Which of the following best explains the nurse's primary use of the nursing process when providing care to patients?
- A. To explain nursing interventions to other health care professionals
- B. As a problem-solving tool to identify and treat patients' health care needs
- C. As a scientific-based process of diagnosing the patient's health care problems
- D. To establish nursing theory that incorporates the biopsychosocial nature of humans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process is an assertive problem-solving approach to the identification and treatment of patients' problems. Diagnosis is only one phase of the nursing process. The primary use of the nursing process is in patient care, not to establish nursing theory or explain nursing interventions to other health care professionals.
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Which action by a newly graduated RN working on the postsurgical unit indicates that more education about delegation and assignment is needed?
- A. The nurse delegates measurement of patient oral intake and urine output to an unregulated care provider.
- B. The nurse delegates assessment of a patient's bowel sounds to an experienced unregulated care provider.
- C. The nurse assigns an LPN/RPN to administer oral medications to several patients.
- D. The nurse assigns a 'float' RN from pediatrics to care for a patient with diabetes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment requires RN education and scope of practice and cannot be delegated to an unregulated care provider. The other actions by the new RN are appropriate.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been admitted to the hospital for surgery and tells the nurse, 'I do not feel right about leaving my children with my neighbour.' Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Reassure the patient that these feelings are common for parents.
- B. Have the patient call the children to ensure that they are doing well.
- C. Call the neighbour to determine whether adequate childcare is being provided.
- D. Gather more data about the patient's feelings about the childcare arrangements.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Since a complete assessment is necessary in order to identify a problem and choose an appropriate intervention, the nurse's first action should be to obtain more information. The other actions may be appropriate, but more assessment is needed before the best intervention can be chosen.
Which of the following would the nurse perform during the assessment phase of the nursing process?
- A. Obtains data with which to diagnose patient problems.
- B. Uses patient data to develop priority nursing diagnoses.
- C. Teaches interventions to relieve patient health problems.
- D. Assists the patient to identify realistic outcomes to health problems.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During the assessment phase, the nurse gathers information about the patient. The other responses are examples of the intervention, diagnosis, and planning phases of the nursing process.
The nurse caring for a patient with an infection has a nursing diagnosis of deficient fluid volume related to excessive fluid loss through normal route (diaphoresis). Which of the following is an appropriate patient outcome?
- A. Patient has a balanced intake and output.
- B. Patient's bedding is changed when it becomes damp.
- C. Patient understands the need for increased fluid intake.
- D. Patient's skin remains cool and dry throughout hospitalization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This statement gives measurable data showing resolution of the problem of deficient fluid volume that was identified in the nursing diagnosis statement. The other statements would not indicate that the problem of deficient fluid volume was resolved.
Which of these tasks is appropriate for the registered nurse to delegate to an unregulated care provider?
- A. Perform a sterile dressing change for an infected wound.
- B. Complete the patients' initial bath.
- C. Teach a patient about the effects of prescribed medications.
- D. Document patient teaching about a routine surgical procedure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unregulated care providers are able to provide personal care to patients. Patient teaching and the initial assessment and development of the plan of care are nursing actions that require RN-level education and scope of practice when working with patients that are not stable.
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