Nursing Elites

1. A nurse stops at a motor vehicle collision site to render aid until the emergency personnel arrive and applies pressure to a groin wound that is bleeding profusely. Later the client has to have the leg amputated and sues the nurse for malpractice. Which is the most likely outcome of this lawsuit?

• A. The Patient's Bill of Rights protects clients from malicious intents, so the nurse could lose the case.
• B. The lawsuit may be settled out of court, but the nurse's license is likely to be revoked.
• C. There will be no judgment against the nurse, whose actions were protected under the Good Samaritan Act.
• D. The client will win because the four elements of negligence (duty, breach, causation, and damages) can be proved.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The Good Samaritan Act protects healthcare professionals who provide care in good faith from malpractice claims, regardless of the client outcome. In this scenario, the nurse stopped at the scene voluntarily to render aid, which is protected under the Good Samaritan Act. This law shields individuals from legal liability when providing emergency care in good faith and without expectation of compensation. The Patient's Bill of Rights does protect clients, but in this case, the nurse's actions were protected by the Good Samaritan Act. Additionally, the state Board of Nursing would not likely revoke the nurse's license unless there was evidence of actions taken in bad faith or unreasonable care. The client would not win the lawsuit as the essential elements of malpractice, including duty, breach, causation, and damages, were not met in this situation.

2. During the first meeting of a therapy group, members exhibit frequent periods of silence, tense laughter, and nervous movements. Which conclusion would the nurse make?

• A. The group requires an active leader who will intervene to relieve signs of obvious stress.
• B. The group process is unhealthy and there is unwillingness to openly relate.
• C. The members are displaying expected behaviors because relationships are not yet established.
• D. The behaviors should be immediately addressed so members will not become too uncomfortable.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During the initial stages of a therapy group, it is common for members to exhibit behaviors such as silence, tense laughter, and nervous movements. These behaviors indicate anxiety and insecurity due to the lack of established relationships and trust among the group members. This is a normal part of group development, and it does not necessarily mean that the group process is unhealthy. Intervening or addressing these behaviors immediately is not required as they are expected in the early stages of group interaction. As the group progresses and relationships are built, these behaviors are likely to diminish naturally without the need for active leader intervention. Therefore, the correct conclusion is that the members are displaying expected behaviors because relationships are not yet established. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because active leader intervention is not necessary, the group process is not unhealthy, and addressing the behaviors immediately is not required as they are part of the early group dynamics and are expected to subside as relationships develop.

3. A client says, 'I hear a man speaking from the corner of the room. Do you hear him, too?' Which response is best?

• A. What is he saying to you? Does it make any sense?
• B. Yes, I hear him. What do you think he is saying?
• C. No one is in the corner of the room. Can't you see that?
• D. No, I don't hear him, but that must be upsetting for you.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The best response is D: 'No, I don't hear him, but that must be upsetting for you.' This response acknowledges the client's experience without validating the hallucination. The nurse expresses empathy by acknowledging the client's feelings ('that must be upsetting for you'), showing understanding and support. Choice A focuses on the content of the hallucination, which may inadvertently reinforce the delusion. Choice B validates the hallucination by agreeing that the nurse also hears the man. Choice C denies the client's experience and can lead to further distress by invalidating their perception.

4. How is the secondary use of data from the 2000 census classification system utilized to address disparities in mental health care along racial-ethnic lines?

• A. To provide culturally relevant care to the required ethnic group
• B. To identify all racial and ethnic groups in the United States
• C. To identify why there are disparities in the United States
• D. To determine when and how the health care needs of the ethnic populations are being met

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The census classification system categorizes individuals based on racial and ethnic descriptions. Utilizing this data helps in identifying health disparities and assessing how the health care needs of ethnic populations are being addressed. Option A is incorrect because the primary focus is on analyzing healthcare needs met, not providing care. Option B is incorrect as the census does not encompass every single racial and ethnic group in the United States. Option C is incorrect as the census is not designed to investigate the reasons behind disparities, but rather to quantify and analyze them.

5. The nurse assesses a 2-year-old who is admitted for dehydration and finds that the peripheral IV rate by gravity has slowed, even though the venous access site is healthy. What should the nurse do next?

• A. Apply a warm compress proximal to the site.
• B. Check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole.
• C. Adjust the tape that stabilizes the needle.
• D. Change the IV solution bag.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse assesses a slowed IV rate by gravity with a healthy venous access site in a 2-year-old admitted for dehydration, the next step would be to check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole. This action ensures that the IV fluid can flow freely and reach the patient at the correct rate. Applying a warm compress proximal to the site (Choice A) is not indicated in this situation as it does not address the underlying issue of a slowed IV rate due to mechanical factors. Adjusting the tape that stabilizes the needle (Choice C) or changing the IV solution bag (Choice D) are not the priority actions in this case. These choices do not address the issue of a slowed IV rate caused by kinks in the tubing or the height of the IV pole, which are more likely reasons for the problem observed.

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