A patient who is unconscious after a fall from a ladder is transported to the emergency department by emergency medical personnel. During the primary survey of the patient, the nurse should:
- A. Obtain a complete set of vital signs.
- B. Obtain a Glasgow Coma Scale score.
- C. Ask about chronic medical conditions.
- D. Attach a cardiac electrocardiogram monitor.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Obtain a Glasgow Coma Scale score. During the primary survey, assessing the patient's level of consciousness is crucial as it helps determine the severity of the injury and guides further management. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a standardized tool used to assess the level of consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. It provides valuable information about the patient's neurological status.
A: Obtaining a complete set of vital signs is important but assessing the level of consciousness takes priority in this scenario.
C: Asking about chronic medical conditions is important but not as critical as assessing the patient's level of consciousness during the primary survey.
D: Attaching a cardiac electrocardiogram monitor is not necessary during the primary survey unless there are specific indications of cardiac issues, which are not evident in this case.
In summary, obtaining a Glasgow Coma Scale score is essential for assessing the patient's level of consciousness and determining the severity of the injury during the primary survey.
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Which statement is true regarding the effects of caring for dying patients on nurses?
- A. Attendance at funerals is inappropriate and will only c reate additional stress in nurses who are already at risk for burnout.
- B. Caring for dying patients is an expected part of nursingab airnb.dco wm/itells tn ot affect the emotional health of the nurse if he or she maintains a p rofessional approach with each patient and family.
- C. Most nurses who work with dying patients are able to balance care needs of patients with personal emotional needs.
- D. Provision of aggressive care to patients for whom they believe it is futile may result in personal ethical conflicts and burnout for nurses.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer, D, is supported by the fact that providing aggressive care to patients when nurses believe it is futile can lead to personal ethical conflicts and burnout. This is because nurses may experience moral distress when their values conflict with the care they are providing. This can result in emotional exhaustion and decreased job satisfaction, ultimately leading to burnout.
Choice A is incorrect because attending funerals can be a way for nurses to process their grief and find closure, rather than creating additional stress. Choice B is incorrect because caring for dying patients can have emotional impacts on nurses, regardless of their professional approach. Choice C is incorrect because balancing care needs with personal emotional needs can be challenging and may not always be achievable.
The nurse is caring for a critically ill patient who can speak. The nurse notices that the patient is demonstrating behaviors indicative of anxiety but is silent. What nursing strategy would give the nurse the most information about the patients feelings?
- A. Explain procedures to the patient and family.
- B. Ask the patient to share his or her internal dialogue.
- C. Encourage the patient to nap before visiting hours.
- D. Ensure that the patient has adequate pain control.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking the patient to share his or her internal dialogue can provide direct insight into the patient's thoughts and feelings, allowing the nurse to address specific anxieties. This approach promotes open communication and understanding. Choice A focuses on providing information but may not directly address the patient's feelings. Choice C is unrelated to addressing the patient's anxiety. Choice D addresses pain control, which is important but not directly related to exploring the patient's emotions. Therefore, option B is the most effective strategy for gaining insight into the patient's feelings in this scenario.
Family assessment can be challenging and each nurse may obtain additional information regarding family structure and dynamics. What is the best way to share this information from shift to shift?
- A. Create an informal family information sheet that is kept on the bedside clipboard. That way, everyone can review it quickly when needed .
- B. Develop a standardized reporting form for family infora mbir ab. tc io om n/ te thst a t is incorporated into the patient’s medical record and updated as neede d.
- C. Require that the charge nurse have a detailed list of inf ormation about each patient and family member. Thus, someone on the unit is always knowledgeable about potential issues.
- D. Try to remember to discuss family structure and dynamics as part of the change-of-shift report.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because developing a standardized reporting form for family information that is incorporated into the patient's medical record ensures consistency and accuracy in sharing vital details about family structure and dynamics from shift to shift. This method allows all healthcare providers to access the information easily and update it as needed, promoting continuity of care and comprehensive understanding of the family's needs.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because:
A: Creating an informal family information sheet may lead to inconsistencies in the information shared among healthcare providers and may not be updated regularly.
C: Requiring only the charge nurse to have detailed information may result in information silos and lack of accessibility for all team members.
D: Discussing family dynamics as part of the change-of-shift report may lead to important details being missed or forgotten, compromising the quality of care provided.
A nurse in the ICU is responding to a patient who has just gone into cardiac arrest. A moment later, the nurse is notified that another patient has just gone into anaphylactic shock due to a drug allergy. She is conflicted as to what to do, as she is the only nurse available at the moment to tend to both patients. Which component of a healthy work environment is lacking in this scenario?
- A. Effective decision making
- B. Appropriate staffing
- C. Authentic leadership
- D. Meaningful recognition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Appropriate staffing. In this scenario, the nurse is conflicted because she is the only nurse available to tend to both critical patients. Appropriate staffing ensures that there are enough healthcare professionals to provide timely and effective care to patients in need. In this situation, the lack of adequate staffing is evident as the nurse is overwhelmed and unable to give proper attention to both patients simultaneously. Effective decision making (choice A) can be hindered by inadequate staffing but is not the primary issue here. Authentic leadership (choice C) and meaningful recognition (choice D) are important components of a healthy work environment but are not directly related to the lack of staffing in this scenario.
When providing palliative care, the nurse must keep in mind that the family may include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Unmarried life partners of same sex
- B. Unmarried life partners of opposite sex
- C. Roommates
- D. Close friends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Unmarried life partners of same sex. When providing palliative care, it's crucial to recognize and respect diverse family structures. Unmarried life partners of the same sex may form a significant familial bond, requiring support and involvement in care decisions. This choice aligns with the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination in palliative care.
Incorrect choices:
B: Unmarried life partners of the opposite sex - This choice is incorrect as it limits the definition of family to only opposite-sex partners, excluding same-sex couples.
C: Roommates - While roommates may provide support, they do not necessarily have the same level of emotional and decision-making involvement as family members or life partners.
D: Close friends - While close friends can be important sources of support, they do not necessarily have the same legal or emotional ties as a life partner.