Nursing Elites

1. While working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at the long-term care unit, the nurse gathers the nursing staff to listen to the 3 to 11 p.m. intershift report. The nurse notes that a staff member has an odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait, suspecting alcohol intoxication. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• A. Contact the nursing supervisor.
• B. Tell the staff member that she is not allowed to administer medications.
• C. Ask the staff member how much alcohol she has consumed.
• D. Ask the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge until the effects of the alcohol wear off.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a staff member reports to work showing signs of alcohol intoxication, the nurse should objectively note the symptoms and ask a second person to confirm these observations. It is crucial to contact the nursing supervisor immediately. An odor of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and errors in judgment are indicators of intoxication, posing a risk to client safety. The staff member should be removed from the client care area. Detailed documentation of the incident is essential, including observations, actions taken, future plans, and the staff member's signature and date on the recorded incident memo. If the staff member refuses to sign, this should be noted by the nurse and a witness. Asking the staff member to rest in the nurses' lounge or restricting medication administration does not ensure client safety, as the staff member could still jeopardize it. Inquiring about the amount of alcohol consumed is confrontational and not relevant to the immediate need of ensuring safety.

2. The nurse is teaching a client about communicable diseases and explains that a portal of entry is:

• A. a vector.
• B. a source, like contaminated water.
• C. food.
• D. the respiratory system.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'the respiratory system.' A portal of entry is the path through which a microorganism enters the body. In the case of communicable diseases, the respiratory system can serve as a portal of entry for pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. A 'vector' is an organism that transmits disease, not the entry point for pathogens. Contaminated water or food can act as sources or reservoirs of disease-causing microorganisms, not portals of entry.

3. When a physician removes a chest tube, which type of dressing is recommended to be placed over the site?

• A. transparent dressing
• B. colloidal dressing
• C. petrolatum gauze
• D. nonadherent dressing

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Petrolatum gauze is recommended to be placed over the site when a physician removes a chest tube because it forms an airtight seal, helping prevent air from entering the pleural space. This airtight seal is crucial to avoid complications such as a pneumothorax. Transparent dressing is not ideal for this purpose as it may not provide a sufficient seal due to its design. Colloidal dressing and nonadherent dressing are also not suitable for chest tube removal sites as they do not offer the same level of protection against air leakage and may not provide the necessary sealing properties.

4. The advanced directive in a client's chart is dated August 12, 1998. The client's daughter produces a Power of Attorney for Health Care, dated 2003, which contains different care directions. What should the nurse do?

• A. Follow the 1998 version because it's part of the legal chart.
• B. Follow the 1998 version because the physician's code order is based on it.
• C. Follow the 2003 version, place it in the chart, and communicate the update appropriately.
• D. Follow neither until clarified by the unit manager.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The document dated 2003 supersedes the previous version and should be used as a basis for care directions. The nurse should follow the 2003 version, place it in the chart, and communicate the update appropriately to ensure that the most current care directions are followed. Choices A and B are incorrect because the 1998 version is now outdated, and the nurse should not rely on it for care decisions. Choice D is incorrect because the nurse should not delay following the updated document, and seeking clarification from the unit manager can lead to avoidable delays in care.

5. In a disaster situation, the nurse assessing a diabetic client on insulin assesses for all of the following except:

• A. diabetic signs and symptoms.
• B. nutritional status.
• C. bleeding problems.
• D. availability of insulin.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a disaster situation, when assessing a diabetic client on insulin, the nurse should assess for diabetic signs and symptoms to monitor the client's condition, nutritional status to ensure proper dietary management, and availability of insulin to maintain the client's medication regimen. Bleeding problems are not directly related to diabetes or insulin use, making it the exception in this assessment scenario. Therefore, bleeding problems would not be a typical focus of assessment in this context.

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