What should a designated healthcare surrogate base healthcare decisions on?
- A. Personal beliefs and values
- B. Recommendations of family members and friends
- C. Recommendations of the physician and healthcare team
- D. Wishes previously expressed by the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the healthcare surrogate should base decisions on recommendations of the physician and healthcare team who have the expertise to provide medical advice. They are best positioned to understand the patient's condition and treatment options. Personal beliefs (A) may not align with medical best practices. Family and friends' recommendations (B) may not be informed by medical knowledge. Wishes previously expressed by the patient (D) are important but may need to be interpreted in the context of the current medical situation, which healthcare professionals can provide.
You may also like to solve these questions
Complications common to patients receiving hemodialysis for acute kidney injury include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Hypotension
- B. Dysrhythmias
- C. Muscle cramps
- D. Hemolysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, hypotension. During hemodialysis for acute kidney injury, fluid removal can lead to hypotension due to rapid changes in blood volume. This can cause dizziness, weakness, and even loss of consciousness. Dysrhythmias (choice B) are less common but can occur due to electrolyte imbalances. Muscle cramps (choice C) may occur during or after dialysis due to electrolyte imbalances or fluid shifts, but they are not as common as hypotension. Hemolysis (choice D) is not a common complication of hemodialysis for acute kidney injury, as it is more commonly associated with issues related to the dialysis machine or blood tubing.
Which nursing actions for the care of a dying patient can the nurse delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) (select all that apply)?
- A. Provide postmortem care to the patient.
- B. Encourage the family members to talk with and reassure the patient.
- C. Determine how frequently physical assessments are needed for the patient.
- D. Teach family members about commonly occurring signs of approaching death.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because providing postmortem care to a dying patient is a task that can be safely delegated to an LPN/LVN. This includes tasks such as preparing the body, cleaning, and positioning after death. LPNs/LVNs are trained and competent in performing these duties under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they involve critical thinking, assessment, and teaching skills that are typically within the scope of practice of a registered nurse. Encouraging family members to talk with the patient, determining assessment frequency, and educating about signs of approaching death require a higher level of nursing judgment and expertise, which is beyond the scope of an LPN/LVN's role.
The nurse is caring for 80-year-old patient who has been tr eated for gastrointestinal bleeding. The family has agreed to withhold or withdraw additional treatment. The patient has a written advance directive specifying requests. The directive notes that the patient wants food and fluid to be continued and to be made physically comfortable. Th e nurse anticipates that several orders may be written to comply with this request, including which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. “Do not resuscitate.”
- B. Change antibiotic to a less expensive medication.
- C. Discontinue tube feeding.
- D. Stop any further blood transfusions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Do not resuscitate." In this scenario, the patient's advance directive specifies a desire for comfort measures and continuation of food and fluids. A DNR order aligns with this directive by respecting the patient's wish to avoid aggressive life-saving measures. This choice prioritizes the patient's autonomy and quality of life. Other options (B, C, D) are not aligned with the patient's wishes. Changing antibiotics or stopping blood transfusions may be unrelated to the patient's comfort or food/fluid preferences. Discontinuing tube feeding goes against the directive's request for food and fluid continuation.
A patient declared brain dead is an organ donor. The following events occur: 1300 Diagnostic tests for brain death are completed. 1330 primary care provider reviews diagnostic test results and writes in the progress note that the patient is brain deaadb.i r1b.4co0m0/ tePsat tient is taken to the operating room for organ retrieval. 1800 All organs have b een retrieved for donation. The ventilator is discontinued. 1810 Cardiac monitor shows fla tline. What is the official time of death recorded in the medical record?
- A. 1300
- B. 1330
- C. 1400
- D. 1800
Correct Answer: E
Rationale: The correct answer is not provided, but based on the events described, the official time of death recorded in the medical record should be 1810 (Choice D). At this time, the cardiac monitor shows flatline, indicating the cessation of cardiac activity, which is the universally accepted point of declaring death.
Choice A (1300) is incorrect because that is when diagnostic tests for brain death were completed, but the patient was not officially declared dead at that time.
Choice B (1330) is incorrect as this is when the primary care provider reviewed the test results and documented brain death in the progress note, but the patient was not officially declared dead at this time either.
Choice C (1400) is incorrect as there is no significant event occurring at this time that signifies the patient's death.
Therefore, the most appropriate and official time of death recorded in the medical record would be 1810 when the cardiac monitor shows flatline.
A patient is experiencing severe pain, despite receiving pain medication for the past 24 hours. The patients wife expresses concern about this to the nurse. Which response by the nurse would be most empowering to the patients family?
- A. Explain that the doctor is an expert on pain medication and that the current level ofm edication is the best.
- B. Recommend that the family members take turns massaging the patients feet todistract from the pain.
- C. Encourage the family to request that the physician evaluate the patients pain control.
- D. Ask the family to wait another 24 hours to see whether the patients pain level will go down.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it empowers the family to take action by requesting a physician evaluation of the patient's pain control. This step is crucial in ensuring that the patient's pain is adequately managed. By involving the physician, the family can advocate for the patient's needs and potentially explore alternative pain management strategies.
Choice A is incorrect because it dismisses the family's concerns and fails to address the need for further evaluation. Choice B may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of inadequate pain control. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests delaying action, which could lead to prolonged suffering for the patient.