Chapter 27: Patient Safety
A nurse is teaching a community group of school-aged parents about safety. The most important item to prioritize and explain is how to check the proper fit of a. a bicycle helmet. b. swimming goggles. c. soccer shin guards. d. baseball sliding shorts.
ANS: A Bicycle-related injuries are a major cause of death and disability among children. Proper fit of the helmet helps to decrease head injuries resulting from bicycle accidents. Goggles, shin guards, and sliding shorts are important sports safety equipment and should fit properly, but they do not protect from this leading cause of death.
The patient has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness and complains of shortness of breath. The nurse adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. What is the usual comfort range for most patients? a. 65° F to 75° F b. 60° F to 75° F c. 15° C to 17° C d. 25° C to 28° C
ANS: A The comfort zone for most individuals is the range between 65° F and 75° F (18.3° C to 23.9° C). The other ranges do not reflect the average person's comfort zone.
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient admitted with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Upon completing the health history, which priority concern would require collaboration with social services to address the patient's health care needs? a. The electricity was turned off 2 days ago. b. The water comes from the county water supply. c. A son and family recently moved into the home. d. The home is not furnished with a microwave oven.
ANS: A Electricity is needed for refrigeration of food, and lack of electricity could have contributed to the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—potential food poisoning. This discussion about the patient's electrical needs can be referred to social services. The water supply, the increased number of individuals in the home, and not having a microwave may or may not be concerns but do not pertain to the current health care needs of this patient.
The nurse discussed threats to adult safety with a college group. Which of the following statements would indicate understanding of the topic? a. "Our campus is safe; we leave our dorms unlocked all the time." b. "As long as I have only two drinks, I can still be the designated driver." c. "I am young, so I can work nights and go to school with 2 hours' sleep." d. "I guess smoking even at parties is not good for my body."
ANS: D Lifestyle choices frequently affect adult safety. Smoking conveys great risk for pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. It is prudent to secure belongings. When an individual has been determined to be the designated driver, that individual does not consume alcohol, beer, or wine. Sleep is important no matter the age of the individual and is important for rest and integration of learning. The average young adult needs 6 1/2 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
The nurse is precepting a student nurse and is careful to check with the student all components of the medication process. The nurse explains to the student that most errors occur in a. Ordering and transcribing. b. Dispensing and administering. c. Dispensing and transcribing. d. Ordering and administering
ANS: D Most medication errors occur in the ordering and administering stages of the medication process
The patient is confused, is trying to get out of bed, and is pulling at the intravenous infusion tubing. These data would help to support a nursing diagnosis of a. Risk for poisoning. b. Knowledge deficit. c. Impaired home maintenance. d. Risk for injury.
ANS: D The patient's behaviors support the nursing diagnosis of risk for injury. The patient is confused, is pulling at the intravenous line, and is trying to climb out of bed. Injury could result if the patient falls out of bed or begins to bleed from a pulled line. Nothing in the scenario indicates that this patient lacks knowledge or is at risk for poisoning. Nothing in the scenario refers to the patient's home maintenance
Equipment-related accidents are risks in the health care agency. The nurse assesses for this risk when using a. Sequential compression devices. b. A measuring device that measures urine. c. Computer-based documentation. d. A manual medication-dispensing device
ANS: A Sequential compression devices are used on a patient's extremities to assist in prevention of deep vein thrombosis and have the potential to malfunction and harm the patient. Measuring devices used by the nurse to measure urine, computer documentation, and manual dispensing devices can break or malfunction but are not used directly on a patient
The nurse is teaching a group of older adults at an assisted-living facility about age-related physiological changes. Which question would be the most important to ask this group? a. "Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?" b. "Are you able to read your favorite book?" c. "Are you able to remember the name of the person you just met?" d. "Are you able to open a jar of pickles?"
ANS: A The ability to hear safety alerts and seek shelter is imperative to life safety. Although age-related changes may cause a decrease in sight that affects reading, and although difficulties in remembering short-term information and opening jars as arthritis sets in are important to patients and to those caring for them, being able to hear safety alerts is the priority.
