Nokea
You are caring for a Hispanic patient who is scheduled for surgery in the morning. A member of the surgery staff is in a hurry when she visits the patient to obtain surgical consent. You know that the patient speaks limited English and can see that he does not really understand what's being said. What is the most appropriate next action?
- A. Call a family member to interpret
- B. Consult the hospital translator to assist
- C. Allow the consent to be signed
- D. Ask the staff member to come back later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Consulting the hospital translator is the most reliable means of ensuring accuracy in the information that the patient is receiving. Family members can be helpful, but they may have difficulty understanding the medical procedures well enough to explain them accurately and may misinterpret the message. Relying on family members could lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication. Allowing the consent to be signed without ensuring the patient's full understanding could pose risks to the patient's well-being. Asking the staff member to come back later delays the essential communication process needed before surgery. Therefore, consulting the hospital translator is the best course of action to ensure clear and accurate communication, especially in critical healthcare decisions like surgical consent.
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If a healthcare professional prevents intentional harm from occurring to a patient, which ethical principle is being supported?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Nonmaleficence
- C. Justice
- D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm intentionally. In this scenario, by preventing intentional harm to a patient, the healthcare professional is upholding the principle of nonmaleficence. Beneficence, although important, focuses on doing good and promoting well-being rather than solely preventing harm. Justice relates to fairness and equality in resource distribution, while fidelity involves being faithful and keeping promises, which are not directly applicable to the situation of preventing intentional harm to a patient.
Which of the following is a function of risk management?
- A. To consider the problems that arise if errors happen and their effects on the healthcare environment
- B. To identify how nursing care responds to specific client problems
- C. To view clients as customers and decide what actions will provide a satisfying healthcare experience
- D. To analyze physician-nurse relationships and determine where collaboration efforts can improve
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The function of risk management in healthcare is to assess and address potential risks that could lead to errors and their effects on the healthcare environment. This involves identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks to minimize their impact and prevent adverse outcomes. Choice A is correct because it aligns with the core purpose of risk management in healthcare. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the primary focus of risk management, which is the proactive management of risks to ensure patient safety and quality care.
After a lengthy explanation of a medical procedure, the patient asks many questions. The physician answers all of the questions to the best of their ability. The patient then gives consent for treatment. The costly equipment and supplies are put into place, and the patient is prepared. Two minutes before the procedure is to start, the patient begins panicking and changes their mind. Which of the following situations would be the best way to avoid litigation?
- A. Document that the patient originally gave consent and proceed if the benefits of the procedure outweigh the patient's wishes.
- B. Have the patient sign a form stating that they are refusing consent. If they refuse to sign, do not proceed with the procedure.
- C. Repeat the explanation of the procedure until the patient understands that having the procedure done is the best form of treatment. Do not proceed with the procedure.
- D. Do not proceed. Document the patient's refusal, have the patient sign a refusal to consent to treatment. If the patient refuses to sign the form, have a witness available to sign.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the best course of action to avoid litigation is to respect the patient's right to refuse treatment, especially when changing their mind before the procedure starts. By not proceeding with the treatment, documenting the patient's refusal, and having the patient sign a refusal to consent form, you are following proper ethical and legal procedures. If the patient refuses to sign the form, having a witness available to sign further strengthens the documentation of the patient's decision. This approach ensures that the patient's autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their healthcare are respected. Choices A, B, and C do not prioritize the patient's right to refuse treatment and could potentially lead to legal issues if treatment is carried out against the patient's wishes.
Who typically owns a patient's medical record?
- A. The patient
- B. The physician
- C. The Legal Counsel of the Office
- D. No one owns a medical record
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'The physician.' Physicians typically own their patients' medical records as they are the ones responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining these records. However, it is essential to note that patients have the legal right to access and obtain copies of their medical records. Choice A ('The patient') is incorrect as patients do not own their medical records, but they do have rights regarding access to them. Choice C ('The Legal Counsel of the Office') is incorrect as legal counsel typically do not own or have ownership rights over medical records. Choice D ('No one owns a medical record') is incorrect as medical records are owned by healthcare providers who create and maintain them, such as physicians.
What is the purpose of performing quality control?
- A. Create a paper trail to show that the laboratory is compliant with OSHA standards for quality control.
- B. Improve the odds that the results reported for any given test are as accurate and reliable as possible.
- C. Be required by law to be part of a quality assurance program.
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of performing quality control is to enhance the accuracy and reliability of test results. Quality controls are crucial for ensuring the reliability of each analyte tested. While quality control is not mandated by specific laws, accrediting bodies often require it to maintain accreditation. Creating a paper trail and legal requirements are not the primary objectives of quality control, making choices A and C incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is to improve the accuracy and reliability of reported test results.