Health Care Team: Where the LPN Fits
How many nursing assistants are the in the U.S.?
1.5 million
How long is the LPN/LVN program?
12 to 18 months
What's the percentage of male LPNs or orderlies?
12.1%
How long do patients usually stay in the PACU?
2-6 hours until VS are stabilized and their sedation levels decrease
How many RNs are in the U.S.?
2.9 million
How many practical/vocational nurses are there in the United States?
730,000
Explain the difference between a nursing assistant and unlicensed assistive personnel.
A NA is formally trained and have to meet OBRA requirements while an UAP goes through very minimal training
How is certification different from the licensing process?
A license ensures minimal entry competence. A certificate demonstrates advanced or specialized competence, usually after a certain amount of work experience.
What is the difference in the roles of RNs prepared in 2- and 3-year programs compared to a 4-year program?
Although you may find 2- and 3-year RNs in supervisory and administrative positions, only bachelor's graduates have been prepared in their nursing education programs for advancement to these positions.
What are the RN Postgraduate Educational Opportunities?
BSN completion program Certification Advanced-practice registered nurse (clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, etc.) Master of Nursing programs Doctoral degree programs
What is a disadvantage of functional nursing?
Care is often fragmented; no one seems "in charge" of the patient
Bill is a CRNA. What do the initials CRNA stand for?
Certified registered nurse anesthetist
What does the LPN program concentrate on?
Clinical care and administration of drugs
The term advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN) identifies the advanced practice of what specific roles?
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS), Nurse Practicioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified RN Anesthetist (CRNA), and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Why might someone choose to pursue a 2-year program instead of a 4-year program?
Cost, time availability, academic ability, etc
When was functional nursing a popular method of patient assignment? Why?
During WWII due to a shortage of RNs
What health team members are included in emergency care?
EMTs, RNs, Emergency dept doctor, x-ray tech, radiologist, family physician, orthopedic surgeon, lab personnel, and clergy
Primary Nursing
Each nurse is a bedside nurse and are characterized by responsibility and accountability
What is required for an RN to work in an ICU?
Education varies by employer. Some require a BSN and have a minimum of two years experience on a general unit
Roles of RN
Function independently in nursing, plan care, coordinate all the activities of acre, provide care that require more specialized knowledge and judgement, teach patients, families, and other health care team members, and act as patient advocate
Student Nurse
Have a responsibility to give safe care and act under instructor supervision
Where is the case method mostly used?
Home care Nursing
Where is the team nursing method mostly used?
Home facility
Patient-centered care
Improves the quality of care by using hospital resources more efficiently to meet patients' needs
Why have health care organizations added this level (UAP) to the health care team?
In an effort to use health care workers more efficiently and effectively
Where are majority of LPN/LVN employed?
Long term care
Where is the nurse to patient ratios often much higher than in acute/hospital care setting?
Long term care
Where are LPN's usually employed?
Long term care settings physician office, weight-loss clinic, freestanding clinics, ambulatory care centers, home health care agencies, industry, dialysis centers, group homes, and adult day care centers
What is the important function of nursing?
Maintenance of heath or wellness
Are nursing assistants licensed personnel?
No. While they must complete a federally approved training program, demonstrate competency, and be registered in a directory, they do not take a licensing exam
What has the AACN proposed for advanced-practice nurses?
Nurse Executive/ Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
If a health care organization does not have unit managers, who assumes these responsibilities?
Nurse Manager
All RNs function under what?
Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they're working
UAPs are also known as:
Nurse extenders, patient care techs. assistive workers and patient care associates
Which health care team members are included in Surgical Floor/Discharge Team?
Nurse manager, team leader, LPN/LVN, physical therapist (PT), physical therapist assistant (PTA), social worker, patient care tech, dietitian, and housekeeper
Where are majority of NAs employed?
Nursing homes
Surgical Technician
Often works with one group of surgeons and prepares the specialized equipment and sterile instruments according to their preferences
What is the staffing ratio in the ICU?
One nurse for every two patients; or one nurse to one patient
Case Method
One on one relationship with a patient that occurs in intensive care or special care units
Which health care team members are included in Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)?
PACU RN Transport Aide Staff Nurse
Which health care team members are included in Extended Care?
PT, PTA, nursing assistant (NA), occupational therapist (OT), LPN/LVN, day supervisor
How does the PT differ from the PTA?
