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An LPN on a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team is tasked with implementing strategies to reduce medication errors. Which of the following strategies would be most beneficial for the LPN to implement?
- A. Track individuals who commit medication errors and report them to administration.
- B. Remind staff of the five rights of medication administration.
- C. Ensure that all staff members are proficient in completing incident reports if a medication error occurs.
- D. Double-check that staff document medication administration in the electronic medical record.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most beneficial strategy for the LPN on a CQI team to implement is to ensure that all staff members are proficient in completing incident reports if a medication error occurs. Organized and accurate incident reports are crucial in tracking and understanding why errors occurred. CQI teams utilize incident reports to develop new policies or enhance existing ones to standardize medical processes and reduce errors. Tracking individuals with medication errors (Choice A) may create a culture of blame rather than focusing on system improvements. Reminding staff of the five rights of medication administration (Choice B) is important for knowledge reinforcement but does not directly address the process improvement aspect. Double-checking documentation in the electronic medical record (Choice D) is necessary for accuracy but does not provide the detailed insights obtained from incident reports for process improvement.
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While working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the long-term care unit, the nurse gathers the nursing staff to listen to the 3 to 11 p.m. intershift report. The nurse notes that a staff member has an odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait, suspecting alcohol intoxication. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Contact the nursing supervisor.
- B. Tell the staff member that she is not allowed to administer medications.
- C. Ask the staff member how much alcohol she has consumed.
- D. Ask the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge until the effects of the alcohol wear off.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a staff member reports to work showing signs of alcohol intoxication, the nurse should objectively note the symptoms and ask a second person to confirm these observations. It is crucial to contact the nursing supervisor immediately. An odor of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and errors in judgment are indicators of intoxication, posing a risk to client safety. The staff member should be removed from the client care area. Detailed documentation of the incident is essential, including observations, actions taken, future plans, and the staff member's signature and date on the recorded incident memo. If the staff member refuses to sign, this should be noted by the nurse and a witness. Asking the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge or restricting medication administration does not ensure client safety, as the staff member could still jeopardize it. Inquiring about the amount of alcohol consumed is confrontational and not relevant to the immediate need of ensuring safety.
A nurse calls a health care provider to question a prescription written for a higher-than-normal dosage of morphine sulfate. The health care provider changes the prescription to a dosage within the normal range, and the nurse documents the new telephone prescription in accordance with the agency's guidelines in the client's record. Which other statement does the nurse document in the nursing notes?
- A. The health care provider made a mistake in the written prescription for morphine sulfate.
- B. An inaccurate dosage of morphine sulfate was prescribed and the health care provider was informed.
- C. The health care provider was contacted to correct a mistake in the dosage of morphine sulfate.
- D. The health care provider was contacted to clarify the prescription for morphine sulfate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse needs to document a factual, descriptive, and objective statement that does not include words indicating that an individual made a mistake or performed an incorrect action or procedure. If a health care provider's prescription must be questioned, the nurse should record that clarification regarding the prescription was sought. Therefore, the correct statement to document is that the health care provider was contacted to clarify the prescription for morphine sulfate. Choices A, B, and C imply errors or mistakes on the part of the health care provider, which is not the focus of the documentation in this scenario.
A client asks a nurse about the procedure for becoming an organ donor. The nurse provides the client with which information?
- A. To speak with the chaplain about the psychosocial aspects of becoming a donor
- B. That this decision must be made by the next of kin at the time of the client's death
- C. That anatomic gifts must be made in writing and signed by the client
- D. To let the health care provider know about the request so that it may be documented in the client's record
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a person wishes to become an organ donor, they need to understand that anatomic gifts must be made in writing and signed by the individual. The gift must be made by the donor themselves, typically an individual who is at least 18 years old. If the client is unable to sign, the document should be signed by another person and two witnesses. While speaking to a chaplain or informing the healthcare provider may be part of the process, the essential step is to have a written document signed by the client. Choice A is incorrect as it does not address the procedural aspect of becoming an organ donor. Choice B is incorrect as the decision to make an anatomic gift is typically made by the individual themselves, not the next of kin. Choice D is incorrect as simply informing the healthcare provider is not sufficient for the procedure of becoming an organ donor; a written and signed document by the client is necessary.
Which of the following provides the framework for confidentiality and the client's right to privacy?
- A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- B. CDC Surveillance Programs
- C. American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
- D. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is the federal statute that outlines client confidentiality and the client's right to privacy. It establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and personal health information. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics emphasizes principles of nursing ethics but does not serve as a legal framework for confidentiality and privacy. CDC Surveillance Programs focus on disease surveillance and control at a public health level and are not directly related to individual client privacy. The durable power of attorney for health care pertains to granting legal decision-making authority to another individual in healthcare matters, rather than addressing confidentiality and privacy rights.
People-related supervisory tasks include all of the following except:
- A. coaching
- B. encouraging
- C. target setting
- D. rewarding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: People-related supervisory tasks involve direct interaction with individuals performing the work. Coaching, encouraging, rewarding, evaluating, and facilitating are all part of these tasks as they focus on supporting and motivating employees. Target setting, on the other hand, is a task-centered responsibility that involves projecting goals or objectives to be accomplished. It focuses more on setting objectives and goals rather than directly interacting with individuals, making it the exception among the given choices.