Nursing Elites

1. An RN is writing reminders for good documentation for the nurses on her staff. The purpose is to ensure nursing documentation is legally credible. Which of the following is a recommendation she should include in the reminders?

• A. Use shortcuts in documentation.
• B. Only use approved abbreviations.
• C. Documentation should be subjective.
• D. Document after care is provided.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct recommendation the RN should include in the reminders is to 'Only use approved abbreviations.' Using shortcuts in documentation (choice A) may lead to errors or omissions, affecting the credibility of documentation. Documentation should be objective (choice C) rather than subjective to ensure accuracy and legal credibility. It is essential to document care promptly after providing it (choice D) to maintain the accuracy and completeness of patient records, but using approved abbreviations is a more specific recommendation to enhance legal credibility.

2. What is the main goal of a nursing quality improvement (QI) program?

• A. To enhance patient safety
• B. To reduce healthcare costs
• C. To ensure regulatory compliance
• D. To maintain high patient satisfaction

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main goal of a nursing quality improvement (QI) program is to enhance patient safety. While reducing healthcare costs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining high patient satisfaction are important aspects of healthcare delivery, the primary focus of a QI program in nursing is to improve patient safety through practices such as error reduction, risk management, and enhancing the quality of care provided.

3. What is the term for working on a schedule within the unit, involving only those who are working within that unit?

• A. Flexible staffing
• B. Self-staffing
• C. Internal pools
• D. Management scheduling

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, self-staffing. Self-staffing is the model where staff entirely manage staffing and scheduling themselves, without external involvement. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Flexible staffing refers to adjusting staffing levels based on demand. Internal pools involve a group of staff who can be drawn upon for scheduling needs. Management scheduling typically involves supervisors or managers creating and managing schedules for the unit.

4. What is the main purpose of a clinical audit?

• A. To measure patient satisfaction
• B. To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical practices
• C. To identify areas for improvement
• D. To standardize patient care protocols

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main purpose of a clinical audit is to identify areas for improvement in clinical practices. While patient satisfaction might be a component evaluated during an audit, the primary goal is to ensure that care is safe, effective, and patient-centered, rather than solely focusing on satisfaction. Evaluating the effectiveness of clinical practices is a related but more specific goal compared to the broader aim of identifying areas for improvement. Standardizing patient care protocols can be a result of a clinical audit, but it is not the main purpose, which is to pinpoint areas needing enhancement.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask when assessing the quality of the client's pain?

• A. Is your pain constant or intermittent?
• B. What would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?
• C. Does the pain radiate?
• D. Is your pain sharp or dull?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When assessing the quality of pain, asking if the pain is sharp or dull helps the nurse understand the nature of the pain. Sharp pain is often associated with acute conditions like nerve irritation or injury, while dull pain may indicate a more chronic issue like inflammation or tissue damage. Choices A, B, and C focus on different aspects of pain assessment but do not specifically address the quality of pain, making them less relevant in this context.

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