Which of the following tasks may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel?
- A. Cleansing a wound with peroxide
- B. Irrigating a colostomy
- C. Assisting with performing incentive spirometry
- D. Removing a saline-lock IV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Certain tasks can be safely delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel to assist nurses in their workload. Tasks that involve routine activities like incentive spirometry can be delegated. Unlicensed assistive personnel can assist clients with incentive spirometry, helping in promoting lung expansion and preventing respiratory complications. Cleansing a wound with peroxide (Choice A) and irrigating a colostomy (Choice B) involve more complex procedures that should be performed by licensed healthcare providers due to the risk of infection and potential complications. Removing a saline-lock IV (Choice D) requires specialized training and should only be performed by licensed personnel to prevent complications and ensure patient safety. The nurse remains responsible for delegating tasks appropriately and overseeing the care provided by unlicensed assistive personnel.
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The nurse is performing discharge teaching for Mrs. S after cardiac angioplasty. Her husband is present for the teaching. While explaining the prescription for antiplatelet medication to use at home, Mrs. S's husband states, 'I don't think I can afford to refill that medication.' What is the most appropriate response of the nurse?
- A. Don't worry, your insurance will cover it.
- B. I'll ask the physician if he can prescribe a medication that is more affordable.
- C. You should apply for Medicare to see if they can help you.
- D. This medication is essential for her care and should be given priority over all others that she is taking.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse in this situation is to offer assistance in exploring more affordable medication options. It is important to address the patient's concerns about medication costs to ensure adherence to the treatment plan. By suggesting to ask the physician if a more affordable alternative is available, the nurse shows understanding and a commitment to helping the patient access necessary medications. Choice A is incorrect because assuming insurance coverage without verifying can lead to false expectations. Choice C is incorrect as Medicare eligibility and assistance may not be applicable in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the financial concern raised by the husband and emphasizes the importance of the medication without offering a practical solution to affordability.
The charge nurse is notified that the unit will be receiving an admission of a client from another bed in the hospital in order to make room for others being admitted through the emergency room. The unit is the Women's Health Center of the hospital. Which of the following patients would be most appropriate to be transferred to this unit?
- A. A 26-year-old woman who had a bowel resection
- B. A 40-year-old man who underwent a hernia repair
- C. A 31-year-old woman with septicemia and who is on a ventilator
- D. A 91-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease recovering from a fall
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When deciding on transferring patients between units in a hospital, it is essential to consider the appropriateness of the patient for the receiving unit. The Women's Health Center typically caters to female patients with gynecological or obstetric conditions that do not require intensive monitoring or specialized care. In this scenario, the most suitable patient for transfer to the Women's Health Center would be the 26-year-old woman who had a bowel resection, as her condition aligns more closely with the services provided in that unit. The other options, including a male patient, a critically ill patient on a ventilator, and an elderly patient with Alzheimer's disease, would not be appropriate for transfer to a Women's Health Center due to the specialized care they require, which may not align with the unit's focus and staffing capabilities.
Upon admission to the stroke care unit of a rehabilitation center, what is the primary action of the nurse?
- A. Collect and organize documents for the client's medical record
- B. Prepare the client's identification bracelet
- C. Identify pertinent health history data and current needs and limitations
- D. Gather the client's valuables and secure them in a locked container
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client is admitted to a stroke care unit in a rehabilitation center, the nurse's initial priority is to assess the client. This assessment includes identifying relevant health history data that may impact the client's care. By recognizing the client's current needs and limitations, the nurse can develop a comprehensive understanding of the client's condition. This information is crucial for generating a nursing diagnosis and establishing appropriate care outcomes. While collecting and organizing documents for the medical record, preparing identification bracelets, and securing valuables are important tasks, they are not the primary actions that directly influence the client's immediate care upon admission.
Mr. K is admitted to the orthopedic unit one morning in preparation for a total knee replacement to start in two hours. Which of the following is a priority topic to instruct this client on admission?
- A. The approximate length of the surgery
- B. The type of anticoagulants that will be prescribed
- C. The time of the next meal of solid food
- D. The length of time until the client can return to work
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority topic to instruct a client admitted for a total knee replacement surgery should be the approximate length of the surgery. Pre-surgical teaching should focus on preparing the client for the upcoming procedure. Providing information about the duration of the surgery can help manage the client's expectations, reduce anxiety, and ensure they are mentally prepared for the operation. While details about post-operative care, anticoagulants, meals, and return to work are important, they are not the immediate priority during the preoperative phase. These aspects can be addressed at a later stage in the client's care journey.
A nurse is asked to perform a task that she believes is outside her scope of practice. What is the appropriate response to this issue?
- A. Contact the state board of nursing licensure to report the offense
- B. Review the state scope of practice standards for nurses
- C. Ask another nurse to perform the task to learn the procedure
- D. Contact the house supervisor to make the decision on whether the nurse should perform the task
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When faced with a task that a nurse believes may be beyond their scope of practice, it is essential to refer to the state's specific scope of practice standards for nurses. This step is crucial as these standards can vary between states, providing clarity on what tasks are permissible. By reviewing these standards, the nurse can determine if the task falls within their scope of practice. Contacting the state board of nursing licensure to report the offense (Choice A) is premature and should only be considered if there is a serious violation after reviewing the scope of practice. Asking another nurse to perform the task (Choice C) does not address the issue of clarifying the scope of practice. Contacting the house supervisor (Choice D) may be necessary if the nurse cannot determine the appropriateness of the task based on the scope of practice standards.