A healthcare professional is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) medication. What action should the healthcare professional take to ensure patient safety?
- A. Ensure the medication is administered at the correct time.
- B. Verify the patient's identification using two identifiers.
- C. Prepare the medication at the healthcare professional's station.
- D. Ensure the medication is administered within 30 minutes of the scheduled time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers is crucial to ensure the right patient receives the right medication. This process helps prevent medication errors by confirming the patient's identity through at least two unique identifiers, such as name, date of birth, or medical record number. Choice A is not directly related to ensuring patient safety during medication administration. Choice C is incorrect as medications should be prepared in a sterile environment, not just at the healthcare professional's station. Choice D is not a safe practice as medications should be administered at the scheduled time to maintain therapeutic effectiveness.
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Which intervention reduces reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting?
- A. Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers
- B. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry
- C. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled
- D. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers is the correct intervention to reduce infection reservoirs in healthcare settings. This practice helps prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and contains potentially infectious materials properly. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry (choice B) is essential for preventing the spread of infections but does not directly address reducing reservoirs of infection. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled (choice C) is important for wound care but does not specifically target infection reservoirs. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags (choice D) is a proper waste disposal practice but does not directly reduce reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting.
When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration?
- A. Flush the NG tube with water before each feeding.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
- D. Provide the patient with oral care every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with an NG tube. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration by promoting the proper flow of contents through the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the chances of stomach contents entering the airway. Flushing the NG tube with water before each feeding may not directly prevent aspiration. Checking the placement of the NG tube is important but does not specifically address the prevention of aspiration. Providing oral care every 4 hours is essential for maintaining oral hygiene but is not directly related to preventing aspiration in a patient with an NG tube.
A patient requires assistance to stand from a sitting position. Which action by the nurse ensures patient safety?
- A. Allow the patient to pull up on the nurse's arm.
- B. Place a gait belt around the patient for support.
- C. Have the patient push off the chair with their hands.
- D. Ask the patient to lift themselves up without support.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Placing a gait belt around the patient for support is the safest option when assisting a patient to stand from a sitting position. This belt provides stability and support, reducing the risk of falls or injuries during the transfer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Allowing the patient to pull up on the nurse's arm (Choice A) may lead to instability and compromise safety. Having the patient push off the chair with their hands (Choice C) might not provide sufficient support, especially for patients who require assistance. Asking the patient to lift themselves up without support (Choice D) can be dangerous and increase the risk of falls.
If a client refuses surgery, but the family insists, what should the nurse do in this situation?
- A. Respect the family's decision and proceed with the surgery.
- B. Respect the client's decision and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Try to mediate between the family and the client.
- D. Encourage the client to follow their family's wishes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should respect the client's decision and notify the healthcare provider. The client has the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse must advocate for the client's autonomy. Proceeding with the surgery against the client's wishes would violate their autonomy and ethical principles. Trying to mediate between the family and the client may be appropriate, but ultimately, the client's decision should be respected. Encouraging the client to follow their family's wishes disregards the client's autonomy and is not ethically appropriate.
A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about the DASH diet. What is the most important instruction to include?
- A. Increase the patient's intake of fruits and vegetables.
- B. Limit the patient's intake of saturated fats.
- C. Encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake.
- D. Recommend the patient avoid caffeine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet emphasizes reducing sodium intake to help manage hypertension. While increasing fruits and vegetables (Choice A) is important in the DASH diet, reducing sodium intake is considered more crucial. Limiting saturated fats (Choice B) is beneficial but not as critical as reducing sodium. Avoiding caffeine (Choice D) is not a specific recommendation of the DASH diet for managing hypertension.