Nursing Elites

1. When preparing an in-service on malpractice issues in nursing, which of the following examples should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Leaving a nasogastric tube clamped after administering oral medication
• B. Documenting communication with a provider in the progress notes of the client's medical record
• C. Administering potassium via IV bolus
• D. Placing a yellow bracelet on a client who is at risk for falls

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering potassium via IV bolus is a high-risk procedure that requires careful attention and adherence to established protocols to prevent serious complications like cardiac arrest. Errors in administering IV medications, especially potent ones like potassium, can lead to severe harm to the patient and potential legal consequences for the healthcare provider. Therefore, including this example in the in-service on malpractice issues helps emphasize the importance of safe medication administration practices and the potential implications of errors.

2. A male patient who had surgery 2 days ago for head and neck cancer is about to make his first attempt to ambulate outside his room. The nurse notes that he is steady on his feet and that his vision was unaffected by the surgery. Which of the following nursing interventions would be appropriate?

• A. Encourage the patient to walk in the hall alone
• B. Discourage the patient from walking in the hall for a few more days
• C. Accompany the patient for his walk
• D. Consult a physical therapist before allowing the patient to ambulate

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Accompanying the patient for his walk is the appropriate nursing intervention in this scenario to ensure his safety during his first ambulation. This allows the nurse to provide immediate assistance if needed and ensures the patient's well-being during this critical postoperative period.

3. A healthcare provider reaches to answer the telephone on a busy pediatric unit, momentarily turning away from a 3-month-old infant she has been weighing. The infant falls off the scale, suffering a skull fracture. The healthcare provider could be charged with:

• A. Defamation
• B. Assault
• C. Battery
• D. Malpractice

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The scenario described involves a breach of duty by the healthcare provider to properly supervise the infant, resulting in harm. This failure to meet the standard of care falls under the category of malpractice, which refers to professional negligence or misconduct. Malpractice specifically applies to situations where a healthcare provider's actions or omissions deviate from the accepted standard of care, causing harm to a patient. In this case, the nurse's lack of supervision leading to the infant falling off the scale and sustaining a skull fracture would be considered malpractice.

4. If a patient's blood pressure is 150/96, what is his pulse pressure?

• A. 54
• B. 96
• C. 150
• D. 246

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure. In this case, the systolic pressure is 150 and the diastolic pressure is 96. Therefore, the pulse pressure is 150 - 96 = 54. Pulse pressure represents the force generated by the heart with each contraction and is an important indicator of cardiovascular health.

5. During the assessment of a client receiving packed RBCs, which finding indicates fluid overload?

• A. Low back pain.
• B. Dyspnea.
• C. Hypotension.
• D. Thready pulse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Dyspnea is a key finding indicating fluid overload in a client receiving packed RBCs. Fluid overload can lead to pulmonary edema, causing difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea). Low back pain is not typically associated with fluid overload but can be more related to musculoskeletal issues. Hypotension and thready pulse are more indicative of hypovolemia (low fluid volume), not fluid overload.

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