A confused patient is restless and continues to try to remove his oxygen and urinary catheter. What is the priority nursing diagnosis and intervention to implement for this patient? a. Risk for injury: Prevent harm to patient, use restraints if alternatives fail. b. Deficient knowledge: Explain the purpose of oxygen therapy and the urinary catheter. c. Disturbed body image: Encourage patient to express concerns about body. d. Caregiver role strain: Identify resources to assist with care.
ANS: A The priority nursing diagnosis is risk for injury. This patient could cause harm to himself by interrupting the oxygen therapy or by damaging the urethra by pulling the urinary catheter out. Before restraining a patient, it is important to implement and exhaust alternatives to restraint. Alternatives can include distraction and providing companionship or supervision. Patients may be moved to a location closer to the nurses' station; trained sitters or family members may be involved. Nurses need to ensure that patients are provided adequate food, liquid, toileting, and relief from pain. If these and other alternatives fail, this individual may need restraints; in this case, an order would need to be obtained for the restraint. This patient may have deficient knowledge; educating the patient about treatments could be considered as an alternative to restraints; however, the nursing diagnosis of highest priority is risk for injury. This scenario does not indicate that the patient has a disturbed body image or that the patient's caregiver is strained.
The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The nurse explains that the reason for writing in indelible ink on the surgical site the word "correct" is to a. Distinguish the correct surgical site. b. Label the correct patient. c. Comply with the surgeon's preference. d. Adhere to the correct regulatory standard.
ANS: A The purpose of writing on the surgical site as part of the Universal Protocol from the Joint Commission is to distinguish the correct site on the correct patient and match with the correct surgeon for patient safety and prevention of wrong site surgery. All patients who are having an invasive procedure should receive labeling in many different ways, including the record and patient armbands. Writing in indelible ink may comply with the surgeon's preference, but safety is the driving factor. Although labeling of the site helps to meet regulatory standards, this is not the reason to do this activity—the reason is to keep the patient safe.
The nurse is instructing the student nurse regarding discharge teaching and medications. Which response by the student would indicate that learning has occurred? a. "I need to be precise when teaching a patient about Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine)." b. "The medications can be picked up at the pharmacy on the way out of the hospital." c. "I need to be sure to give the patient leftover medications from the medication drawer." d. "I need to remember to teach the patient to take all medications at the same time of the day."
ANS: A Zyprexa and Zyrtec are sound-alike, look-alike medications. Zyprexa is an antipsychotic and Zyrtec an antihistamine; these agents treat two different conditions. Bringing the differences and similarities in spelling and sound to the attention of the patient is important for patient safety. Medications are not distributed by the hospital, and medications do not need to be administered at the same time each day.
A nurse is caring for an adult patient who has had a minor motor vehicle accident. The health history reveals that the patient is currently in the process of obtaining a divorce. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Agree upon and make time for the patient to talk. b. Use active listening skills and therapeutic touch as appropriate. c. Teach stress reduction strategies. d. Inform patient that stressed individuals are more likely to have accidents. e. Agree to witness telephone conversations with separated husband. f. Refer the patient to the nurse's church marriage counselor.
ANS: A, B, C, D Agreeing and making time for conversation, using active listening skills and therapeutic touch, teaching stress reduction strategies, and informing the patient of the risk to health associated with stress are interventions that are within the nurse's scope of practice. Agreeing to witness a telephone conversation could draw the nurse into divorce proceedings when the focus should be on the patient and his health. Referring the patient to the nurse's church counselor without a specific request from the patient may not take into consideration cultural care and could be considered unprofessional. If the patient requested a marriage counselor, a better solution would be to provide a referral to social services that may include a list of possible counselors from which the patient could choose.
The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. The unit has been notified of a fire on an adjacent wing of the hospital. The nurse quickly formulates a plan to keep the patients safe. Which of the following should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.) a. Close all doors. b. Note evacuation routes. c. Note oxygen shut-offs. d. Await direction from the fire department. e. Evacuate everyone from the building. f. Review "Stop, drop, and roll" with the nursing staff
ANS: A, B, C, D Closing all doors helps to contain smoke and fire. Noting the evacuation routes and oxygen shut-offs is important in case the direction to evacuate comes from established channels. Evacuation from the building is determined by the established chain of command or the fire department. Evacuation is done only when necessary. Review of "stop, drop, and roll," although important, is not a priority at this time.
