Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A facility has been notified of a train derailment resulting in multiple clients experiencing life-threatening injuries. The external disaster plan has been activated. Which of the following actions should a charge nurse on the PACU take?
A. Take extra wheelchairs to the emergency department.
Take extra wheelchairs to the emergency department While having extra wheelchairs available can be helpful in a disaster situation, it is not the primary responsibility of the PACU charge nurse. The logistics of equipment distribution would typically be managed by a different team or department.
B. Send PACU assistive personnel to assist with triage.
Send PACU assistive personnel to assist with triage Triage is a critical part of disaster response, but it is typically performed by trained emergency department personnel or those with specific training in disaster triage. PACU personnel should focus on their area of expertise, which is post-anesthesia care.
C. Identify stable clients for transfer to a surgical unit.
Identify stable clients for transfer to a surgical unit This is the correct action. By identifying stable clients for transfer, the PACU charge nurse can free up space for incoming patients who may require immediate post-operative care. This action helps to ensure that the PACU is ready to receive patients who are likely to come from the emergency department after immediate lifesaving interventions.
D. Report to the command center for further instructions.
While communication with the command center is important in a disaster situation, the PACU charge nurse’s primary responsibility is to manage the care environment and patient flow within their specific unit. Other teams or personnel would likely handle tasks like reporting to the command center.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN Leadership 2019 A Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C.
Choice A: Take extra wheelchairs to the emergency department While having extra wheelchairs available can be helpful in a disaster situation, it is not the primary responsibility of the PACU charge nurse. The logistics of equipment distribution would typically be managed by a different team or department.
Choice B: Send PACU assistive personnel to assist with triage Triage is a critical part of disaster response, but it is typically performed by trained emergency department personnel or those with specific training in disaster triage. PACU personnel should focus on their area of expertise, which is post-anesthesia care.
Choice C: Identify stable clients for transfer to a surgical unit This is the correct action. By identifying stable clients for transfer, the PACU charge nurse can free up space for incoming patients who may require immediate post-operative care. This action helps to ensure that the PACU is ready to receive patients who are likely to come from the emergency department after immediate lifesaving interventions.
Choice D: Report to the command center for further instructions While communication with the command center is important in a disaster situation, the PACU charge nurse’s primary responsibility is to manage the care environment and patient flow within their specific unit. Other teams or personnel would likely handle tasks like reporting to the command center.
Similar Questions
A charge nurse is planning client care assignments for a unit. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
A. Determine the swallowing ability of a client who has had a stroke.
Determining the swallowing ability of a client who has had a stroke requires clinical judgment and assessment skills that fall within the scope of a registered nurse's practice. This task involves assessing potential risks and complications related to the client's condition.
B. Provide an enteral feeding to a client who has Crohn's disease.
Providing an enteral feeding to a client who has Crohn's disease is within the scope of an LPN's practice. LPNs are trained to administer enteral feedings and manage stable clients with chronic conditions, such as Crohn's disease, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
C. Develop a teaching plan for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Developing a teaching plan for a client with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus involves comprehensive assessment, education, and planning. This task requires the expertise of a registered nurse, as it encompasses various aspects of disease management and requires tailored education based on individual client needs.
D. Weigh a client who is 3 days postoperative following coronary artery bypass grafting.
Weighing a client who is 3 days postoperative following coronary artery bypass grafting involves monitoring for postoperative complications and assessing the client's stability. This task requires clinical judgment and the ability to recognize potential issues, making it more appropriate for a registered nurse to perform.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Determining the swallowing ability of a client who has had a stroke requires clinical judgment and assessment skills that fall within the scope of a registered nurse's practice. This task involves assessing potential risks and complications related to the client's condition.
Choice B rationale:
Providing an enteral feeding to a client who has Crohn's disease is within the scope of an LPN's practice. LPNs are trained to administer enteral feedings and manage stable clients with chronic conditions, such as Crohn's disease, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Choice C rationale:
Developing a teaching plan for a client with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus involves comprehensive assessment, education, and planning. This task requires the expertise of a registered nurse, as it encompasses various aspects of disease management and requires tailored education based on individual client needs.
Choice D rationale:
Weighing a client who is 3 days postoperative following coronary artery bypass grafting involves monitoring for postoperative complications and assessing the client's stability. This task requires clinical judgment and the ability to recognize potential issues, making it more appropriate for a registered nurse to perform.
A nurse is receiving report from the assistive personnel (AP) assigned to the nurse's group of clients. Which of the following statements from the AP indicates the client the nurse should assess first?
A. "The client who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago is reporting feeling constipated.”
The client who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago reporting feeling constipated is an important assessment, but an inability to void after indwelling urinary catheter removal takes precedence due to the risk of urinary retention and potential complications such as bladder distention.
B. "The client who had the hip replacement reports pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.”
The client who had a hip replacement reporting pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 requires assessment and intervention, but an inability to void is a higher priority concern due to the potential impact on renal function and the urinary system.
C. "The client who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 8 hr ago reports an inability to void.”
The client who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 8 hours ago reporting an inability to void is the correct choice. This situation raises concerns about urinary retention, which can lead to serious complications such as bladder distention, urinary tract infections, and potential damage to the urinary system.
