Nokea
A nursing assistant who has been employed in the long-term care center for 8 weeks is consistently taking extended lunch breaks. The nursing assistant's behavior has caused problems with client care during lunch hours. What is the appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation?
- A. Ignoring the situation
- B. Documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file
- C. Asking other staff members to cover for the nursing assistant
- D. Meeting with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Taking extended lunch breaks is an unacceptable behavior, especially when it affects client care. The appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation is to meet with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures. This direct approach allows for open communication and the opportunity to address the issue effectively. Ignoring the situation (Choice A), asking other staff members to cover (Choice C), or documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file (Choice B) are not effective solutions. Ignoring the behavior does not address the issue, asking others to cover may not solve the problem at its root, and documenting the problem should come after attempting to resolve the issue through communication and problem-solving first.
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A client with diabetes mellitus who takes a daily dose of NPH insulin has a hard time drawing the insulin into a syringe because he has difficulty seeing the markings on the syringe. To which services does the nurse suggest a referral?
- A. Home care
- B. Occupational therapy
- C. Social services
- D. Physical therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a client with diabetes mellitus who struggles to draw insulin due to poor vision, the nurse should suggest a referral to home care services. Home care provides various support services, including assistance with insulin administration. In this scenario, a home care nurse can prefill a week's supply of syringes with the correct insulin dose for the client. These syringes can be stored in the client's refrigerator for self-administration. Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals with activities of daily living, such as using adaptive devices. Social services typically address counseling and financial aspects of care. Physical therapy is geared towards treating physical disabilities or impairments through exercises and techniques.
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 is assigned to care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
- A. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy
- B. A client with a tracheostomy who is receiving humidified oxygen via a tracheostomy mask
- C. A client preparing for discharge after surgery
- D. A client requiring a tube feeding through a gastrostomy tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is a client with a tracheostomy who is receiving humidified oxygen via a tracheostomy mask. Airway management is always the priority in nursing care. Assessing this client first ensures that their airway is clear and oxygenation is adequate. Clients with compromised airways need immediate attention to prevent respiratory distress or failure. The other clients do not have immediate airway concerns and represent lower priorities in this scenario. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client with the tracheostomy and oxygen therapy to maintain airway patency and adequate oxygenation.
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.
The nurse belongs to a professional nursing organization that provides social, educational, and political venues for nurses. The nurse has been active in this organization for almost two years, during which time she meets and works with nurses from several different nursing agencies and health care institutions to achieve a variety of goals, including obtaining advice regarding a personal career choice. This is an example of:
- A. professional nurturing.
- B. networking.
- C. mentoring.
- D. collegiality.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Networking involves the process of developing and using contacts throughout one's professional career for information, advice, and support. In this scenario, the nurse is actively engaging with other professionals from various institutions to achieve common goals and seek career advice, which aligns with the concept of networking. Professional nurturing and mentoring focus on providing support and guidance to colleagues, while collegiality refers to the camaraderie and rapport established among individuals through shared experiences, which is not the primary focus of the nurse's interaction in the given situation.