The nurse suspects the possibility of a bioterrorist attack. Which of the following factors is most likely related to this possibility? (Select all that apply.) a. A rapid increase in patients presenting with fever or respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms b. Lower rates of symptoms among patients who spend time primarily indoors c. Large number of rapidly fatal cases of patients with presenting symptoms d. Shortage of personal protective equipment available from central supply e. An increase in the number of staff calling in sick for their assigned shift f. Patients with symptoms all coming from one location in the area
ANS: A, B, C, F A rapid increase in patients presenting with a specific symptom, lower rates of symptoms among individuals indoors, and large numbers of fatalities with these symptoms all coming from one location are triggers that lead the nurse to suspect a bioterrorist attack. A shortage of personal protective equipment and an increase in the number of staff calling in sick can occur and does occur at times in the hospital setting and may have nothing to do with bioterrorism.
The home health nurse is caring for a patient in the home who is using an electrical infusion device. While visiting the patient, the nurse smells smoke and notices an electrical fire started by this device. The nurse uses the fire extinguisher and fights the fire when (Select all that apply.) a. All occupants have left the home. b. Fire department has been called. c. Fire is confined to one room. d. An exit route is available. e. The correct extinguisher is available. f. The nurse thinks she can use the fire extinguisher.
ANS: A, B, D, E In a home setting, if the nurse is present during a fire, she first should remove all occupants and then should call the fire department by dialing 911. If the fire is small—not confined to just one room (this could be too large for the fire extinguisher), if the correct extinguisher is available, and if the nurse knows (not thinks) that she can use it, the nurse may attempt to extinguish the fire. Utilize PASS (Pull the pin, Aim low, Squeeze the handles, Sweep area from side to side) to activate the extinguisher.
The nurse is caring for an older adult who presents to the clinic after a fall. The nurse reviews fall prevention in the home. Which of the following should the patient avoid? (Select all that apply.) a. Watering outdoor plants with a nozzle and hose b. Purchasing light bulbs with strength greater than 60 watts c. Missing yearly eye examinations d. Using bathtubs without safety strips e. Unsecured rugs throughout the home f. Walking to the mailbox in the summer
ANS: A, C, D, E Unsecured rugs, using a hose to water plants, missing yearly eye examinations, and using tubs without safety strips are all items the patient should avoid to help in the prevention of falls in the home. Exercise is beneficial and increases strength, which helps with the prevention of falls. It is important that the home is well lit, so encourage the purchase of bulbs with strength of 60 watts or higher for the home.
The nurse identifies that a patient has received Mylanta (simethicone) instead of the prescribed Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) for the problem of indigestion. The nurse's next intervention is to a. Do nothing, no harm has occurred. b. Assess and monitor the patient. c. Notify the physician, treat and document. d. Complete an incident report.
ANS: B After providing an incorrect medication, assessing and monitoring the patient to determine the effects of the medication is the first step. Notifying the physician and providing treatment would be the best next step. After the patient has stabilized, completing an incident report would be the last step in the process.
A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department. The nurse obtains the following vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 100/56, apical pulse 56, respiratory rate 12. Which of the vital signs should be addressed immediately? a. Respiratory rate b. Temperature c. Apical pulse d. Blood pressure
ANS: B Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of 95° F or below. Homeless individuals are more at risk for hypothermia owing to exposure to the elements.
The nurse has been called to a hospital room where a patient is using a hair dryer from home. The patient has received an electrical shock from the dryer. The patient is unconscious and is not breathing. What is the best next step? a. Ask the family to leave the room. b. Check for a pulse. c. Begin compressions. d. Defibrillate the patient.
ANS: B In this scenario, the patient is in a hospital setting, and it has been determined that the patient is not conscious and is not breathing. The next step is to check the pulse. An electrical shock can interfere with the heart's normal electrical impulses and can cause arrhythmias. Checking the pulse helps to determine the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.
The patient presents to the clinic with a family member. The family member states that the patient has been wandering around the house and mumbling. What is the first assessment the nurse should do? a. Ask the patient why she has been wandering around the house. b. Introduce self and ask the patient her name. c. Take the patient's blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate. d. Immediately do a complete head-to-toe neurologic assessment.
