Nokea
The nurse is working in the emergency department of a small local hospital when a client with multiple stab wounds arrives by ambulance. Which action by the nurse is contraindicated when handling potential legal evidence?
- A. Initiating a chain of custody log.
- B. Giving clothing and wallet to the family.
- C. Cutting clothing along seams, avoiding stab holes.
- D. Placing personal belongings in a labeled, sealed paper bag.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Potential evidence is never released to the family to take home. Basic rules for handling evidence include initiating a chain of custody log to track handling and movement of evidence, limiting the number of people with access to the evidence, and carefully removing clothing and placing personal belongings in a labeled, sealed paper bag to avoid destroying evidence. This also usually includes cutting clothes along seams, while avoiding areas where there are obvious holes or tears.
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The nurse documents a written entry regarding client care in the client's medical record. When checking the entry, the nurse notices that some of the documented information was incorrect. Which action should the nurse implement at this time?
- A. Obliterate the incorrect information with a black marker.
- B. Use correction fluid to cover up the incorrect information.
- C. Erase the error completely and write in the correct information.
- D. Draw a line through the incorrect information and initial the change.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To correct a written error documented in a medical record, the nurse draws one line through the incorrect information and then initials the error. The information remains visible and properly labeled as incorrect. Errors are never erased, and correction fluid or black markers are never used on a legal document such as the medical record.
The nurse is discussing accident prevention with the family of a client who is being discharged from the hospital after having hip surgery. Which physical factors place the client at risk for injury in the home? Select all that apply.
- A. A night-light in the bathroom
- B. Elevated toilet seat with armrests
- C. Cooking equipment such as a stove
- D. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- E. Objects such as a doormat and scatter rugs
- F. A low thermostat setting on the water heater
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Physical hazards in the environment place the client at risk for accidental injury and death. Injuries in the home frequently result from tripping over or coming into contact with common household objects such as a doormat, small rugs on the floor or stairs, or clutter around the house. Adequate lighting such as night-lights in dark hallways and bathrooms reduces the physical hazard by illuminating areas in which a person moves about. An elevated toilet seat with armrests and nonslip strips on the floor in front of the toilet are useful in reducing falls in the bathroom. Cooking equipment and appliances, particularly stoves, can be a main source for in-home fires and fire injuries. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be placed throughout the home to alert members of the household of a potential danger. A low thermostat setting on the water heater reduces the risk of burns during water use such as bathing or showering.
The nurse is about to administer a prescribed intravenous dose of tobramycin when the client reports vertigo and ringing in the ears. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Check the client's pupillary responses.
- B. Hang the dose of medication immediately.
- C. Give a dose of droperidol with the tobramycin.
- D. Hold the dose and call the primary health care provider (HCP).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tobramycin is an antibiotic (aminoglycoside). Ringing in the ears and vertigo are two symptoms that may indicate dysfunction of the eighth cranial nerve. The nurse should hold the dose and notify the HCP. Ototoxicity is a toxic effect of therapy with aminoglycosides and could result in permanent hearing loss. There is no need to check the pupillary response. Administering the dose would be an unsafe response.
The nurse should implement which safety measures to prevent an electrical shock when using electrical equipment? Select all that apply.
- A. Use a two-prong outlet.
- B. Check the electrical cord for fraying.
- C. Keep the electrical cord away from the sink.
- D. Place the excess electrical cord under a small carpet.
- E. Grasp the electrical cord when unplugging the equipment.
- F. Disconnect the electrical cord from the wall socket when cleaning the equipment.
Correct Answer: B,C,F
Rationale: The nurse needs to implement measures to prevent an electrical shock when using electrical equipment. These measures include using a three-prong plug that is grounded, checking the electrical cord for fraying or other damage, keeping the electrical cord away from the sink or other sources of water, using electrical tape to secure the excess electrical cord to the floor where it will not be stepped on (the cord should not be placed under carpet), grasping the plug (not the electrical cord) when unplugging the equipment, and disconnecting the electrical cord from the wall socket when cleaning the equipment.
The nurse is planning care for a client admitted with suicidal ideations. To best assure client safety the nurse will implement additional precautions during which time period?
- A. During the day shift
- B. On weekday evenings
- C. Between 8 am and 10 am
- D. During the unit shift change
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: At shift change, there is often less availability of staff. The psychiatric nurse and staff should increase precautions for suicidal clients at that time. The night shift also presents a high-risk time, as do weekends, not weekdays.