A licensed practical nurse tells the certified nursing assistant (CNA) staff that they will need to comply with the mandatory overtime policy that the long-term care facility has implemented. Later that day, the nurse overhears a CNA complaining about the policy and telling other CNAs that she will not work the overtime if she has made other plans after her regular shift. What is the best approach for the nurse to use in dealing with the conflict?
- A. Providing a positive reward system for the CNA to encourage working the mandatory overtime
- B. Ignoring the complaints
- C. Avoiding assigning the CNA mandatory overtime
- D. Meeting with the CNA regarding her behavior concerning the overtime policy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this situation, the best approach for the nurse is to meet with the CNA regarding her behavior concerning the overtime policy. Initiating a discussion is crucial to address resistance by a staff member. A face-to-face meeting allows for the verbalization of feelings, identification of problems, and the opportunity to develop strategies to solve the issue. Ignoring the complaints and avoiding assigning mandatory overtime do not tackle the root of the problem. Providing a positive reward system might offer a temporary fix but does not directly address the resistance and conflict.
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When ambulating a client with right-sided weakness, a nursing assistant should be positioned on which side of the client?
- A. Stands behind the client
- B. Positions the free hand on the client's shoulder
- C. Stands on the right side of the client
- D. Grasps the security belt in the midspine area of the small of the client's back
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When ambulating a client with right-sided weakness, the nursing assistant should stand on the affected side, which in this case is the client's right side. This position allows the assistant to provide proper support and assistance. Standing behind the client (Choice A) is incorrect as the assistant should be on the affected side. Positioning the free hand on the client's shoulder (Choice B) is a correct action as it helps in pulling the client toward them in case of a forward fall. Grasping the security belt in the midspine area of the small of the client's back (Choice D) is also correct to provide support and stability during ambulation.
Nail and foot care are essential in meeting the basic hygiene needs of clients. Important assessments by the nurse in this area include:
- A. a full-body assessment is not specific to nail and foot care.
- B. the essential lab work of the client is not related to nail and foot assessments.
- C. the nail beds and the tissue surrounding the nails.
- D. foot corns and calluses only neglect other important aspects of nail and foot care.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the nail beds and the tissue surrounding the nails. This assessment is crucial to identify abnormal discoloration, lesions, paronychia, dryness, breaks in the skin, pressure areas, or any other unusual appearances. Choice A is incorrect as a full-body assessment is broader and not specific to nail and foot care. Choice B is incorrect as lab work is not directly related to nail and foot assessments. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses only on foot corns and calluses, neglecting other important aspects of nail and foot care.
Which of these clients should the LPN/LVN see first?
- A. a client with a newly placed NG tube who is complaining of pain around the face and a plugged nose
- B. a post-op prostatectomy client who complains of bladder spasms and blood in his foley bag
- C. a client in an arm cast who is 2 days post-op and reports feelings of numbness and tingling in her affected arm
- D. a client newly diagnosed with Hepatitis A who reports stomach pain and itchy skin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Numbness and tingling hours or days after a cast is applied may indicate compartment syndrome and should be reported to a medical provider right away. This is a potential emergency situation that requires immediate attention to prevent complications. The other options present expected or typical symptoms related to their diagnosis, which do not require immediate intervention. Complaints related to a newly placed NG tube such as pain around the face and a plugged nose may require assessment and intervention but are not as urgent as potential compartment syndrome. Bladder spasms and blood in the foley bag post-prostatectomy are common postoperative issues that can be addressed after the client in the arm cast with potential compartment syndrome is seen. Stomach pain and itchy skin in a client with Hepatitis A are common symptoms of the condition and do not indicate an emergency situation.
Which of the following clients would be most appropriate for an LPN to assign to a nursing assistant?
- A. an 18-year-old client with a femur fracture who is just returning to the floor from the recovery unit
- B. an 84-year-old client 2 days post-op after knee replacement surgery who needs help ambulating
- C. a 35-year-old client who is suffering from an acute asthma attack
- D. a 20-year-old client with Cystic Fibrosis who needs an early morning sputum sample collection
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Collecting sputum samples on stable clients is within the scope of practice for an LPN. This task does not require immediate intervention or assessment by an RN or medical provider. An RN should perform the initial assessment on any client immediately post-op as it requires a higher level of assessment and monitoring. A client suffering from an acute asthma attack should be attended to by an RN or medical provider due to the potential severity and need for prompt intervention. Assigning a medically stable client who needs help ambulating to a nursing assistant is appropriate as it falls within their scope of practice and allows the LPN to focus on tasks that require their expertise.
A nurse in charge of a long-term care facility who is working with a nursing assistant on the night shift prepares to take a break. To ensure client safety during the break, which actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
- A. Asking the nursing assistant to contact the health care provider during the nurse’s break if a client’s pain medication is not effective
- B. Informing the nursing assistant that she is leaving the nursing unit to get a cup of coffee from a vending machine in the lobby
- C. Asking the nursing assistant to administer a medication placed at the client's bedside if the client awakens
- D. Conducting client rounds before taking the break
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse is responsible for ensuring client safety at all times and must not leave the nursing unit for any reason during the shift. The nurse’s break should be taken in a designated area located on the nursing unit. Before taking the break, the nurse should check all clients to ensure that they are safe and comfortable and that their needs have been met. Conducting client rounds before taking the break is crucial to assess the clients' conditions and address any immediate needs, ensuring their safety. Asking the nursing assistant to contact the health care provider during the nurse’s break is not appropriate as the nurse should handle this responsibility. Leaving the nursing unit to get coffee is not recommended as the nurse should stay within the unit to respond promptly to any client needs. Asking the nursing assistant to administer medication or make clinical decisions is outside the scope of their practice and should not be delegated.