Todays critical care nursing environment is constantly changing. What nursing behavior best illustrates awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing?
- A. Participating in the hospitals efforts to recruit new nurses
- B. Volunteering to serve on a disaster response planning committee
- C. Adhering to content taught in basic nursing program
- D. Attending hospital-mandated in-services without other education Answer Key
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because volunteering to serve on a disaster response planning committee demonstrates awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing. By actively participating in planning for potential disasters, the nurse shows a proactive approach to staying informed and prepared for emergencies. This behavior indicates a commitment to staying up-to-date with the evolving landscape of critical care nursing.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because:
A: Participating in recruitment efforts may be important but does not directly demonstrate awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing.
C: Adhering to basic nursing program content is necessary but does not show active engagement with current events in critical care nursing.
D: Attending hospital-mandated in-services is valuable, but without seeking additional education or involvement in current events, it does not illustrate awareness of the changing critical care nursing environment.
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Which interventions can the nurse use to facilitate communication with patients and families who are in the process of making decisions regarding end- of-life care options? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Communication of uniform messages from all healthca re team members
- B. An integrated plan of care that is developed collaborat ively by the patient, family, and healthcare team
- C. Facilitation of continuity of care through accurate shift -to-shift and transfer reports
- D. Limitation of time for families to express feelings in order to control family grief
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Communication of uniform messages from all healthcare team members. This intervention is crucial to ensure consistency in information provided to patients and families, reducing confusion and enhancing trust. When all team members convey the same messages, it helps in clarifying options and facilitating decision-making.
Choices B and C are incorrect as they focus on care planning and continuity, which are important but not specifically related to facilitating communication in end-of-life care decisions. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests limiting time for families to express feelings, which can hinder effective communication and support during such a sensitive time.
The nurse obtains the pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant before administering digoxin (Lanoxin). Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Withhold the medication and contact the healthcare provider.
- B. Give the medication dosage as scheduled.
- C. Assess respiratory rate for one minute next.
- D. Wait 30 minutes and give half of the dosage of medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Infants typically have higher resting heart rates than adults, so a pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant may indicate bradycardia. Digoxin can further lower the heart rate, leading to potential adverse effects like arrhythmias. Therefore, withholding the medication and contacting the healthcare provider is crucial to ensure the safety of the infant.
Choice B is incorrect because administering digoxin without addressing the elevated pulse rate can be dangerous. Choice C is incorrect as assessing respiratory rate does not address the immediate concern of the elevated pulse rate. Choice D is also incorrect as waiting and giving half of the dosage may further exacerbate the situation.
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient in the critica l care unit. The physician has ordered patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for the patient. The nurse understands what facts about the PCA? (Select all that apply.)
- A. It is a safe and effective method for administering anal gesia.
- B. It has potentially fewer side effects than other routes of analgesic administration.
- C. It is an ideal method to provide critically ill patients so me control over their treatment.
- D. It does not work well without family assistance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why Answer A is correct:
1. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to self-administer pain medication within preset limits, promoting pain management.
2. PCA is considered safe and effective as it provides better pain control, reduces the risk of overdose, and allows for individualized dosing.
3. Healthcare providers can monitor and adjust the PCA settings as needed to ensure optimal pain relief.
4. Studies have shown that PCA is a preferred method for postoperative pain management due to its efficacy and safety profile.
5. Overall, PCA is a reliable and beneficial approach to analgesia administration in postoperative patients.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
B: While PCA may have fewer side effects compared to some routes, this is not a defining characteristic of PCA.
C: While patients do have some control over their treatment with PCA, the primary focus is on pain management rather than giving control to critically ill patients.
D: PCA can be used effectively without family
The client has been in the CCU for several weeks and has been very unstable. One family member stays at the bedside constantly and even naps in a bedside chair. The nurse understands that the family member is exhibiting which family member response to critical illness?
- A. Exhibiting extreme distrust of the health care team
- B. Seeking evidence for future legal or punitive action
- C. Trying to maintain a level of control over the situation
- D. Experiencing extreme fatigue from constant stress
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Trying to maintain a level of control over the situation. The family member staying at the bedside constantly and even napping there is likely trying to cope with the stressful situation by maintaining a sense of control and connection to the patient. This behavior can be a way for the family member to feel more involved and helpful during a time of uncertainty and powerlessness. Choices A and B involve negative assumptions about the family member's intentions without evidence. Choice D may be a result of the family member's actions but does not address the underlying motivation for their behavior.
What is the main purpose of certification for critical care n ursing?
- A. To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake.
- B. To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate sch ool.
- C. To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility.
- D. To validate a nurse’s knowledge of critical care nursing
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: To validate a nurse’s knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification in critical care nursing validates a nurse's expertise and knowledge in this specialized area of nursing. It demonstrates that the nurse has met certain standards and competencies in critical care practice. This certification ensures that the nurse is well-equipped to provide high-quality care to critically ill patients.
A: To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake - This choice is incorrect because certification does not guarantee that nurses will not make mistakes. It focuses on validating knowledge and skills rather than infallibility.
B: To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate school - This choice is incorrect as certification is more focused on practice readiness rather than academic preparation.
C: To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility - This choice is incorrect as magnet status relates more to the overall excellence and quality of nursing care in a facility, not individual certification.