Which organization requires a mechanism for addressing ethical issues?
- A. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- B. American Hospital Association
- C. Society of Critical Care Medicine
- D. The Joint Commission
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, The Joint Commission, because it is a regulatory body that accredits healthcare organizations and requires them to have mechanisms for addressing ethical issues to ensure patient safety and quality of care. The other choices (A, B, C) are professional organizations that focus on specific areas of healthcare practice and do not have the authority to set regulatory standards for addressing ethical issues in healthcare organizations.
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The patient is admitted with acute kidney injury from a postrenal cause. Acceptable treatments for that diagnosis include: (Select all that apply.)
- A. bladder catheterization.
- B. increasing fluid volume intake.
- C. ureteral stenting.
- D. placement of nephrostomy tubes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Bladder catheterization helps relieve urinary obstruction, a common postrenal cause of acute kidney injury.
2. By draining urine from the bladder, it prevents further damage to the kidneys.
3. This intervention addresses the underlying cause of the kidney injury, leading to improvement.
Summary:
- Choice A is correct as it directly addresses the postrenal cause by relieving urinary obstruction.
- Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not target the specific postrenal cause of acute kidney injury.
Assuming each of these patients was discharged from the hospital, which older adult patient is at greatest risk for decreased functional status and quality of life?
- A. A 70-year-old who had coronary artery bypass surgery developed complications after surgery and had difficulty being weaned from meacbhirba.ncoicma/tle svt entilation. The patient required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy and is now being discharged to a long-term, acute care hospital. The patient lost their sig nificant other 3 years ago.
- B. A 79-year-old admitted for exacerbation of heart failure manages health care independently but needs diuretic medications adjusted . The patient states being compliant with prescribed medications but sometimes forgets to take them. The patient and 82-year-old spouse consider themselves to be independent and support each other.
- C. A 90-year-old admitted for a carotid endarterectomy lives in an assisted living facility (ALF) but is cognitively intact and claims to be the “social butterfly” at all of the events at the ALF. The patient is hospitalized for 4 days and discharged to the ALF.
- D. An 84-year-old who had stents placed to treat coronary artery occlusion has diabetes that has been managed, lives alone since losin g significant other 10 years ago, and was driving prior to hospitalization. The patieanbitr bw.caoms /dteisst charged home within 3 days of the procedure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because this patient had a complex surgery with complications, requiring long-term care and loss of a significant other, which can impact their emotional well-being and support system. This can lead to decreased functional status and quality of life.
Choice B is incorrect as the patient has support from a spouse and manages health care independently, indicating a good support system. Choice C is incorrect as the patient is cognitively intact and social, which suggests a good quality of life. Choice D is incorrect as the patient had a less complex procedure, well-managed diabetes, and was living independently, which indicates a lower risk for decreased functional status and quality of life compared to choice A.
The nurse obtains a heart rate of 92 and a blood pressure of 110/76 prior to administering a scheduled dose of verapamil (Calan) for a client with atrial flutter. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Give intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate.
- B. Withhold the drug and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Administer the dose as prescribed.
- D. Recheck the vital signs in 30 minutes and then administer the dose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer the dose as prescribed. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used to treat atrial flutter. The vital signs obtained are within normal range for this medication. A heart rate of 92 and blood pressure of 110/76 are not contraindications for administering verapamil. Option A is incorrect as calcium gluconate is not indicated in this situation. Option B is incorrect because the vital signs are stable and do not warrant withholding the medication. Option D is incorrect as there is no need to delay the administration of verapamil based on the vital signs provided.
Noise in the critical care unit can have negative effects on the patient. Which of the following interventions assists in reducing noise levels in the criticala cbiarbr.ec osme/ttetisnt g? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Asking the family to bring in the patient’s i-Pod or other device with favorite music.
- B. Inviting the volunteer harpist to play on the unit on a re gular basis.
- C. Remodeling the unit to have two-patient rooms to facil itate nursing care.
- D. Remodeling the unit to install acoustical ceiling tiles.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Bringing in the patient's i-Pod with favorite music can provide personalized, soothing sounds, reducing stress and anxiety for the patient.
Step 2: Familiar music can create a calming environment, distracting the patient from external noise.
Step 3: Listening to music may improve patient comfort and overall experience in the critical care unit.
Summary: Option A is correct as it directly addresses noise reduction by providing a personalized, calming environment for the patient. Options B, C, and D do not specifically target noise reduction but focus on other aspects of care or facility improvement.
The family is considering withdrawing life-sustaining measures from the patient. The nurse knows that ethical principles for withholding or withdrawi ng life-sustaining treatments include which of the following?
- A. Any treatment may be withdrawn and withheld, includ ing nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products.
- B. Doses of analgesic and anxiolytic medications must be adjusted carefully and should not exceed usual recommended limits.
- C. Life-sustaining treatments may be withdrawn while a patient is receiving paralytic agents.
- D. The goal of withdrawal and withholding of treatments is to hasten death and thus relieve suffering.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it aligns with the ethical principle of patient autonomy, which emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about their own care. Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, including nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products, respects the patient's autonomy. This choice also reflects the principle of beneficence, as it aims to prevent unnecessary suffering and respects the patient's wishes.
Option B is incorrect because it focuses on pain and anxiety management rather than the broader ethical considerations of withholding life-sustaining treatments.
Option C is incorrect because withdrawing life-sustaining treatments while a patient is receiving paralytic agents can pose additional risks and complications, potentially conflicting with the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence.
Option D is incorrect because the primary goal of withdrawing or withholding treatments is not to hasten death but to respect the patient's autonomy and quality of life. This choice does not align with the ethical principles of patient-centered care.