Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is providing care for an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation not 'get out there.' How can the nurse best respond to the client's concerns?

• A. Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.
• B. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ensures that your medical records will not leave this hospital.
• C. Provided you signed a directive on admission, your records will not be made public.
• D. The law protects your right to confidentiality and protects your health information from being released into unintended hands.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects individuals' right to confidentiality and safeguards health information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Assuring the client that the law protects their right to confidentiality and prevents their health information from being released into unintended hands is the best response. Choice A is too broad and may not cover all aspects of confidentiality. Choice B only mentions medical records staying within the hospital, which does not address the client's concern about written documentation. Choice C incorrectly implies that a signed directive is needed for confidentiality, which is not true under HIPAA regulations.

2. A nurse cares for an Asian American client with a fractured femur. During shift report, which statement by the nurse will another nurse challenge?

• A. The client has requested to wait to receive pain medication.
• B. The client does not want family to visit the room.
• C. The client is a recent immigrant to this country.
• D. The client is stoic and will not complain at all.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Stereotyping the client as stoic and unlikely to complain about pain is incorrect and can lead to inadequate pain management. It is essential for the nurse to assess and address the client's pain regardless of cultural background. Choices A, B, and C are not as critical as they respect the client's autonomy, cultural preferences regarding family visits, and provide relevant background information about the client's immigrant status.

3. When in doubt about using restraints on an agitated patient, it is prudent for nurses to:

• A. Restrain the patient for their own safety
• B. Use minor restraints such as a bed side rail or a tray on a wheelchair
• C. Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision
• D. Avoid using any device or procedure to limit liability

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision.' The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) established strict standards on restraint use in long-term care facilities. Restraints can be considered a form of false imprisonment and neglect, leading to potential litigation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid restraints whenever possible. A bed alarm coupled with enhanced staff supervision provides an effective and non-restrictive approach for managing an agitated patient. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because restraining the patient, using minor restraints, or avoiding all devices without providing an alternative can pose risks to patient safety, violate regulations, or increase liability concerns.

4. Mr. K has dementia. Having a good deal of money, he has a private room at Haven Nursing Home. He is a retired industrialist whose children and current wife are already squabbling bitterly over his estate. During visits, they often get into shouting matches that disturb the other residents and Mr. K himself. How should an administrator handle this family?

• A. Emphasize that they must behave civilly when visiting
• B. Have them set up separate visiting schedules
• C. Ask them to stay away
• D. Close Mr. K's door when they visit

Correct answer: B

Rationale: There is little an administrator can do about this dysfunctional family's behavior, but Mr. K should not be upset by it, and the other residents deserve to be protected from shouting. By setting up separate visiting schedules, the family can continue to provide needed support for their husband and father. If they accidentally visit at the same time, the door can be kept closed until they leave.

5. A 52-year-old woman is preparing to have her father move into her home after his discharge from the hospital. Which of the following subjects should the discharge planning nurse prioritize when preparing the woman for her new caregiving role?

• A. The availability and scope of community resources
• B. The importance of her own self-care and techniques for maximizing it
• C. Assertiveness training to ensure she can set limits
• D. Management of finances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. It is crucial for the discharge planning nurse to prioritize the importance of the woman's self-care and provide techniques for maximizing it. When taking on a caregiving role, the caregiver's well-being is essential to ensure effective care for the patient. While community resources (choice A) are important, the immediate focus should be on self-care. Assertiveness training (choice C) and financial management (choice D) are also significant but not as critical as self-care for the caregiver in this scenario.

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