Nursing Elites

1. When in doubt about using restraints on an agitated patient, it is prudent for nurses to:

• A. Restrain the patient for their own safety
• B. Use minor restraints such as a bed side rail or a tray on a wheelchair
• C. Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision
• D. Avoid using any device or procedure to limit liability

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use alternatives such as a bed alarm with increased staff supervision.' The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) established strict standards on restraint use in long-term care facilities. Restraints can be considered a form of false imprisonment and neglect, leading to potential litigation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid restraints whenever possible. A bed alarm coupled with enhanced staff supervision provides an effective and non-restrictive approach for managing an agitated patient. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because restraining the patient, using minor restraints, or avoiding all devices without providing an alternative can pose risks to patient safety, violate regulations, or increase liability concerns.

2. 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.

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 is providing care for an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation not 'get out there.' How can the nurse best respond to the client's concerns?

• A. Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.
• B. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ensures that your medical records will not leave this hospital.
• C. Provided you signed a directive on admission, your records will not be made public.
• D. The law protects your right to confidentiality and protects your health information from being released into unintended hands.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects individuals' right to confidentiality and safeguards health information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Assuring the client that the law protects their right to confidentiality and prevents their health information from being released into unintended hands is the best response. Choice A is too broad and may not cover all aspects of confidentiality. Choice B only mentions medical records staying within the hospital, which does not address the client's concern about written documentation. Choice C incorrectly implies that a signed directive is needed for confidentiality, which is not true under HIPAA regulations.

5. Which of the following family interactions would the nurse most likely interpret as being atypical?

• A. Mr. R states that he and his brother always had a cordial, though somewhat distant, relationship but that they are now quite close.
• B. Mrs. D describes being a grandparent as 'having all the benefits of having children without the headaches and responsibilities.'
• C. Mr. and Mrs. N had a tumultuous relationship for decades but now appear more at ease with one another.
• D. Mr. A states that his ideal living situation would be himself and his adult son and daughter all under the same roof.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. While marital reconciliation, rekindled relationships with siblings, and satisfaction in the role of grandparent are common phenomena among older adults, it is less common for parents and children to see cohabitation as an ideal situation or first preference. Choices A, B, and C reflect common positive family dynamics experienced by older adults, such as improved relationships with siblings, contentment in the grandparent role, and easing of marital tensions over time. On the other hand, choice D stands out as atypical as it suggests an unconventional living arrangement where adult children live with their parent, which is less commonly preferred by older adults.

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