A nurse is admitting a new client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while performing medication reconciliation?
- A. Compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions
- B. Place the client's home medication bottles in a secure location
- C. Call the pharmacy to determine whether the client's medications are available
- D. Verify the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: Option A is correct because medication reconciliation involves comparing the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions to ensure accuracy and prevent medication errors. This step helps identify discrepancies and allows for proper management of the client's medication regimen.
Summary:
- Option B is incorrect as it does not address the process of medication reconciliation.
- Option C is incorrect as calling the pharmacy does not directly relate to verifying medication information.
- Option D is incorrect as verifying the client's name on their identification bracelet does not specifically pertain to medication reconciliation.
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Which of the following conditions would be well suited to the use of a nursing critical pathway?
- A. Foreign object in the ear
- B. Fever of unknown origin
- C. Hip replacement surgery
- D. Bacterial infection acquired in a foreign country
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hip replacement surgery. Nursing critical pathways are designed for standardized, evidence-based care plans for specific medical conditions or procedures. Hip replacement surgery is a well-defined process with clear guidelines for pre-op, intra-op, and post-op care, making it suitable for a critical pathway. Foreign object in the ear (A) requires immediate intervention but doesn't involve a complex care pathway. Fever of unknown origin (B) requires extensive diagnostic workup, making it less suitable for a standardized pathway. Bacterial infection acquired in a foreign country (D) may have variable presentations and treatment, not fitting a standardized pathway.
What is the primary purpose of clinical pathways in healthcare?
- A. Reduce hospital readmissions
- B. Standardize care
- C. Provide individualized care
- D. Streamline care processes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide individualized care. Clinical pathways aim to offer a structured approach to patient care while allowing customization based on individual patient needs. By providing a standardized outline of care steps, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to meet each patient's unique circumstances. This promotes more personalized and effective care delivery.
Incorrect choices:
A: Reduce hospital readmissions - Clinical pathways may help in reducing readmissions, but this is not their primary purpose.
B: Standardize care - While clinical pathways do standardize care to some extent, their main goal is to individualize care based on patient needs.
D: Streamline care processes - While clinical pathways can streamline care processes, the primary focus is on providing individualized care rather than solely on process efficiency.
A registered nurse (RN) administered a patient’s morning insulin as the breakfast tray arrived at 0800. The RN performed a complete assessment at the same time. Then, the RN got busy with her other patients and did not check on the patient until 1400. At that time, she found the patient unresponsive with a blood glucose of 23. Both the breakfast and lunch tray were at the bedside untouched. Which of the following could the RN be charged with?
- A. Quasi-intentional tort
- B. Misdemeanor
- C. Negligence
- D. Juvenile offense
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Negligence. Negligence involves a breach of duty of care that results in harm or injury to another person. In this scenario, the RN failed to check on the patient for several hours despite administering insulin and knowing the patient's condition. This failure to provide proper monitoring and care directly led to the patient becoming unresponsive with critically low blood glucose levels.
Choice A, quasi-intentional tort, involves intentional actions that result in harm, which is not applicable in this scenario. Choice B, misdemeanor, refers to a criminal offense of a lesser degree, not a charge that would typically apply to this situation. Choice D, juvenile offense, is not relevant as the RN's actions are not related to the age of the individual involved.
When seeking their first nursing job, what is the most important factor that nursing graduates look for?
- A. Location
- B. Money
- C. Orientation
- D. Vacation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Orientation. Nursing graduates prioritize orientation as the most important factor when seeking their first job because it sets the foundation for their transition into the role. A thorough orientation program provides essential training, support, and guidance, which are crucial for their success and confidence in their new position. Location (A) may be important for convenience, but orientation directly impacts their ability to perform their duties effectively. Money (B) and vacation (D) are important but typically take a back seat to factors that directly impact their ability to excel in their new role.
Which of the following strategies is most effective for reducing medication errors on a nursing unit?
- A. Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio
- B. Providing ongoing education on safe medication practices
- C. Using barcoding technology for medication administration
- D. Increasing the use of PRN medications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using barcoding technology for medication administration. This strategy is most effective for reducing medication errors because it helps ensure the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time. Barcoding technology allows nurses to scan both the patient's wristband and the medication label to verify accuracy before administration, reducing the risk of errors due to human factors.
A: Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio may help with workload distribution but does not directly address medication errors.
B: Providing ongoing education is important but may not be as effective as implementing technological solutions like barcoding.
D: Increasing the use of PRN medications may actually increase the risk of errors if not managed properly.
In summary, using barcoding technology for medication administration is the most effective strategy as it directly addresses the root cause of medication errors by ensuring accurate medication administration.