ANS: B Introduce self and engage the patient by asking her name to assess orientation; ask the patient why she is visiting the clinic today. Continue the assessment with vital signs and a complete workup, including a neurologic assessment.
An elderly patient presents to the hospital with a history of falls, confusion, and stroke. The nurse determines that the patient is at high risk for falls. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for the nurse to take? a. Place the patient in restraints. b. Lock beds and wheelchairs when transferring. c. Place a bath mat outside the tub. d. Silence fall alert alarm upon request of family
ANS: B Locking the bed and wheelchairs when transferring will help to prevent these pieces of equipment from moving during transfer and will assist in the prevention of falls. Patients are not automatically placed in restraints. The restraint process consists of many steps, including thorough assessment and exhausting of alternatives. All mats and rugs should be secured to help prevent falls. Silencing alarms upon the request of family is not appropriate and could contribute to an unsafe environment.
A patient with an intravenous infusion requests a new gown after bathing. Which of the following actions is most appropriate? a. Disconnect the intravenous tubing, thread the end through the sleeve of the old gown and through the sleeve of the new gown, and reconnect. b. Thread the intravenous bag and tubing through the sleeve of the old gown and through the sleeve of the new gown without disconnecting. c. Inform the patient that a new gown is not an option while receiving an intravenous infusion in the hospital. d. Call the charge nurse for assistance because linen use is monitored and this is not a common procedure.
ANS: B Procedure-related accidents such as contamination of sterile items can occur in the health care setting. Keeping the intravenous tubing intact without breaks in the system is imperative to decrease the risk of infection while changing a patient's gown and satisfying the patient's request.
The nurse has placed a patient on high-risk alert for falls. Which of the following observations by the nurse would indicate that the patient has an understanding of this alert? a. The patient removes the high alert armband to bathe. b. The patient wears the red nonslip footwear. c. The call light is kept on the bedside table. d. The patient insists on taking a "water" pill on home schedule in the evening.
ANS: B Red nonslip footwear helps to grip the floor and decreases the chance of falling. The communication armband should stay in place and should not be removed, so that all members of the interdisciplinary team have the information about the high risk for falls. Call lights should be kept within reach of the patient. Taking diuretics early in the day assists with decreasing the number of bathroom trips at night—the time when falls are most frequent
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient. Which of the following behaviors alerts the nurse to consider the need for restraint? a. The patient refuses to call for help to go to the bathroom. b. The patient continues to remove the nasogastric tube. c. The patient gets confused regarding the time at night. d. The patient does not sleep and continues to ask for items.
ANS: B Restraints are utilized only when alternatives have been exhausted, the patient continues a behavior that can be harmful to himself or others, and the restraint is clinically justified. In this circumstance, continuing to remove a needed nasogastric tube would meet these criteria. Refusing to call for help, although unsafe, is not a reason for restraint. Getting confused at night regarding the time or not sleeping and bothering the staff to ask for items is not a reason for restraint.
The patient applies sequential compression devices after going to the bathroom. The nurse checks the patient's application of the devices and finds that they have been put on upside down. Which of the following nursing diagnoses will the nurse add to the patient's plan of care? a. Risk for poisoning b. Deficient knowledge c. Risk for imbalanced body temperature d. Risk for suffocation
ANS: B The patient needs to understand the purpose of the compression devices and that proper application is needed for them to be effective. The patient has a knowledge need and requires instruction regarding the device and its purpose and procedure. The nurse will intervene by teaching the patient about the sequential compression device and instructing the patient to call for assistance when getting up to go to the bathroom in the future, so that the nurse may assist with removal and proper reapplication. No data support a risk for poisoning, imbalanced body temperature, or suffocation.
The nurse is completing an admission history on a new home health patient. The patient has been experiencing seizures as the result of a recent brain injury. The nurse diagnoses risk for injury with a goal of keeping the patient safe in the event of a seizure. Which interventions should the nurse utilize for this patient? (Select all that apply.) a. Teach the family how to insert an oral airway during the seizure. b. Assess the home for items that could harm the patient during a seizure. c. Provide information on how to obtain a Medical Alert bracelet. d. Teach the patient to communicate to the caregiver plans for bathing. e. Discuss with family steps to take if the seizure does not discontinue. f. Demonstrate how to restrain the patient in the event of a seizure.
