Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. If a patient asks the nurse for her opinion about a particular physician and the nurse replies that the physician is incompetent, the nurse could be held liable for:

• A. Slander
• B. Libel
• C. Assault
• D. Respondent superior

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, if the nurse makes a false verbal statement about the physician being incompetent, it is considered slander. Slander is the act of making defamatory spoken statements or gestures. Libel, on the other hand, refers to defamatory statements that are written or published. Assault involves the threat of physical harm, and respondent superior is a legal doctrine holding an employer responsible for the actions of an employee in the course of employment.

3. Which of the following actions should be taken to use a wide base support when assisting a client to get up in a chair?

• A. Bend at the waist and place arms under the client’s arms and lift
• B. Face the client, bend knees, and place hands on the client’s forearm and lift
• C. Spread the feet apart
• D. Tighten the pelvic muscles

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Spread the feet apart. When assisting a client to get up in a chair, it is crucial to use a wide base of support to maintain stability and prevent injuries. Spreading the feet apart provides a broader base, increasing balance and support for both the client and the caregiver. This position helps distribute the weight evenly and allows for better control when assisting the client in moving. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because bending at the waist, placing arms under the client's arms, tightening pelvic muscles, or placing hands on the client's forearm do not provide the necessary wide base support needed for stability and safety during the transfer process.

4. Which of the following measures is not recommended to prevent pressure ulcers?

• A. Massaging the reddened area with lotion
• B. Using a water or air mattress
• C. Adhering to a schedule for positioning and turning
• D. Providing meticulous skin care

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Massaging a reddened area can cause further tissue damage by increasing pressure on already compromised skin. The other options, such as using specialized mattresses, adhering to repositioning schedules, and maintaining good skin care, are all recommended strategies to prevent pressure ulcers by reducing pressure and friction on vulnerable areas of the skin.

5. What should be done in order to prevent contamination of the environment when making a bed?

• A. Avoid flinging soiled linens
• B. Strip all linens at the same time
• C. Finish both sides at the same time
• D. Embrace soiled linen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct practice to prevent contamination of the environment when making a bed is to avoid flinging soiled linens. Flinging soiled linens can spread contaminants in the environment, leading to potential health risks. By handling soiled linens properly and avoiding flinging them, the risk of contamination is minimized, ensuring a safer and cleaner environment. Stripping all linens at the same time (choice B) may not necessarily prevent contamination if the soiled linens are flung around. Finishing both sides at the same time (choice C) is unrelated to preventing contamination. Embracing soiled linen (choice D) is not hygienic and can lead to spreading contaminants.

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