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While working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the long-term care unit, the nurse gathers the nursing staff to listen to the 3 to 11 p.m. intershift report. The nurse notes that a staff member has an odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait, suspecting alcohol intoxication. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Contact the nursing supervisor.
- B. Tell the staff member that she is not allowed to administer medications.
- C. Ask the staff member how much alcohol she has consumed.
- D. Ask the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge until the effects of the alcohol wear off.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a staff member reports to work showing signs of alcohol intoxication, the nurse should objectively note the symptoms and ask a second person to confirm these observations. It is crucial to contact the nursing supervisor immediately. An odor of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and errors in judgment are indicators of intoxication, posing a risk to client safety. The staff member should be removed from the client care area. Detailed documentation of the incident is essential, including observations, actions taken, future plans, and the staff member's signature and date on the recorded incident memo. If the staff member refuses to sign, this should be noted by the nurse and a witness. Asking the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge or restricting medication administration does not ensure client safety, as the staff member could still jeopardize it. Inquiring about the amount of alcohol consumed is confrontational and not relevant to the immediate need of ensuring safety.
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A nurse and a nursing assistant enter a client's room to provide care and find the client lying on the floor. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Ask the nursing assistant to complete an incident report
- B. Check the client's level of consciousness and vital signs
- C. Contact the unit secretary on the intercom and ask that the client's health care provider be called
- D. Ask the nursing assistant to assist in getting the client back to bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a client sustains a fall, the nurse must first assess the client. The nurse should check the client's level of consciousness and vital signs to determine the severity of the situation and provide appropriate care promptly. This immediate assessment is crucial in ensuring the client's immediate needs are addressed. Asking the nursing assistant to complete an incident report (choice A) is not the priority as the client's condition needs immediate attention. Contacting the unit secretary to call the client's health care provider (choice C) can be done after the initial assessment has been completed. Asking the nursing assistant to assist in getting the client back to bed (choice D) should only be considered after ensuring the client is stable and safe to move.
The nurse manager of a quality improvement program asks a nurse in the neurological unit to conduct a retrospective audit. Which action should the auditing nurse plan to perform in this type of audit?
- A. Checking the crash cart to ensure that all needed supplies are readily available in case of an emergency
- B. Checking the documentation written by a new nursing graduate on her assigned clients at the end of the shift
- C. Reviewing neurological assessment checklists for all clients on the unit to ensure that these assessments are being conducted as prescribed
- D. Obtaining the assigned medical record from the hospital's medical record room to review documentation made during a client's hospital stay
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Quality improvement, also known as performance improvement, focuses on processes contributing to client safety and care outcomes. Retrospective audits involve reviewing medical records after discharge for compliance with standards. Concurrent audits assess staff compliance during a client's stay. Therefore, obtaining the medical record from the hospital's record room for review is crucial in a retrospective audit. Options A, B, and C are more suited for concurrent audits as they involve real-time assessment during a client's stay.
A nurse enters a client's room to administer a medication that has been prescribed by the health care provider. The client asks the nurse about the medication. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. I know that it's for fluid buildup, and I think you've taken it before.''
- B. It's called furosemide (Lasix), and it will promote urination and rid your body of the excess fluid. It can cause an alteration in electrolyte levels, so we'll need to increase the potassium in your diet.''
- C. It's to help get rid of the swelling in your feet.''
- D. You need to discuss this medication with your health care provider.''
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A client has the right to be informed of the medication name, purpose, action, and potential undesirable effects of a prescribed medication. The nurse should provide adequate information to the client. Choice B is the correct answer as it includes the medication name, its purpose (promoting urination and eliminating excess fluid), and a potential side effect (alteration in electrolyte levels) with a plan for managing it (increasing potassium in the diet). This response demonstrates thorough and complete information. Choice A provides some information but lacks details on potential side effects and dietary adjustments. Choice C is vague and does not provide specific details about the medication. Choice D deflects the client's question and does not fulfill the client's right to information.
While preparing a client for a bronchoscopy, a nurse notes that the client is wearing a gold necklace. What should the nurse do to safeguard the client's necklace?
- A. Ask the client for permission to lock the necklace in the hospital safe
- B. Ask the client to remove the necklace and place it in the top drawer of the bedside table
- C. Ask the client whether the necklace is gold
- D. Ask the client to sign a release to free the hospital of responsibility if the necklace is damaged or lost during the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client has valuables such as jewelry, the nurse should ensure their safekeeping. It is appropriate for the nurse to ask the client for permission to lock the necklace in the hospital safe to prevent loss or damage. This option prioritizes the security of the necklace while allowing the client to make an informed decision. Asking the client to sign a release form does not guarantee the necklace's safety; it only releases the hospital from liability. Placing the necklace in a bedside table drawer does not provide adequate security as it is not as secure as a hospital safe. Inquiring whether the necklace is gold is irrelevant to safeguarding the jewelry during the procedure, as the primary concern is its safekeeping.
In what order should the LPN see the following clients? Use appropriate letters to match the correct order
- A. A, D, B, C
- B. C, B, D, A
- C. D, C, B, A
- D. B, C, A, D
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for the LPN to see the clients is C, B, D, A. It is crucial to prioritize client care based on the urgency of their conditions. The 53-year-old client with lower leg swelling complaining of sudden onset headache and blurry vision (Client C) should be seen first as they are at the highest risk for serious healthcare complications. Next, the LPN should attend to the 23-year-old client with a left arm fracture after an MVA complaining of significant pain in his arm (Client B). Following that, the LPN can address the 47-year-old client requesting more information regarding her surgery scheduled in three hours (Client D). Lastly, the LPN should attend to the 72-year-old client with pneumonia asking to order her dinner (Client A). This order ensures that the most critical needs are met first, followed by the less urgent ones. Choice A is incorrect as it places the 72-year-old client before the 23-year-old client with a painful arm. Choice B is incorrect as it prioritizes the 53-year-old client last. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the urgency of the clients' conditions appropriately.