Nursing Elites

1. Gio told his nurse that the FBI is monitoring and recording his every movement and that microphones have been placed in the unit walls. Which action would be the most therapeutic response?

• A. Confront the delusional material directly by telling Gio that this simply is not so.
• B. Tell Gio that this must seem frightening to him but that you believe he is safe here.
• C. Tell Gio to wait and talk about these beliefs in his one-on-one counseling sessions.
• D. Isolate Gio when he begins to talk about these beliefs.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most therapeutic response in this situation is to acknowledge Gio's feelings of fear and validate his experience by expressing empathy ('this must seem frightening to him'). By reassuring Gio that he is safe in the current environment, the nurse can help reduce his anxiety and build trust. Choice A is not recommended as directly confronting delusional beliefs may lead to increased distress and resistance. Choice C delays addressing Gio's concerns and may not provide immediate support. Choice D of isolating Gio can worsen his feelings of paranoia and distrust in the treatment setting.

2. A client has volunteered to take part in a research study. After participating for two months, he decides that he can no longer tolerate the study and decides to leave. What are the client's rights in this situation?

• A. The client has a right to be released from the study but must reimburse the researchers for charges incurred
• B. The client has a right to be released from the study without any liability
• C. The client has a right to be released from the study but is prohibited from participating in any future studies
• D. The client does not have the right to be released from the study; he must finish his participation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client voluntarily participates in a research study and later decides to withdraw, they have the right to be released from the study without any liability. It is unethical to force a participant to continue in a study against their will as this violates their autonomy and personal rights. Choice A is incorrect as it suggests that the client must reimburse the researchers for charges incurred, which is not typically the case unless agreed upon beforehand. Choice C is incorrect as there is no standard practice prohibiting a participant from future studies just because they withdrew from a current one. Choice D is incorrect because participants always have the right to withdraw from a research study at any time.

3. A nurse is caring for a dying client whose family wants to be with him in the operating suite. The surgeon, however, does not allow families to be present during surgery. The nurse recognizes this as an ethical dilemma. What is the initial step of the nurse when managing this situation?

• A. Contact the physician to amend the order for the client
• B. Document an account of the situation to ensure adequate coverage of details
• C. Consult with the medical ethics committee to determine a safe and workable solution
• D. Speak with the chief nursing officer to change the policy governing this situation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this type of situation, the first action of the nurse should be to address the immediate needs of the client by requesting the physician to make a change based on the circumstances. The primary concern is to ensure the client's well-being and honor the family's wishes, even if it means deviating from standard protocols. While documentation (Choice B) and consulting with higher authorities like the medical ethics committee (Choice C) may be necessary at a later stage, the initial step is to take action to meet the client's needs promptly. Speaking with the chief nursing officer to change the policy (Choice D) is not the most immediate or practical step in this situation, as the focus should be on the client's current care needs.

4. A physician has written an order for '2.0 mg MS q 2-4 hr prn pain.' What is the nurse's appropriate response to this order?

• A. Give 2 mg of morphine sulfate to the client
• B. Give 20 mg of morphine sulfate to the client
• C. Contact the pharmacy to clarify the order
• D. Contact the physician to rewrite the order

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The physician's order contains several errors that could lead to potential harm to the client if not addressed. The use of '2.0' involves a trailing decimal point, which may lead to confusion regarding the intended dose of the drug. Additionally, the abbreviation 'MS' is considered a Do Not Use abbreviation by the Joint Commission, as it could refer to morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, leading to medication errors. While the order indicates the drug should be used for pain, the nurse should contact the physician to clarify the exact dose and specific drug to be administered, ensuring safe and accurate medication administration. Therefore, the correct response is to contact the physician to rewrite the order.

5. Because of budget cuts in the hospital, the nursing manager informs the staff that they must either rotate to other units more often or take their turns staying home from work. Which principle is this nurse manager demonstrating?

• A. Justice
• B. Paternalism
• C. Veracity
• D. Fraternity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Veracity involves truth-telling, even in challenging situations. In this scenario, the nurse manager is being transparent about the need for staff to rotate units or take turns staying home due to budget cuts. This allows the staff to make informed decisions about their work schedules and potential impact on their pay and work areas. Option A, Justice, does not apply as the focus is on communication and transparency, not fairness. Option B, Paternalism, does not fit as it involves decisions made for others' well-being without their input, which is not the case here. Option D, Fraternity, pertains to unity among individuals, which is not the principle demonstrated by the nurse manager in this situation.

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