Saunders NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

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Mr. W has orders for a physical therapy consult. The nurse contacts the appropriate department but 12 hours later, no one has come to see the client. Which is the most appropriate action of the nurse?

  • A. Call the supervisor and file a complaint against the physical therapy department
  • B. Contact the physician to notify him that the orders were not carried out
  • C. Assess the client's activity level by assisting with ambulation using a gait belt
  • D. Contact the physical therapy department again and repeat the order
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to contact the physical therapy department again and repeat the order (Choice D). This is the correct answer because it directly addresses the issue of the consult not being completed within a reasonable timeframe. By contacting the department again, the nurse ensures that the order is not overlooked or forgotten. This action shows proactive communication and follow-up to expedite the process and ensure the client receives the necessary care in a timely manner.

The other choices are incorrect:
A: Calling the supervisor and filing a complaint is premature without first attempting to resolve the issue directly with the department.
B: Contacting the physician is not the nurse's role in this situation. The focus should be on coordinating with the appropriate department.
C: Assessing the client's activity level is important but does not address the primary issue of the physical therapy consult not being completed.
Overall, choice D is the most appropriate course of action in this scenario.