All hospitals and nursing homes are mandated to have the goal of a restraint-free environment. The best way to achieve this goal is to ________________.
- A. ban the use of all restraints under all circumstances
- B. limit restraints to only those situations when falls cannot be prevented
- C. keep all bedside rails up for all patients during nighttime hours
- D. use non-skid socks and sheets to prevent falls from chairs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All hospitals and nursing homes are mandated by JCAHO and state departments of health to have the goal of a restraint-free environment. This does not mean that no restraints can ever be used under any circumstances. The goal is to minimize the use of restraints and prioritize other preventive measures. Restraining a patient should only be considered when all other preventive strategies have failed, and the patient is at risk of harm. Therefore, the best approach is to limit the use of restraints to situations where falls cannot be prevented, ensuring that restraints are used as a last resort to maintain patient safety. Choices C and D are not ideal solutions as they do not address the appropriate use of restraints in a restraint-free environment.
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What action by the nurse will be most effective in decreasing the spread of pertussis in a community setting?
- A. Providing supportive care to patients diagnosed with pertussis
- B. Teaching family members about the importance of careful handwashing
- C. Teaching patients about the necessity of adult pertussis immunizations
- D. Encouraging patients to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most effective action by the nurse to decrease the spread of pertussis in a community setting is to teach patients about the necessity of adult pertussis immunizations. The increased rate of pertussis in adults is often attributed to waning immunity after childhood immunization. Immunization is highly effective in protecting communities from infectious diseases. While teaching about handwashing is important for overall infection control, pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and contact with secretions. Providing supportive care does not significantly impact the disease course or transmission risk. Encouraging completion of antibiotics may help reduce transmission, but patients likely have already spread the disease by the time the diagnosis is made. Therefore, the emphasis should be on prevention through immunization to reduce the spread of pertussis.
When escorting a patient to the operating room on a stretcher, what should you do to prevent the patient from falling?
- A. Ensure the safety belt or strap is secured on the patient while escorting them to the operating room
- B. Use a safety belt or strap on the patient throughout their escort to the operating room
- C. Lower the bed position when moving the patient from the bed to the stretcher
- D. All of the above options are correct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When escorting a patient to the operating room on a stretcher, it is crucial to secure a safety belt or strap on the patient to prevent falls during the transfer. This safety measure is not considered a restraint but a necessary precaution. Lowering the bed position is not necessary; in fact, the bed should be in a high position to align with the stretcher. Locking the wheels of the stretcher is essential to prevent accidents during patient transfer. Therefore, the correct action to prevent falls while moving a patient to the operating room is to use a safety belt or strap on the patient throughout the escort.
What kind of preventive measures is MOST likely to be used to prevent Mary Eden from falling due to her muscular frailty?
- A. Physical therapy for muscle strengthening exercises
- B. Physical therapy for range of motion exercises
- C. Occupational therapy to help her with confusion
- D. Medications to help her sleep more
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Mary Eden, due to her muscular frailty, is at risk of falling. The most effective preventive measure in this case would be physical therapy focusing on muscle strengthening exercises. Strengthening exercises can help improve her muscle tone and stability, reducing the risk of falls. While range of motion exercises may be beneficial, they may not directly address her muscular frailty and stability concerns as effectively as muscle strengthening exercises. Occupational therapy aims to help individuals with activities of daily living and functional tasks, not confusion. Medications to induce more sleep can actually increase the risk of falls due to potential side effects like dizziness or disorientation, rather than preventing falls.
Asepsis is defined as ________________.
- A. the absence of all microorganisms
- B. the absence of disease-causing germs
- C. a urinary infection
- D. a pathogenic infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asepsis is defined as the absence of disease-causing germs. It is surgical asepsis that is defined as the absence of all microorganisms, including spores. A pathogenic infection is an invasion of the body by a pathogen, or disease-causing germ, and a urinary infection is only one type of infection.
One of the complications of complete bed rest and immobility is which of the following?
- A. Plantar flexion
- B. Dorsiflexion
- C. Extension contractures
- D. Adduction contractures
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Plantar flexion, or foot drop, is a common complication of complete bed rest and immobility. This condition occurs due to the weakening of muscles that lift the foot, leading to the foot dragging or being unable to clear the ground during walking. Dorsiflexion refers to moving the foot upwards, which is not a typical complication of immobility. Extension contractures involve the inability to fully extend a joint, while adduction contractures refer to the inability to move a limb away from the body. These types of contractures can also occur with immobility, but they are not specifically associated with foot drop.