Nursing Elites

1. In which of the following situations would the use of physical restraints most likely be justified?

• A. Mr. Y is agitated and aggressive while experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal and is not responding to chemical sedation.
• B. Mrs. U, diagnosed with dementia, was found wandering outside the hospital, and nurses have been unable to redirect her to stay on the unit.
• C. Mr. I is delirious during the acute stage of his urinary tract infection and is ringing the call bell nearly continuously.
• D. Mrs. T is frequently entering other patients' rooms and attempting to crawl into others' beds.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Answer A is the correct choice because it describes a situation where the client poses a risk due to agitation and aggression during severe alcohol withdrawal, and chemical sedation has not been effective. In such cases, physical restraints may be justified as a last resort to ensure the safety of the client and others. Choices B, C, and D present scenarios where alternative strategies like redirection, addressing delirium, or implementing behavioral interventions should be attempted before considering physical restraints.

2. How does the doctrine of respondent superior affect nurses?

• A. Liable for injury resulting from advice given to a member of a patient's family
• B. Responsible for double-checking the doses of medication ordered by a physician
• C. Responsible for the actions of the staff they supervise
• D. Obligated to obtain informed consent for any diagnostic procedure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The doctrine of respondent superior holds that supervisors are accountable not only for their own actions but also for the actions of the staff they oversee. This means that nurses, as supervisors, are responsible for ensuring that the actions of their staff comply with established protocols and standards of care. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the principle of respondent superior. Nurses may have other responsibilities related to giving advice, medication administration, and obtaining consent, but the doctrine of respondent superior specifically pertains to the accountability of supervisors for the actions of their subordinates.

3. A nurse is reviewing the client population of a local community health center and identifying the health care needs of the group. The nurse decides to develop a screening program for hypertension. Which client population would the nurse most likely be working with?

• A. A seniors' group based at a Jewish community center.
• B. A Native American reservation/Canadian aboriginal reserve.
• C. A predominantly Chinese-American neighborhood.
• D. A minimum-security prison serving young, rehabilitating offenders.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hypertension is disproportionately high among Native American/First Nations clients. This condition is not noted to be a major health problem among Jewish Americans, prisoners, or Americans of Chinese ancestry. Developing a screening program for hypertension in a Native American reservation/Canadian aboriginal reserve would be most appropriate based on the prevalence of the condition in this population.

4. A nurse at a rehabilitation center is preparing a care plan for a 71-year-old post-stroke patient who has shown significant improvement in function and who is ready to return to the community. In the nurse's efforts to mobilize family caregiving, which of the following statements provides the most accurate criterion for inclusion in the category of 'family'?

• A. The patient's spouse, biological children, and closest friends
• B. Any unpaid person who has expressed sincere interest in the patient's condition and provided hands-on care since his admission to the facility
• C. Anyone who self-identifies as being a member of the patient's family
• D. Any individual who fulfills the patient's family functions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most accurate criterion for inclusion in the category of 'family' when mobilizing family caregiving is identifying individuals who fulfill family functions. Choice D is the correct answer as it emphasizes the importance of individuals who perform essential family functions for the patient. This criterion is crucial as it prioritizes the practical support and care provided by individuals over biological relationships (Choice A), self-identification (Choice C), or willingness to provide care (Choice B), which may not always translate to fulfilling necessary family functions.

5. During a busy shift, a registered nurse directed an unlicensed care provider to change the dressing and perform wound care on an older adult client's surgical incision, an act that exists outside of the unlicensed care provider's scope of practice. Which of the following statements best captures the legal context of this event?

• A. The unlicensed care provider is solely responsible for the inappropriate practice.
• B. The nurse can be held liable for the actions of the unlicensed care provider.
• C. Liability rests with the nurse manager of the unit.
• D. In the absence of documented harm to the client, the action is legally permissible.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Under the doctrine of respondent superior, nurses can be held liable for the actions of individuals under their supervision. In this scenario, the registered nurse directed the unlicensed care provider to perform a task outside their scope of practice, making the nurse accountable for the consequences. Choice A is incorrect because the responsibility is shared between the nurse and the unlicensed care provider. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse manager may not be directly responsible for the actions of the registered nurse. Choice D is incorrect because legality is not determined solely by the absence of harm; acting within one's legal scope of practice is essential to ensure patient safety.

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