A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient will cause the nurse to follow up?
- A. Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.
- B. I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.
- C. If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.
- D. When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because using a nonvented furnace can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations. The other choices demonstrate good safety practices such as changing batteries on detectors, scheduling chimney inspections, and recognizing symptoms of heater issues. Using a nonvented furnace is the only unsafe practice mentioned, hence requiring immediate follow-up to educate the patient on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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A patient may need restraints. Which task can the nurse delegate to a nursing assistive personnel?
- A. Determining the need for restraints
- B. Assessing the patient's orientation
- C. Obtaining an order for a restraint
- D. Applying the restraint
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Applying the restraint. The rationale is that applying restraints is a task that can be safely delegated to nursing assistive personnel as it involves following specific instructions and does not require complex decision-making. Nursing assistive personnel can be trained to apply restraints safely under the supervision of a registered nurse.
A: Determining the need for restraints requires clinical judgment and assessment skills, which should be done by the registered nurse.
B: Assessing the patient's orientation involves critical thinking and interpretation of assessment findings, which is outside the scope of practice for nursing assistive personnel.
C: Obtaining an order for a restraint requires communication with the healthcare provider and understanding of legal and ethical implications, which should be done by the registered nurse.
Which activity will cause the nurse to monitor for equipment-related accidents?
- A. Uses a patient-controlled analgesic pump.
- B. Uses a computer-based documentation record.
- C. Uses a measuring device that measures urine.
- D. Uses a manual medication-dispensing device.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because using a patient-controlled analgesic pump involves the use of medical equipment that can malfunction or be misused, potentially leading to accidents such as medication overdose. The nurse needs to monitor the equipment closely to ensure it is functioning properly and the patient is using it correctly. Choices B, C, and D do not involve equipment that poses a high risk of accidents if not monitored closely. Computer-based documentation records, measuring devices for urine, and manual medication-dispensing devices are all important tools for nurses, but they are less likely to result in equipment-related accidents compared to a patient-controlled analgesic pump.
A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department. The nurse obtains the following vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 106/56, apical pulse 58, and respiratory rate 12. Which vital sign should the nurse address immediately?
- A. Respiratory rate
- B. Temperature
- C. Apical pulse
- D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should address the temperature (Choice B) immediately because it is below the normal range (normal range is around 97-99°F). A low body temperature, such as 94.8°F, can indicate hypothermia, which is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention to prevent complications like organ dysfunction or cardiac arrest. Addressing the temperature first is crucial to prevent further deterioration of the patient's condition.
Other choices are not as urgent:
A: Respiratory rate (12 breaths per minute) is within the normal range.
C: Apical pulse (58 beats per minute) is slightly lower but not immediately life-threatening.
D: Blood pressure (106/56 mmHg) is on the lower side but not acutely concerning.
A nurse is inserting a urinary catheter. Which technique will the nurse use to prevent a procedure-related accident?
- A. Pathogenic asepsis
- B. Medical asepsis
- C. Surgical asepsis
- D. Clean asepsis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Surgical asepsis. This technique involves creating and maintaining a sterile field to prevent contamination during invasive procedures like catheter insertion. The nurse will use sterile gloves, drapes, and equipment to minimize the risk of infection. Pathogenic asepsis (A) focuses on removing or destroying pathogens but may not ensure sterility. Medical asepsis (B) aims to reduce the number of pathogens but does not achieve a sterile environment. Clean asepsis (D) involves cleanliness but not the level of sterility required for invasive procedures.
The nurse is assessing a patient who reports a previous fall and is using the SPLATT acronym. Which questions will the nurse ask the patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Where did you fall?
- B. What time did the fall occur?
- C. What were you doing when you fell?
- D. What types of injuries occurred after the fall?
- E. Did you obtain an electronic safety alert device after the fall?
- F. What are your medical problems that may have caused the fall?
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The correct answers are A, B, C, and D. The SPLATT acronym stands for Symptoms, Previous falls, Location, Activity, Time, and Trauma. Therefore, the nurse should ask where the fall happened (A), what the patient was doing when they fell (C), and what types of injuries occurred after the fall (D) to assess the circumstances surrounding the fall. Asking about the time of the fall (B) helps determine if there are any time-related factors contributing to the fall. These questions provide crucial information for assessing the patient's risk factors and potential interventions. Choices E and F are incorrect because they do not directly pertain to the SPLATT components and may not provide as relevant information for assessing the fall risk in this situation.