Which of the following scenarios represents nursing malpractice?
- A. The nurse administers penicillin to a patient with a documented history of allergy to the drug. The patient experiences an allergic reaction and suffers cerebral damage due to anoxia.
- B. The nurse applies a hot water bottle or a heating pad to the abdomen of a patient with abdominal cramping.
- C. The nurse assists a patient out of bed with the bed locked in position; the patient slips and fractures his right humerus.
- D. The nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient, resulting in vomiting. This error is documented and reported to the physician and the nursing supervisor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Administering a drug to a patient with a known allergy, leading to severe harm such as an allergic reaction causing cerebral damage due to anoxia, constitutes nursing malpractice. In this scenario, the nurse failed to adhere to the standard of care by administering a medication that the patient was allergic to, resulting in serious harm, which is a clear example of malpractice in nursing.
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Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse expect to find when assessing an Asian patient for postoperative pain following abdominal surgery?
- A. Decreased blood pressure and heart rate and shallow respirations
- B. Quiet crying
- C. Immobility, diaphoresis, and avoidance of deep breathing or coughing
- D. Changing position every 2 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
The physician orders a platelet count to be performed on Mrs. Smith after breakfast. The nurse is responsible for:
- A. Instructing the patient about this diagnostic test
- B. Writing the order for this test
- C. Giving the patient breakfast
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse's responsibility in this scenario is to instruct the patient about the diagnostic test ordered by the physician. This includes explaining the purpose of the test, any necessary preparations, and what to expect. The nurse is not responsible for writing the order, as this is the physician's role. Additionally, providing breakfast is not directly related to the platelet count test. Therefore, the correct answer is A, which aligns with the nurse's role in educating and supporting the patient regarding the test.
When discussing hair loss with Mrs. Lim, who begins to cry, the best response would be:
- A. Don't worry. It's only temporary
- B. Why are you crying? I didn't get to the bad news yet
- C. Your hair is really pretty
- D. I know this will be difficult for you, but your hair will grow back after the completion of chemotherapy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient is emotionally affected, it is essential to acknowledge their feelings while providing reassurance and information. Option D demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the difficulty Mrs. Lim is facing and offers hope by reassuring her that her hair will grow back after chemotherapy, which can provide comfort and support during a challenging time.
What is the most common psychogenic disorder among elderly individuals?
- A. Depression
- B. Sleep disturbances (e.g., bizarre dreams)
- C. Inability to concentrate
- D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Depression is the most common psychogenic disorder among elderly individuals. It can manifest as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Elderly individuals may also experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Detecting and addressing depression in the elderly is crucial for their overall well-being and quality of life.
A healthcare provider reaches to answer the telephone on a busy pediatric unit, momentarily turning away from a 3-month-old infant she has been weighing. The infant falls off the scale, suffering a skull fracture. The healthcare provider could be charged with:
- A. Defamation
- B. Assault
- C. Battery
- D. Malpractice
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The scenario described involves a breach of duty by the healthcare provider to properly supervise the infant, resulting in harm. This failure to meet the standard of care falls under the category of malpractice, which refers to professional negligence or misconduct. Malpractice specifically applies to situations where a healthcare provider's actions or omissions deviate from the accepted standard of care, causing harm to a patient. In this case, the nurse's lack of supervision leading to the infant falling off the scale and sustaining a skull fracture would be considered malpractice.
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