D. "The client who is scheduled for discharge today states they are ready to sign their paperwork.”
The client scheduled for discharge today expressing readiness to sign paperwork is not an urgent concern compared to the other options. While discharge planning is important, addressing potential physiological issues takes precedence over administrative tasks.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago reporting feeling constipated is an important assessment, but an inability to void after indwelling urinary catheter removal takes precedence due to the risk of urinary retention and potential complications such as bladder distention.
Choice B rationale:
The client who had a hip replacement reporting pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 requires assessment and intervention, but an inability to void is a higher priority concern due to the potential impact on renal function and the urinary system.
Choice C rationale:
The client who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 8 hours ago reporting an inability to void is the correct choice. This situation raises concerns about urinary retention, which can lead to serious complications such as bladder distention, urinary tract infections, and potential damage to the urinary system.
Choice D rationale:
The client scheduled for discharge today expressing readiness to sign paperwork is not an urgent concern compared to the other options. While discharge planning is important, addressing potential physiological issues takes precedence over administrative tasks.
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client transferred from another department. The nurse should verify that the client has given informed consent prior to which of the following procedures?
A. Removal of staples from a surgical wound.
This procedure is typically considered routine and minimally invasive, involving the removal of staples used for wound closure. While it involves physical manipulation of the wound site, it does not carry significant risks or require the alteration of the patient's consciousness. Therefore, obtaining informed consent for this procedure is not typically necessary as it falls within the standard of care for post-operative wound management.
B. Providing a sputum specimen.
Collecting a sputum specimen is a non-invasive procedure commonly performed to aid in the diagnosis of respiratory conditions such as infections or chronic lung diseases. It involves expectorating mucus from the respiratory tract, which does not pose significant risks to the patient. As such, informed consent is usually not required for this procedure since it is relatively simple and does not involve any invasive interventions or alteration of consciousness.
C. Receiving moderate sedation.
Correct. Moderate sedation involves the administration of drugs, typically benzodiazepines or opioids, to induce a state of decreased consciousness and relaxation while maintaining the patient's ability to respond to verbal commands and physical stimulation. This procedure carries inherent risks, including respiratory depression, cardiovascular complications, and potential allergic reactions to the medications used. Due to the potential for adverse effects and the altered state of consciousness induced by moderate sedation, informed consent is necessary to ensure that patients understand the risks and benefits of the procedure before it is performed.In summary, the correct answer is c because receiving moderate sedation involves administering drugs that can alter consciousness and carries inherent risks, making it necessary to obtain informed consent to ensure that patients are aware of the potential complications and can provide voluntary consent before undergoing the procedure.
D. Collection of a blood specimen for ABGS.
Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis involves the collection of a blood sample from an artery, typically the radial artery in the wrist, to assess the patient's acid-base balance, oxygenation status, and ventilation. While this procedure does involve puncturing the skin and accessing the arterial blood supply, it is considered a standard diagnostic test in many clinical settings. However, the invasiveness of the procedure and potential risks such as bleeding, hematoma formation, and arterial injury may necessitate informed consent in certain situations, especially if the patient has underlying coagulopathies or other risk factors that could increase the likelihood of complications.
Full Explanation
Answer is c. Receiving moderate sedation.
a. Removal of staples from a surgical wound: This procedure is typically considered routine and minimally invasive, involving the removal of staples used for wound closure. While it involves physical manipulation of the wound site, it does not carry significant risks or require the alteration of the patient's consciousness. Therefore, obtaining informed consent for this procedure is not typically necessary as it falls within the standard of care for post-operative wound management.
b. Providing a sputum specimen: Collecting a sputum specimen is a non-invasive procedure commonly performed to aid in the diagnosis of respiratory conditions such as infections or chronic lung diseases. It involves expectorating mucus from the respiratory tract, which does not pose significant risks to the patient. As such, informed consent is usually not required for this procedure since it is relatively simple and does not involve any invasive interventions or alteration of consciousness.
c. Receiving moderate sedation: Correct. Moderate sedation involves the administration of drugs, typically benzodiazepines or opioids, to induce a state of decreased consciousness and relaxation while maintaining the patient's ability to respond to verbal commands and physical stimulation. This procedure carries inherent risks, including respiratory depression, cardiovascular complications, and potential allergic reactions to the medications used. Due to the potential for adverse effects and the altered state of consciousness induced by moderate sedation, informed consent is necessary to ensure that patients understand the risks and benefits of the procedure before it is performed.
d. Collection of a blood specimen for ABGs: Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis involves the collection of a blood sample from an artery, typically the radial artery in the wrist, to assess the patient's acid-base balance, oxygenation status, and ventilation. While this procedure does involve puncturing the skin and accessing the arterial blood supply, it is considered a standard diagnostic test in many clinical settings. However, the invasiveness of the procedure and potential risks such as bleeding, hematoma formation, and arterial injury may necessitate informed consent in certain situations, especially if the patient has underlying coagulopathies or other risk factors that could increase the likelihood of complications.