ANS: B, C, D, E Assessment of the home for safety, providing information on Medical Alert bracelets, teaching the patient to communicate before bathing, and discussing steps to take with status epilepticus are important interventions for the patient who is having seizures. Inserting an airway may harm the patient by forcing the object into the mouth or by biting down on a hard object. Never restrain a patient who is having a seizure, but protect the patient from hitting his body on objects around him to prevent traumatic injury
The nurse is caring for a patient in restraints. Which of the following pieces of information about restraints requires nursing documentation in the medical record? (Select all that apply.) a. The patient states that her gown is soiled and needs changing. b. Attempts to distract the patient with television are unsuccessful. c. The patient has been placed in bilateral wrist restraints at 0815. d. One family member has gone to lunch. e. Bilateral radial pulses present, 2+, hands warm to touch f. Released from restraints, active range-of-motion exercises complete
ANS: B, C, E, F Attempts at alternatives are documented in the medical record, as are type of restraint and time restrained. Assessments related to oxygenation, orientation, skin integrity, circulation, and position are documented, along with release from restraints and patient response. Comments about hygiene or the activities of one family member are not necessarily required in nursing documentation of restraints.
Which of the following concepts are important to utilize when evaluating orders for restraints (Select all that apply.) a. Behaviors that necessitate the use of restraint are part of the nursing plan of care. b. A physician's order is required for restraint and includes a face-to-face evaluation. c. The physician's preference for the format of the order can override agency policy. d. Orders are time limited. Restraints are not ordered prn (as needed). e. It should be specified that restraints are to be removed periodically. f. Restraint orders are time dated and signed by the physician
ANS: B, D, E, F Physicians are responsible for writing restraint orders and conducting face-to-face evaluations, as well as for putting time limits, specifying when to remove, and time dating and signing orders. Behaviors that necessitate the use of restraint not only are part of the nursing documentation but are to be included as part of the order for restraint. The physician's formatting is not a consideration for evaluating restraint orders. Formatting of restraint orders typically follows state rules and regulations, as well as regulatory agency standards.
During the admission assessment, the nurse assesses the patient for fall risk. Which of the following has the greatest potential to increase the patient's risk for falls? a. The patient is 59 years of age. b. The patient walks 2 miles a day. c. The patient takes Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for allergies. d. The patient recently became widowed
ANS: C Benadryl (diphenhydramine) has the potential to cause drowsiness and dizziness as a side effect, thereby increasing the risk for falls. Over 60 is the age typically found on fall assessments that increase the risk for falls. Walking has many benefits, including increasing strength, which would be beneficial in decreasing risk.
The emergency department has been notified of a potential bioterrorist attack. The nurse assigned to the department realizes that the most important task for safety in this situation is to a. Carry out the role and responsibilities of the nurse quickly and efficiently. b. Cluster all patients with the same symptoms to a specific part of the department. c. Determine the biologic agent and manage all patients using Standard Precautions. d. Prepare for post-traumatic stress associated with this bioterrorist attack
ANS: C It is essential to determine the agent and manage all patients who are symptomatic with the suspected or confirmed bioterrorism-related illness using Standard Precautions. For certain diseases, additional precautions may be necessary. Clustering patients may be helpful with staffing and, depending on the illness, may decrease the spread. All nurses every day should carry out their roles quickly and efficiently. Psychosocial concerns are important but are not the first priority at this moment.
The nurse preceptor recognizes the new nurse's ability to determine patient safety risks when which behavior is observed? a. Checking patient identification once every shift b. Multitasking by gathering two patients' medications c. Disposing of used needles in a red needle container d. Raising all four side rails per family request
ANS: C Needles, syringes, and other single-use injection devices should be used once and disposed of in safety red needle containers that will be disposed of properly. Patient identification should be checked multiple times a day, including before each medication, treatment, procedure, blood administration, and transfer, and at the beginning of each shift. Gathering more than one patient's medication increases the likelihood of error. Raising all four side rails is considered a restraint and requires special orders, assessment, and monitoring of the patient
The nurse enters the patient's room and notices a small fire in the headlight above the patient's bed. Immediately, the nurse assigns a nursing diagnosis of risk for injury with a goal for the patient to be safe. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Activate the alarm. b. Extinguish the fire. c. Remove the patient. d. Confine the fire.
