When charting in the client's record or chart, the nurse most needs to do which one of the following things?
- A. Date and sign each entry.
- B. Chart every two hours.
- C. Use ballpoint pen and not pencil.
- D. Cross out errors so others can't read them.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dating and signing each chart entry is most essential, establishing a legal timeline and accountability for actions. Fixed intervals aren't mandatory, pens ensure permanence but aren't the priority, and crossing out errors risks misinterpretation. This practice validates care, crucial for nursing documentation integrity.
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Which of the following is TRUE about the blood pressure determinants?
- A. Hypervolemia lowers BP
- B. Hypervolemia increases GFR
- C. HCT of 70% might decrease or increase BP
- D. Epinephrine decreases BP
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hematocrit (HCT) 70% e.g., polycythemia can raise BP (viscosity) or lower it (poor flow), unlike hypervolemia (raises BP, GFR), or epinephrine (raises BP). Nurses assess this e.g., in anemia for variable impacts, per circulatory dynamics.
The nurse is teaching a client who underwent a hypophysectomy for hypopituitarism about self-management. Which actions performed by the client could cause complications on the second post-operative day? Select all that apply.
- A. Nose blowing
- B. Teeth brushing
- C. Bending forward
- D. Lying in a semi-Fowler's position
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-hypophysectomy, nose blowing (A) risks CSF leak or meningitis by disrupting the surgical site. Brushing (B) and semi-Fowler's (D) are safe. Bending (C) is risky but less immediate. A is correct. Rationale: Nasal pressure can breach the pituitary fossa repair, a critical complication in early recovery, per post-operative neurosurgery care, unlike benign actions.
A client who experienced a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6 and is at risk for increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which position should the nurse maintain for this client?
- A. Supine with head turned to the right
- B. Prone with the head straight
- C. Semi-Fowler's at 30 degrees
- D. High Fowler's at 90 degrees
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a GCS of 6 with ICP risk, semi-Fowler's at 30 degrees (C) optimizes venous drainage, reducing ICP. Supine (A) or prone (B) increases pressure. High Fowler's (D) may destabilize. C is correct. Rationale: 30-degree elevation balances ICP reduction and perfusion, per neurocare standards, critical in severe brain injury.
When working as a licensed vocational nurse, you determine that your client scheduled for surgery does not understand the physician's earlier explanation of the surgery. The client is asking many questions about the risks and seems worried. Which of the following actions would be best on your part?
- A. Quickly explain the surgery procedures and the risks to the client.
- B. Cancel the surgery.
- C. Ask your supervising RN to explain the surgery procedure and its risks.
- D. Notify the physician.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a client scheduled for surgery shows a lack of understanding and expresses concern, notifying the physician is the best action for a licensed vocational nurse. The physician, as the primary decision-maker and the one obtaining informed consent, has the responsibility to ensure the client fully comprehends the procedure, risks, and benefits. The nurse's role is to facilitate communication and advocate for the client's needs, not to independently explain complex medical details outside their scope or cancel the surgery, which exceeds their authority. Asking the supervising RN might help, but it delays direct resolution by the physician, who is legally accountable for ensuring consent is informed. This approach upholds the nurse's duty to prioritize client understanding and safety while respecting professional boundaries and legal standards.
Which of the following statement best describe a health care proxy?
- A. A medical diagnosis
- B. A person chosen to decide
- C. A hospital policy
- D. A treatment plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A health care proxy is a person chosen to decide (B), per definition e.g., surrogate for incapacity. Not diagnosis (A), policy (C), plan (D) decision-maker. B best defines proxy's role, like Mr. Gary appointing someone, making it correct.