chapter 26- Safety , Emergency preparedness
Which of the following topics should a public health nurse emphasize when educating older adults on reducing their risk of poisoning?
Medication overdoses are among the more common sources of poisoning in older adults, a phenomenon that can be reduced by ensuring that medications are in clearly labeled containers to avoid administration errors. Cleaning supplies and lead are more significant sources of poisoning in infants and children. Alternative and complementary therapies carry risks, but it would be unnecessary to recommend complete avoidance of all such therapies.
A nurse is preparing to file a safety event report after a client experienced a fall. The nurse is aware that which statement below is correct regarding the filing of a safety event report?
The nurse completes the safety event report immediately after an accident and is responsible for recording the incident and its effect on the client in the medical record. The safety event report is not a part of the medical record and should not be mentioned in the documentation.
A nurse is educating the family caregiver of an older adult client about measures to promote client safety in the home. Which of the following would be most appropriate to include?
The nurse should ask the caregiver to clear the clutter from the stairways and walkways to prevent potential falls. Medications should not be kept within the older adult client's reach; older adults can ingest an overdose of medication because of cognitive impairment or difficulty reading the label. Immunization against whooping cough is mandatory in childhood, but such immunization is not needed for the older adult client. The nurse should encourage the older adult to use a nightlight in the bedroom, as this could help the client to find his way should he need to get out of bed.
An administrative assistant of a large factory visits the medical unit and tells the nurse she is having pain in the right wrist, numbness in the index finger, and decreased mobility of the right hand. The nurse suspects the client has what?
Adults with jobs that require repetitive movement (typists, assembly line workers, supermarket checkers, computer operators) may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, a compression of the median nerve that causes pain and decreases hand mobility. A fracture would most likely be accompanied by symptoms including pain, swelling, and an inability to use the extremity. A herniated cervical disk would likely be accompanied by symptoms involving numbness and discomfort of the neck and arms. There are no manifestations consistent with an infection in the bone.
During a course on terrorism, a group of emergency room nurses learns about terrorists who use bombs or other explosives to inflict injury on numerous people and cause multiple fatalities. This is an example of what type of terrorism?
Mass trauma terrorism is caused by bombs and other explosives that are used to inflict mass trauma and cause multiple fatalities. Bioterrorism involves the deliberate spread of pathogenic organisms into the community. Chemical terrorism involves the deliberate release of a chemical compound for the purpose of causing mass destruction. Nuclear terrorism involves the dispersal of radioactive materials into the environment for the purpose of causing injury and death.
What generalization can be made about safety in client care?
Safety and security are basic human needs. Safety, or freedom from danger, harm, or risk, is a paramount concern that underlies all nursing care, and client safety is a responsibility of all health care providers.
A nurse smells smoke and subsequently discovers a fire in a garbage can in a common area on the hospital unit. What is the nurse's priority action in this situation?
The acronym "RACE" can be used as a guide to the immediate response to fire. This involves Rescuing anyone in immediate danger; Activating the fire code system and notifying the appropriate person; Confining the fire by closing doors and windows; Evacuating clients and other people to a safe area. Extinguishing the fire is not part of the immediate response.
A nurse finds that a fire has broken out in a client's room at the health care facility. Which of the following interventions is of the highest priority?
The first priority in case of fire is to rescue the client. As per the RACE principle of fire management, the rescue of the client is the first step, followed by raising an alarm, confining the fire, and finally, extinguishing the fire.
A nurse is providing instructions to the mother of a toddler regarding the prevention of burn injuries in the toddler. Which of the following instructions is of the highest priority to provide to the mother?
c) Keep coffee cups on the counter above the child's reach.
