The nurse is assessing a patient who reports a previous fall and is using the SPLATT acronym. Which questions will the nurse ask the patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Where did you fall?
- B. What time did the fall occur?
- C. What were you doing when you fell?
- D. What types of injuries occurred after the fall?
- E. Did you obtain an electronic safety alert device after the fall?
- F. What are your medical problems that may have caused the fall?
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The correct answers are A, B, C, and D. The SPLATT acronym stands for Symptoms, Previous falls, Location, Activity, Time, and Trauma. Therefore, the nurse should ask where the fall happened (A), what the patient was doing when they fell (C), and what types of injuries occurred after the fall (D) to assess the circumstances surrounding the fall. Asking about the time of the fall (B) helps determine if there are any time-related factors contributing to the fall. These questions provide crucial information for assessing the patient's risk factors and potential interventions. Choices E and F are incorrect because they do not directly pertain to the SPLATT components and may not provide as relevant information for assessing the fall risk in this situation.
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The nurse is caring for a patient in restraints. Which essential information will the nurse document in the patient's medical record to provide safe care? (Select all that apply.)
- A. One family member has gone to lunch.
- B. Patient is placed in bilateral wrist restraints at 0815.
- C. Bilateral radial pulses present 2+ hands warm to touch.
- D. Straps with quick-release buckle attached to bed side rails.
- E. Attempts to distract the patient with television are unsuccessful.
- F. Released from restraints active range-of-motion exercises completed.
Correct Answer: B, C, E, F
Rationale: The correct answers are B, C, E, and F.
B: Documenting the time and type of restraints ensures accurate monitoring and prevents complications.
C: Checking pulses and assessing extremities' warmth is crucial to ensure circulation and prevent injury.
E: Documenting unsuccessful attempts to distract the patient helps assess effectiveness of interventions.
F: Noting the completion of range-of-motion exercises ensures patient safety and compliance with protocols.
Other options are irrelevant or do not directly relate to the safe care of a patient in restraints.
The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes confused and tries to remove an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which priority action will the nurse take?
- A. Assess the patient.
- B. Gather restraint supplies.
- C. Try alternatives to restraint.
- D. Call the health care provider for a restraint order.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient. The priority action is to assess the patient to determine the underlying cause of the sudden confusion and agitation. This will help the nurse identify any medical issues or discomfort causing the behavior, such as hypoxia, infection, or medication side effects. By assessing the patient first, the nurse can address the root cause of the behavior and implement appropriate interventions, which may include addressing the patient's needs, providing comfort measures, or involving other healthcare team members as needed. Gathering restraint supplies (B) should not be the initial action as it does not address the underlying cause of the behavior. Trying alternatives to restraint (C) is important but should come after assessing the patient. Calling the healthcare provider for a restraint order (D) should only be considered after other interventions have been attempted.
Which activity will cause the nurse to monitor for equipment-related accidents?
- A. Uses a patient-controlled analgesic pump.
- B. Uses a computer-based documentation record.
- C. Uses a measuring device that measures urine.
- D. Uses a manual medication-dispensing device.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because using a patient-controlled analgesic pump involves the use of medical equipment that can malfunction or be misused, potentially leading to accidents such as medication overdose. The nurse needs to monitor the equipment closely to ensure it is functioning properly and the patient is using it correctly. Choices B, C, and D do not involve equipment that poses a high risk of accidents if not monitored closely. Computer-based documentation records, measuring devices for urine, and manual medication-dispensing devices are all important tools for nurses, but they are less likely to result in equipment-related accidents compared to a patient-controlled analgesic pump.
The nurse enters the patient's room and notices a small fire in the headlight above the patient's bed. In which order will the nurse perform the steps, beginning with the first one?
- A. Pull the alarm.
- B. Remove the patient.
- C. Use the fire extinguisher.
- D. Close doors and windows.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct order is A: Pull the alarm. In case of a fire, alerting others is the first priority to ensure everyone's safety. This step will notify the fire department and initiate evacuation procedures. Removing the patient (B) should be done after sounding the alarm to prevent harm. Using the fire extinguisher (C) comes after ensuring the alarm is activated. Closing doors and windows (D) is important to contain the fire but should be done after alerting others and removing the patient.
The nurse is teaching a group of older adults at an assisted-living facility about age-related physiological changes affecting safety. Which question would be most important for the nurse to ask this group?
- A. Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?
- B. Are you able to read your favorite book?
- C. Are you able to taste spices like before?
- D. Are you able to open a jar of pickles?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?" This question is most important as hearing loss is a common age-related physiological change that can affect safety during emergencies. Tornado sirens are crucial for alerting individuals to seek shelter.
Summary of other choices:
B: Reading ability is important but not directly related to safety.
C: Taste changes are common with age but do not impact safety significantly.
D: Difficulty opening jars may occur with age but is not as critical for safety in emergencies.
In this context, asking about hearing the tornado sirens is the most relevant question for ensuring the safety of older adults in an assisted-living facility.