Nursing Elites

1. Nurse B arrives for his regular night shift at a care facility for the aged. Due to a family emergency, he has only slept for 3 hours since his last shift. One of Nurse B's aides calls in sick, and there is no one available to replace the aide that night. With no help accessible, Nurse B lifts an obese patient from a wheelchair into a bed alone. Short on time and assistance, Nurse B decides to forgo the patient's evening bath. Legally, what does Nurse B most likely face?

• A. Little risk of liability because he is doing his best under difficult circumstances
• B. Immediate termination for dereliction of duty
• C. Liability if a pattern of negligence is identified in his performance evaluation
• D. A high risk of liability for his actions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, Nurse B faces a high risk of liability for his actions due to several factors. Working with insufficient resources, failing to adhere to policies and procedures, taking shortcuts, and working while highly stressed are all situations that increase the risk of liability. Nurse B's decision to lift an obese patient without assistance and skip the patient's evening bath due to time constraints and lack of help are clear examples of actions that can lead to legal consequences. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the circumstances described in the scenario indicate a higher likelihood of liability due to the factors mentioned above.

2. A nurse cares for an Asian American client with a fractured femur. During shift report, which statement by the nurse will another nurse challenge?

• A. The client has requested to wait to receive pain medication.
• B. The client does not want family to visit the room.
• C. The client is a recent immigrant to this country.
• D. The client is stoic and will not complain at all.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Stereotyping the client as stoic and unlikely to complain about pain is incorrect and can lead to inadequate pain management. It is essential for the nurse to assess and address the client's pain regardless of cultural background. Choices A, B, and C are not as critical as they respect the client's autonomy, cultural preferences regarding family visits, and provide relevant background information about the client's immigrant status.

3. 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.

4. During a family meeting that the nurse organized during an older adult's discharge planning from the hospital, there is visible animosity between the son and daughter of the patient. What should the nurse's initial response be to the apparent family dysfunction?

• A. Teach the patient's children alternative methods of interaction.
• B. Encourage the family to choose one spokesperson to represent all the children.
• C. Organize separate meetings with the son and with the daughter.
• D. Assess the family history and the nature of the son and daughter's relationship.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct initial response for the nurse in this situation is to assess the family history and the nature of the son and daughter's relationship. By gathering data and identifying factors contributing to the dysfunction, the nurse can better understand the underlying issues and dynamics at play. Teaching alternative methods of interaction (Choice A) may not address the root cause of the animosity. Encouraging one spokesperson for the family (Choice B) may overlook individual concerns. Organizing separate meetings (Choice C) may not provide a holistic view of the family dynamics and may not address the issues affecting the family unit as a whole. Therefore, assessing the family history and relationship dynamics is essential for effective intervention and resolution of the family dysfunction.

5. A nurse is providing end-of-life care to an older female client who practices Judaism. Which intervention would the nurse identify as potentially problematic for this client and her family?

• A. The client requires transfusions of packed red blood cells during care.
• B. Assessment by a male health care provider was required.
• C. An autopsy was ordered due to the client's unique disease etiology.
• D. A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order was recommended by the care team.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Autopsy is often opposed in the context of Jewish religious and cultural beliefs, as it is seen as desecration of the body. While a person who is a Jehovah's Witness would be opposed to blood transfusions (choice A), a Muslim client may prefer to be cared for by someone of the same gender (choice B). A DNR order (choice D) is not noted to be a particular issue in the context of Jewish culture.

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