a tongue depressor available at the client's bedside. This is important during a seizure to prevent the client from biting their tongue. Placing the client laterally helps maintain a clear airway and prevents aspiration, making choice C a good practice during seizure activity. Using restraints during a seizure can cause injuries and should be avoided, making choice B incorrect. Wrapping blankets around all four sides of the bed is unnecessary for seizure management and does not contribute to the client's safety during a seizure, making choice A incorrect.

3. A 26-year-old female with type 1 diabetes develops a sore throat and runny nose after caring for her sick toddler. The patient calls the clinic for advice about her symptoms and a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL despite taking her usual glargine (Lantus) and lispro (Humalog) insulin. The nurse advises the patient to

A. use only the lispro insulin until the symptoms are resolved
B. limit calorie intake until the glucose is less than 120 mg/dL
C. monitor blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise
D. decrease carbohydrate intake until glycosylated hemoglobin is less than 7%

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should advise the patient to monitor her blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise. This is important because the patient is experiencing symptoms of an illness (sore throat and runny nose) that can lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. By monitoring frequently, any significant rise in blood glucose can be detected early, enabling prompt intervention. Choice A is incorrect because abruptly stopping glargine (Lantus) insulin can lead to uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Choice B is incorrect as limiting calorie intake is not the appropriate immediate action for managing high blood glucose levels. Choice D is also incorrect as adjusting carbohydrate intake based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels is not the immediate action needed in this acute situation.

4. Staff refuse to report unsafe conditions, with unattended entrances throughout the health care facility noted. Unidentified individuals are wandering the unit at night, and you:

A. Establish expectations.
B. Demand that they leave immediately.
C. Ask them to leave.
D. Observe their behaviors.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct course of action is to establish expectations. By setting clear guidelines and expectations, you can address the issue of unidentified individuals wandering the unit at night in a proactive manner. This approach helps communicate what behaviors are acceptable, ensuring the safety of both staff and patients. Demanding that they leave immediately may not address the root cause of the problem and could escalate the situation. Simply observing their behaviors may not effectively resolve the issue or prevent future incidents. Asking them to leave without first establishing expectations may not prevent similar occurrences in the future.