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A client asks the home care nurse to witness the client's signature on a living will with the client's attorney in attendance. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
- A. Decline to witness the signature on the living will.
- B. Sign the living will as a witness to the signature only.
- C. Notify the supervisor that a living will is being witnessed.
- D. Sign the living will with identifying credentials and employment agency.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Living wills are written documents and need to be signed by the client. The client's signature must be either witnessed by nonagency individuals or notarized; thus, the nurse should decline to sign the will to avoid a conflict of interest. There is no need to contact the supervisor or sign the living will with or without credentials because the nurse cannot sign this document as a witness. Therefore, options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
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The nurse is preparing to administer prescribed heparin sodium 5000 units subcutaneously. Which action should the nurse take to safely administer the medication?
- A. Inject via an infusion device.
- B. Inject within 1 inch of the umbilicus.
- C. Massage the injection site after administration for a full minute.
- D. Change the needle on the syringe after withdrawing the medication from the vial.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After withdrawal of heparin from the vial, the needle is changed before injection to prevent leakage of medication along the needle tract. Heparin administered subcutaneously does not require an infusion device. The injection site is located in the abdominal fat layer. It is not injected within 2 inches of the umbilicus or into any scar tissue. The needle is withdrawn rapidly, pressure is applied, and the area is not massaged. Injection sites are rotated.
Which statements describe the characteristics of team nursing? Select all that apply.
- A. A registered nurse leads a team of staff members.
- B. Each nurse assumes responsibility for a specific task.
- C. Team members provide direct care to groups of clients.
- D. Unlicensed assistive personnel are given a client assignment.
- E. The registered nurse assumes responsibility for a caseload of clients over time.
- F. Team nursing maintains continuity of care across nursing shifts, days, and home care visits.
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: In team nursing, a registered nurse (RN) leads a team that is composed of other RNs, licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel and technicians. The team members provide direct client care to groups of clients under the direct supervision of the RN team leader. In this model, unlicensed assistive personnel are given client assignments rather than being assigned particular nursing tasks. In functional nursing, tasks are divided, with one nurse assuming responsibility for specific tasks. Primary nursing is a model in which the RN assumes responsibility for a caseload of clients over time. In primary nursing, continuity of care across nursing shifts, days, and home care visits is maintained.
In which situation is the nurse manager utilizing an autocratic leadership style?
- A. The nurse manager provides the solution for a unit problem.
- B. The nurse manager allows the staff to solve their own unit problem.
- C. The nurse manager proposes several alternatives and has the unit staff vote on the best proposal.
- D. The nurse manager arranges for a staff meeting where all unit employees can share proposals to solve a problem.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The autocratic style of leadership is task oriented and directive. The leader uses his or her power and position in an authoritarian manner to set and implement organizational goals or solutions. Decisions are made without input from the staff. The situational leadership style uses a style depending on the situation and events. Democratic styles best empower staff toward excellence because this style of leadership allows nurses to provide input regarding the decision-making process and an opportunity to grow professionally. Participatory leadership encourages input from the staff.
After receiving detailed information about a colonoscopy from the primary health care provider (HCP), the nurse asks the client to sign the informed consent form and discovers that the client cannot write. Which is the best intervention for the nurse to implement?
- A. Contact the provider to obtain informed consent.
- B. Obtain a verbal informed consent from the client.
- C. Have two nurses witness the client sign with an X.
- D. Clarify information to the client with another nurse.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses are responsible to ensure that the signed informed consent form is in the client's medical record before a procedure and for clarifying facts that have already been presented by the HCP. Nonetheless, the person performing the procedure obtains informed consent and provides the explanations to the client. Informed consent can be obtained verbally, but that is also the responsibility of the HCP. Clients who cannot write may sign an informed consent with an X in the presence of two witnesses. Nurses can serve as a witness to the client's signature but not to the fact that the client is informed.
The nurse receives a telephone call from a client who states that he wants to kill himself and has a loaded gun on the table. Which intervention best assures the client's safety?
- A. Encouraging him to unload the gun and go to the hospital
- B. Telling the client that suicide is not the way to deal with his problem
- C. Using therapeutic communication techniques, especially the reflection of feelings
- D. Engaging the client while another staff member contacts the police for their assistance
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a crisis, the nurse must take an authoritative, active role to promote the client's safety. A loaded gun in the home of the client who says that he wants to kill himself is a crisis. The client's safety is of prime concern. Keeping the client on the phone and getting help to the client is the best intervention. Option 1 lacks the authoritative action stance of securing the client's safety. Option 2 is not a helpful strategy and may block communication. Using therapeutic communication techniques is important, but overuse of reflection may sound uncaring or superficial and is lacking direction and a solution to the immediate problem of the client's safety.