ANS: C Nurses use the mnemonic RACE to set priorities in case of fire. All of these interventions are necessary, but this patient is in immediate danger with the fire being over his head and should be rescued and removed from the situation.
The nurse is discussing with a patient's physician the need for restraint. The nurse indicates that alternatives have been utilized. What behaviors would indicate that the alternatives are working? a. The patient continues to get up from the chair at the nurses' station. b. The patient apologizes for being "such a bother." c. The patient folds three washcloths over and over. d. The sitter leaves the patient alone to go to lunch.
ANS: C Offering diversionary activities such as something to hold is a way to keep the hands busy and provides an alternative to restraints. Assigning a room near the nurses' station or a chair at the desk can be an alternative for continuous monitoring. Getting up constantly can be cause for concern. Apologizing is not an alternative to restraints. Having a sitter sit with the patient to keep him occupied can be an alternative to restraints, but the sitter needs to be continuous.
The nurse is presenting an educational session on safety for parents of adolescents. The nurse should include which of the following teaching points? a. Adolescents need unsupervised time with friends two to three times a week. b. Parents and friends should teach adolescents how to drive. c. Adolescents need information about the effects of beer on the liver. d. Adolescents need to be reminded to use seatbelts on long trips
ANS: C Providing information about drugs and alcohol is important because adolescents may choose to participate in risk-taking behaviors. Adolescents need to socialize but need supervision. Parents can encourage and support learning processes associated with driving, but organized classes can help to decrease motor vehicle accidents. Seatbelts should be used all the time.
The nurse knows that four categories of risk have been identified in the health care environment. Which of the following provides the best examples of those risks? a. Tile floors, cold food, scratchy linen, and noisy alarms b. Carpeted floors, ice machine empty, unlocked supply cabinet, and call light in reach c. Wet floors, pinching fingers in door, failure to use lift for patient, and alarms not functioning properly d. Dirty floors, hallways blocked, medication room locked, and alarms set
ANS: C The four categories are falls, patient-inherent accidents, procedure-related accidents, and equipment-related accidents. Wet floors contribute to falls, pinching finger in door is patient inherent, failure to use the lift is procedure related, and an alarm not functioning properly is equipment related. Tile floors and carpeted or dirty floors do not necessarily contribute to falls. Cold food, ice machine empty, and hallways blocked are not patient-inherent issues in the hospital setting but are more of patient satisfaction or infection control issues or fire safety issues. Scratchy linen, unlocked supply cabinet, and medication room locked are not procedure-related accidents. These are patient satisfaction issues and control of supply issues, and are examples of actually following a procedure correctly. Noisy alarms, call light within reach, and alarms set are not equipment-related accidents but are patient satisfaction issues and examples of following a procedure correctly.
A nurse is in the hallway assisting a patient to ambulate and hears an alarm sound. What is the best next step for the nurse to take? a. Seek out the source of the alarm. b. Wait to see if the alarm discontinues. c. Ask another nurse to check on the alarm. d. Continue ambulating the patient
ANS: C The nurse who heard the alarm has a duty to address it even though she is busy with another patient. Ask someone to check on the alarm. The nurse cannot leave the patient in the hallway to look for the source of the alarm and cause a potentially unsafe situation for this patient, but a patient on the unit may have an urgent need. Someone needs to seek out the source of the alarm and address it. Never ignore an alarm. Alarms are in place to maximize the safety of the patient. Waiting to see if an alarm stops may cause a delay in a possible emergency situation
The nurse is completing discharge education for the patient regarding home medications. Which patient behavior is an indication that the patient understands the directions regarding the antibiotic medication? a. The patient nods throughout the educational session. b. The patient reads the medication prescription out loud. c. The patient states, "I will finish the antibiotic in ten days." d. The patient asks where to get the prescription filled.
