Nursing Elites

1. Major competencies for the nurse giving end-of-life care include:

• A. demonstrating respect and compassion, and applying knowledge and skills in care of the family and the client.
• B. assessing and intervening to support total management of the family and client.
• C. setting goals, expectations, and dynamic changes to care for the client.
• D. keeping all sad news away from the family and client.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In providing end-of-life care, nurses must possess essential competencies. Demonstrating respect and compassion, along with applying knowledge and skills in caring for both the family and the client, are crucial competencies. These skills help create a supportive and empathetic environment for individuals facing end-of-life situations. Choice B is incorrect because while assessing and intervening are important, they do not encompass the core competencies required for end-of-life care. Choice C is also incorrect; although setting goals and expectations is valuable, the primary focus should be on providing compassionate care. Choice D is incorrect as withholding sad news goes against the principles of honesty and transparency in end-of-life care.

2. The nurse is caring for a client awaiting test results on a biopsy. The client is unconscious, and the physician informs the client's spouse that the biopsy came back positive for cancer. The spouse asks the nurse if they will not share this news with the client because they would prefer the client be unaware of the diagnosis. Which of the following responses is most appropriate?

• A. "I will have a psychiatrist confirm whether the news will cause negative effects, and if so, I will comply with your request."?
• B. "For ethical reasons, I am unable to withhold this information from the client."?
• C. "You do not have the option to sign paperwork stating you are accepting the risk of not sharing this with the client."?
• D. "You must have a durable power of attorney for healthcare advanced directive in place before I can consider this request."?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct response is, "For ethical reasons, I am unable to withhold this information from the client."? The ethical principle of veracity requires that the nurse is truthful with the client and does not withhold information even if it is requested by the family. Choice A is incorrect because seeking a psychiatrist's confirmation is not necessary to uphold the ethical principle of truth-telling. Choice C is incorrect as implying that signing paperwork overrides the nurse's ethical obligation to be honest with the client is inappropriate. Choice D is also incorrect as a durable power of attorney is not relevant in this situation where the spouse is asking the nurse to withhold information.

3. What should be included in the assessment of a client with a cast?

• A. capillary refill, warm toes, no discomfort.
• B. posterior tibial pulses, warm toes.
• C. moist skin essential, pain threshold.
• D. discomfort of the metacarpals.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing a client with a cast, it is crucial to check for capillary refill to ensure adequate circulation. Warm toes indicate good circulation, while the absence of discomfort suggests the cast is not causing any pain or undue pressure on the client. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the essential components of assessing a client with a cast.

4. When a client's postoperative pain seems to be getting worse due to grief over the recent death of their spouse, what should the nurse consider?

• A. calling the physician for an increased dosage of pain medication
• B. calling the physician for a sedative
• C. referring the client for a psychiatric consult
• D. developing interventions for grief and loss

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is developing interventions for grief and loss. In this scenario, the client's pain is not solely sensory but also affective due to grieving over the death of their spouse. It is essential to address the emotional component of pain by providing support and interventions for grief and loss. Referring the client for a psychiatric consult may not be necessary as grieving is a normal response to such a significant loss. Calling the physician for an increased dosage of pain medication or a sedative solely focuses on the sensory aspect of pain and does not address the underlying emotional distress.

5. A nursing assistant who has been employed in the long-term care center for 8 weeks is consistently taking extended lunch breaks. The nursing assistant's behavior has caused problems with client care during lunch hours. What is the appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation?

• A. Ignoring the situation
• B. Documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file
• C. Asking other staff members to cover for the nursing assistant
• D. Meeting with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Taking extended lunch breaks is an unacceptable behavior, especially when it affects client care. The appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation is to meet with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures. This direct approach allows for open communication and the opportunity to address the issue effectively. Ignoring the situation (Choice A), asking other staff members to cover (Choice C), or documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file (Choice B) are not effective solutions. Ignoring the behavior does not address the issue, asking others to cover may not solve the problem at its root, and documenting the problem should come after attempting to resolve the issue through communication and problem-solving first.

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