Nursing Elites

1. A visiting nurse becomes concerned about a caregiver daughter. Although she does not seem overburdened, she may be drinking too much. The recycling bin contains many wine bottles, and visitors come to the home. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Direct the daughter to a local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter
• B. Ignore the signs unless they interfere with caregiving
• C. Find a new caregiver in the family or outside of it
• D. Assess the daughter's motivation and ability to provide care

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to assess the daughter's motivation and ability to provide care. The nurse should not jump to conclusions based solely on the presence of wine bottles in the recycling bin. It is important to understand the daughter's overall capacity for caregiving and if her potential alcohol consumption is affecting her ability to provide care. Directing the daughter to Alcoholics Anonymous without a thorough assessment may not be appropriate at this stage. Ignoring the signs or immediately finding a new caregiver without understanding the daughter's situation may not address the underlying issue. Therefore, assessing the daughter's motivation and caregiving capabilities is the most appropriate initial step for the nurse.

2. 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.

3. What is a standard of care?

• A. A relationship in which a nurse has assumed responsibility for the care of a patient
• B. A policy or procedure established by a health care agency or professional association
• C. The norm for what a reasonable individual would do in a similar circumstance
• D. A public law that, if violated, can result in liability for the nurse

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A standard of care is the level of care that a reasonably prudent person with similar training and experience would provide in a similar circumstance. Choice A is incorrect because it describes the nurse-patient relationship. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to specific policies or procedures. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a law rather than the expected level of care.

4. Which of the following aspects of gerontological nursing would be most likely classified under private law?

• A. The regulation of who may call himself or herself a 'nurse'
• B. The contract between an older adult resident of a care facility and the owners of the facility
• C. The legal criteria for declaring an individual mentally incompetent
• D. The criminal consequences for instances of elder abuse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because private law deals with relationships between individuals and organizations, such as the contract between an individual and the care facility. Choices A, C, and D are not classified under private law. Choice A pertains to professional regulation and is a matter of public law. Choice C involves legal criteria and decision-making related to mental competence, falling under public law. Choice D concerns criminal consequences, which are also part of public law.

5. Which of the following actions can a nurse safely take without risk of liability?

• A. Questioning a doctor's written orders for medication
• B. Permitting a volunteer to move a patient
• C. Using a blood pressure cuff that is sometimes sticking
• D. Asking a family member to deliver routine medication to a patient's room

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Questioning a doctor's written orders for medication. Under the doctrine of respondent superior, nurses can face liability risks for various actions. Permitting volunteers to move patients, using malfunctioning equipment, or tasking unqualified staff can pose liability risks. Questioning medication orders is a responsibility to ensure patient safety. It is crucial for nurses to clarify any doubts or raise concerns about medication orders to prevent potential harm to patients.

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