Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is an essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program?

• A. Blame and punishment
• B. Employee satisfaction
• C. Continual monitoring
• D. Strict adherence to policies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program is continual monitoring. Continual monitoring allows for the ongoing assessment of processes, identification of areas for improvement, and tracking of progress. Option A, 'Blame and punishment,' is incorrect as QI programs focus on systemic issues rather than individual blame. Option B, 'Employee satisfaction,' while important for organizational culture, is not an essential element of QI programs. Option D, 'Strict adherence to policies,' is valuable but not the core essential element, which is continual monitoring to drive improvement.

2. 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.

3. What should the nurse do after a 36-year-old patient treated with intramuscular glucagon for hypoglycemia regains consciousness?

• A. Assess the patient for symptoms of hyperglycemia.
• B. Give the patient a snack of peanut butter and crackers.
• C. Have the patient drink a glass of orange juice or nonfat milk.
• D. Administer a continuous infusion of 5% dextrose for 24 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a patient treated with intramuscular glucagon for hypoglycemia regains consciousness, providing a snack of peanut butter and crackers is essential to prevent another episode of hypoglycemia. Peanut butter and crackers contain a combination of protein and carbohydrates, which can help stabilize the patient's blood glucose levels. This choice is the most appropriate immediate action to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia in this scenario. Assessing for symptoms of hyperglycemia (choice A) is not the immediate priority after treating hypoglycemia. While orange juice or nonfat milk (choice C) can help raise blood sugar, they lack the sustained effect of protein found in peanut butter. Administering a continuous infusion of dextrose (choice D) is excessive and not indicated after the patient has already regained consciousness.

4. A client is refusing a blood transfusion for religious reasons. The client's partner wants the client to have the blood transfusion. Which of the following actions should be taken?

• A. Ask the client to consider a direct donation
• B. Withhold the blood transfusion
• C. Ask the client to consider a direct donation
• D. Request a consultation with the ethics committee

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should ask the client to consider a direct donation. This option respects the client's autonomy by exploring alternative options that align with the client's beliefs. Withholding the blood transfusion (choice B) goes against the client's wishes and autonomy. Requesting a consultation with the ethics committee (choice D) should be considered if there is a disagreement that cannot be resolved at the bedside, but it is not the initial step. Choice C is a duplicate of choice A and does not provide a different or additional action to address the situation.

5. In the scenario where a family member slips on the wet floor and hits her head, what hospital process requires completion of an incident report?

• A. Risk management
• B. Outcome management
• C. Quality management
• D. Peer review

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In healthcare settings, completing an incident report is a crucial aspect of risk management. Risk management aims to identify, assess, and mitigate risks to prevent harm to patients, visitors, or staff. Incident reports provide valuable data for analyzing events, implementing corrective actions, and improving patient safety within the healthcare facility. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because outcome management focuses on achieving desired results, quality management concentrates on maintaining high standards of care, and peer review involves evaluating the performance of healthcare providers, none of which directly relate to the completion of an incident report due to an accident.

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