PTs have at least a 4 years degree, many have a master's degree. PTAs complete a 2 year programs and under a PT's direction
When might verbal communication take place?
Patient rounds, shift reports, telephone conversations, etc.
Linda works in a hospital setting in which they have "decentralized" service departments within the hospital and located them within each patient unit. Each patient area has its own pharmacy, radiology area, and lab area. Workers are crossed-trained and learn specific skills on the unit. This is what type of nursing care?
Patient-centered care
What are the disadvantages of having a large number of people care for a patient?
Poor coordination of service, miscommunication, patient confusion, etc
What is meant by "function interdependently"?
Practical/vocational nurses must function safely and be accountable for their own actions while working under the direction of an RN or physician
What are the advantages of completing a 4-year program?
Prepared to work in supervisory and administrative positions. Also prepared for beginning positions in public health agencies
Summarize patient-centered care as a method of delivering care.
Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions
What was the PACU formerly called?
Recovery Room
What is meant by "act as a patient advocate"?
Represent the patient's viewpoint, ensure that the patient's needs are met, support the patient in informed decision-making
What is the major characteristics of the primary care method?
Responsibility and accountability
Clerk Receptionist
Responsible for secretarial duties. Prepares, compile, and maintain patient records on a nursing unit
Team Nursing
Small teams assigned to care for patients in each group based on the belief that goal can be achieved through group action
Functional Nursing
Task that have to be done for patients are divided among the staff; based on assembly line
On a general nursing unit, who directs an individual patient's care?
The RN assigned to the patient usually coordinates and directs the care
During World War II, patient care was based on tasks. The tasks that had to be done were divided among the staff. This was known as:
The functional method
Who's the coordinator of patient-centered care?
The interdisciplinary health care team partners with patients and families
How does the RN differ from the role of the nurse manager?
The manager is responsible for the overall organization and functioning of the entire unit; focus is not usually on individual patient care
What are the advantages of working in long term care?
The patient acuity level is usually less complicated and intense
What is a key component of team nursing?
The team conference is essential for the coordination of care. Without it, the care delivery becomes more of a functional nursing style.
According to Virginia Henderson, how do you define nursing?
The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge
What is the primary goal of health care and how is it accomplished?
To restore optimal physical, emotional and spiritual health. Achieved by promoting health, preventing further illness and restoring health when illness or accident has occurred.
Who are the nursing staff of the health care team?
Unit managers, RNs, LPN/LVN, student nurses, nursing assistants (NAs), cross-trained staff (UAP)
Nursing Case Management
Use a varying ratio of types of nurses based on patient needs. Focuses on achieving patient outcomes within specified time frame.
How can the health care team member anticipate problems and avoid them?
Using critical-thinking skills
Who is responsible for patient care when a nursing student is assigned to a patient?
While the they work under the supervision of the instructor, the RN is ultimately responsible for the patient's care
How did the shortage of RNs contribute to the use of team nursing?
With the increase of LPN/NAs coming in, one RN was put in charge of a small group to give patient care
When do RNs function in an interdependent role?
carry out legal orders of another health professional and carry out decisions about patient care that are made jointly by members of the health care team
What are some disadvantages of primary nursing?
the cost of providing an RN staff; staffing an entire unit
Why might a patient require a longer stay in the PACU?
unstable vital signs, difficulty waking up, need for ongoing close monitoring or use of special equipment not available on the nursing unit, inadequate staffing in the receiving unit
What is the difference between an anesthetist and an anesthesiologist?
An anesthetist is an RN who has a BSN and has studies an additional 2 to 3 years in anesthesiology. An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor with specialty training in the delivery of anesthesia
What's the LPN/LVN role?
An interdependent role that provides patient care under general supervision of an RN, physician, podiatrist, or dentist
What health team members are included in surgery?
Anesthetist, surgical technician and anesthesiologist
What is the strength of the case management method of delivering nursing services?
It's focus of delivering cost-effective, quality care to patients with complex needs
Which health care team members are included in Intensive Care?
RNs, clerk receptionist, medical records dept, pharmacist, respiratory therapy dept, and transport aide
Unit Managers
Supervise and coordinate management functions for patient units. Responsible for day to day operational issues such as supplies, staffing coordination, etc.
What is the major difference between the role of the practical /vocational nurse and the registered nurse?
The RN has an independent role in decision-making while the LPN role is interdependent