ANS: C The patient stating the time frame for when the medication will be complete is the best answer. Nodding, reading the prescription out loud, or knowing where to get the prescription filled does not indicate understanding regarding directions for taking the antibiotic.
The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes confused and tries to remove an intravenous infusion. The nurse begins to develop a plan to care for the patient. Which nursing intervention should take priority? a. Gather restraint supplies. b. Try alternatives to restraint. c. Assess the patient. d. Call the physician for a restraint order
ANS: C When a patient becomes suddenly confused, the priority is to assess the patient, including checking laboratory test and oxygen status and treating and eliminating the cause of the change in mental status. If interventions and alternatives are exhausted, the nurse working with the physician may determine the need for restraints.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a urinary catheter. After the nurse empties the collection bag and disposes of the urine, the next step is to a. Use alcohol-based gel on hands. b. Wash hands with soap and water. c. Remove eye protection and dispose of in garbage. d. Remove gloves and dispose of in garbage.
ANS: D After disposing of the urine, the first step in removing personal protective equipment is removing gloves and disposing of them properly. In this scenario, the next step would be to remove eye protection followed by hand hygiene. Wash hands if the hands are visibly soiled; otherwise the use of alcohol-based gel is indicated for routine decontamination of hands.
A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which of the following comments by the patient would indicate a need for further education? a. "I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week." b. "Daylight savings is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector." c. "If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected." d. "When it is cold outside in the winter, I can warm my car up in the garage."
ANS: D Allowing a car to run in the garage introduces carbon monoxide into the environment and decreases the available oxygen for human consumption. Garages should be opened and not just cracked to allow fresh air into the space and allay this concern. Checking the chimney and heater, changing the batteries on the detector, and following up on symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue are all statements that would indicate that the individual has understood the education.
The nurse knows that children in late infancy and toddlerhood are at risk for injury owing to a. Learning to walk. b. Trying to pull up on furniture. c. Being dropped by a caregiver. d. Growing ability to explore and oral activity.
ANS: D Injury is a leading cause of death in children over age 1, which is closely related to normal growth and development because of the child's increased oral activity and growing ability to explore the environment.
A patient has been admitted and placed on fall precautions. The nurse explains to the patient that interventions for the precautions include a. Encouraging visitors in the early evening. b. Placing all four side rails in the "up" position. c. Checking on the patient once a shift. d. Placing a high risk for falls armband on the patient.
ANS: D Placing a high risk for falls armband on the patient encourages communication among the whole interdisciplinary team. Anyone who interacts with the patient should see this armband, understand its meaning, and assist the patient as necessary. The timing of visitors would not affect falls. All four side rails are considered a restraint and can contribute to falling. Individuals on high risk for fall alerts should be checked frequently, at least every hour
The nurse is providing information regarding safety and accidental poisoning to a grandmother who will be taking custody of a 1-year-old grandchild. Which of the following comments would indicate that the grandmother needs further instruction? a. "The number for poison control is 800-222-1222." b. "Never induce vomiting if my grandchild drinks bleach." c. "I should call 911 if my grandchild loses consciousness." d. "If my grandchild eats a plant, I should provide syrup of ipecac."
ANS: D Syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting after ingestion of a poison has not been proven effective in preventing poisoning. This medication should not be administered to the child. The poison control number is 800-222-1222. After a caustic substance such as bleach has been drunk, do not induce vomiting. This can cause further burning and injury as the medication is eliminated. Loss of consciousness associated with poisoning requires calling 911.
The older patient presents to the emergency department after stepping in front of a car at a crosswalk. After the patient has been triaged, the nurse interviews the patient. Which of the following comments would require follow-up by the nurse? a. "I try to exercise, so I walk that block almost every day." b. "I waited and stepped out when the traffic sign said go." c. "The car was going too fast, the speed limit is 20." d. "I was so surprised; I didn't see or hear the car coming."
ANS: D The patient did not see or hear the car coming. As patients age, sensory impairment can increase the risk for injury. This statement by the patient would require follow-up by the nurse. The patient needs hearing and eye examinations. Exercise is important at every stage of development. The patient seemed to comprehend how to cross an intersection correctly and was able to determine the speed of the car.
