Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is a key principle of team nursing?

• A. Decentralized decision making
• B. Centralized decision making
• C. Individual accountability
• D. Shared responsibility

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Shared responsibility.' Team nursing emphasizes shared responsibility among team members for patient care. This approach promotes collaboration and coordination among healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive and holistic care. Choices A and B are incorrect because team nursing typically involves collaborative decision-making rather than centralized or decentralized decision-making. Choice C, 'Individual accountability,' does not align with the collaborative nature of team nursing, where responsibility is shared among team members rather than falling solely on individuals.

2. An RN comes upon a serious motor vehicle accident that has just occurred and no first responders are on the scene. One car has been flipped upside down, and she can see the driver still in the car. The RN decides to stop and help. She knows she is protected from civil liability as long as she does which of the following?

• A. Acts in an ordinary, reasonable, and prudent professional manner
• B. Assures that information obtained is not communicated to anyone else
• C. Does not make any verbal comments that could lead to economic harm
• D. Fails to meet the established standards of practice

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Acts in an ordinary, reasonable, and prudent professional manner.' In emergency situations, healthcare professionals are protected from civil liability as long as they act in a manner that any other reasonable and prudent professional would under similar circumstances. Choice B is incorrect because communication of relevant information is essential for patient care and handover to other healthcare providers. Choice C is incorrect as it pertains to a different issue of preventing economic harm rather than addressing the immediate medical needs of the injured driver. Choice D is incorrect because failing to meet established standards of practice can lead to liability, especially in emergencies where immediate action is required to save lives.

3. A patient who was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis secondary to a urinary tract infection has been weaned off an insulin drip 30 minutes ago. The patient reports feeling lightheaded and sweaty. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Infuse dextrose 50% by slow IV push.
• B. Administer 1 mg glucagon subcutaneously.
• C. Obtain a glucose reading using a finger stick.
• D. Have the patient drink 4 ounces of orange juice.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first when a patient reports feeling lightheaded and sweaty after being weaned off an insulin drip is to obtain a glucose reading using a finger stick. This will provide crucial information on the patient's current blood glucose level, helping the nurse assess if the symptoms are due to hypoglycemia. Based on the glucose reading, appropriate interventions can be initiated, such as administering dextrose, glucagon, or oral sugars like orange juice if hypoglycemia is confirmed. However, verifying the blood glucose level is the initial step to guide subsequent actions and ensure patient safety.

4. The staff in the emergency department has presented the nurse leader with a suggestion for streamlining the triage process, cutting down on wait times. Which of the following qualities does the leader specifically need to implement the suggestion?

• A. Courage
• B. Integrity
• C. Energy
• D. Initiative

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Initiative is the correct quality needed in this situation. The staff has provided a suggestion for improvement, and the leader must take the initiative to implement it. Courage, integrity, and energy are valuable qualities as well but in this context, the most essential quality is initiative to drive the change forward and improve the triage process efficiently.

5. An unresponsive patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department and diagnosed with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). The nurse will anticipate the need to

• A. give a bolus of 50% dextrose.
• B. insert a large-bore IV catheter.
• C. initiate oxygen via nasal cannula.
• D. administer glargine (Lantus) insulin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common. To address these issues, the priority intervention is to insert a large-bore IV catheter for fluid resuscitation and electrolyte replacement. Giving a bolus of 50% dextrose would worsen the hyperglycemia. Initiating oxygen via nasal cannula may be beneficial for respiratory support but is not the priority in this scenario. Administering glargine (Lantus) insulin is not the initial treatment for HHS as it does not address the underlying severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

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