While family members are visiting, a patient has a respiratory arrest and is being resuscitated. Which action by the nurse is best?
- A. Ask family members if they wish to remain in the room during the resuscitation.
- B. Take the family members quickly out of the patient's room and remain with them.
- C. Assign a staff member to wait with family members just outside the patient's room.
- D. Encourage family members to stay, but advise them on the potential stress of the situation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it respects the patient's right to privacy while also acknowledging the family's presence. By asking family members if they wish to remain in the room, the nurse allows them to make an informed decision based on their comfort level. This approach fosters open communication and shows respect for the family's emotions.
Choice B is incorrect because abruptly removing family members can increase their distress and feelings of powerlessness. Choice C is incorrect as it places the burden of support solely on a staff member, potentially isolating the family from the situation. Choice D is incorrect as it assumes family members should stay without considering their preferences or emotional well-being.
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A nurse is caring for a patient in the final stages of dying. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- A. Encourage the patient to eat to maintain strength.
- B. Provide emotional support and comfort measures.
- C. Perform frequent assessments to monitor for recovery signs.
- D. Implement aggressive interventions to prolong life.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide emotional support and comfort measures. In the final stages of dying, the focus shifts from curative treatment to providing comfort and dignity. Emotional support helps alleviate anxiety and fear, promoting a peaceful transition. Comfort measures like pain management improve quality of life. Encouraging the patient to eat may be futile as the body shuts down. Performing frequent assessments for recovery signs is not appropriate in this situation. Implementing aggressive interventions could go against the patient's wishes for a natural death.
Family members are in the patient’s room when the patient has a cardiac arrest and the staff starts resuscitation measures. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Keep the family in the room and assign a staff member to explain the care given and answer questions.
- B. Ask the family to wait outside the patient’s room with a designated staff member to provide emotional support.
- C. Ask the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient’s room or wait outside the room.
- D. Tell the family members that patients are comforted by having family members present during resuscitation efforts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it involves patient-centered care and respects the family's preferences. By asking the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient's room or wait outside, the nurse acknowledges their needs and allows them to make an informed decision based on their comfort level. This empowers the family members and promotes a supportive environment during a stressful situation.
Choice A is incorrect because it assumes that keeping the family in the room without their input is the best approach, which may not be the case for all families. Choice B is incorrect because asking the family to wait outside without considering their preferences may not be the most supportive action. Choice D is incorrect because it makes a blanket statement about patient comfort without considering individual family dynamics and preferences.
Which action will the nurse need to do when preparing to assist with the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter?
- A. Determine if the cardiac troponin level is elevated.
- B. Auscultate heart and breath sounds during insertion.
- C. Place the patient on NPO status before the procedure.
- D. Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure. This is essential to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm and detect any abnormalities during catheter insertion. Cardiac monitoring leads provide real-time information on the patient's heart rate and rhythm, allowing the nurse to promptly address any complications.
A: Determining if the cardiac troponin level is elevated is not directly related to assisting with pulmonary artery catheter insertion.
B: Auscultating heart and breath sounds during insertion is important but does not take precedence over attaching cardiac monitoring leads.
C: Placing the patient on NPO status before the procedure may be necessary for other procedures, but it is not specifically required for assisting with pulmonary artery catheter insertion.
Which of the following assists the critical care nurse in ensuring that care is appropriate and based on research?
- A. Clinical practice guidelines
- B. Computerized physician order entry
- C. Consulting with advanced practice nurses
- D. Implementing Joint Commission National Patient Safe ty Goals
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clinical practice guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that assist nurses in providing appropriate care based on research. They outline best practices for specific patient populations or conditions, helping nurses make informed decisions.
Summary:
- B: Computerized physician order entry: While it may improve accuracy and efficiency, it does not specifically ensure care based on research.
- C: Consulting with advanced practice nurses: While collaboration is valuable, it does not guarantee care based on research.
- D: Implementing Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals: Important for patient safety, but not directly related to ensuring care based on research.
The family is considering withdrawing life-sustaining measures from the patient. The nurse knows that ethical principles for withholding or withdrawi ng life-sustaining treatments include which of the following?
- A. Any treatment may be withdrawn and withheld, includ ing nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products.
- B. Doses of analgesic and anxiolytic medications must be adjusted carefully and should not exceed usual recommended limits.
- C. Life-sustaining treatments may be withdrawn while a patient is receiving paralytic agents.
- D. The goal of withdrawal and withholding of treatments is to hasten death and thus relieve suffering.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it aligns with the ethical principle of patient autonomy, which emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about their own care. Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, including nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products, respects the patient's autonomy. This choice also reflects the principle of beneficence, as it aims to prevent unnecessary suffering and respects the patient's wishes.
Option B is incorrect because it focuses on pain and anxiety management rather than the broader ethical considerations of withholding life-sustaining treatments.
Option C is incorrect because withdrawing life-sustaining treatments while a patient is receiving paralytic agents can pose additional risks and complications, potentially conflicting with the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence.
Option D is incorrect because the primary goal of withdrawing or withholding treatments is not to hasten death but to respect the patient's autonomy and quality of life. This choice does not align with the ethical principles of patient-centered care.