Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
An order written by the physician is reviewed by the nursing staff, and no one is familiar with the treatment instructions. A nurse who is recently hired knows that this treatment is covered by the states nurse practice act.
What is the nurses’ best course of action?
A. Call the physician to ask for clarification.
B. Check the states nurse practice act.
C. Refer to the facility’s policy and procedures to determine the course of action.
When faced with an unfamiliar treatment instruction, it is important for the nurse to consult the facility’s policies and procedures to determine the appropriate course of action. These policies and procedures provide guidance on how to carry out treatments safely and effectively and can help ensure that the patient receives the best possible care. While it may also be appropriate for the nurse to call the physician for clarification (a), check the state’s nurse practice act (b), or contact the nursing supervisor for approval (d), consulting the facility’s policies and procedures should be the first step in determining the appropriate course of action.
D. Contact the nursing supervisor for approval to carry out treatment.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Mental Health Chapter 1 - Proctored Exam 2. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
When faced with an unfamiliar treatment instruction, it is important for the nurse to consult the facility’s policies and procedures to determine the appropriate course of action. These policies and procedures provide guidance on how to carry out treatments safely and effectively and can help ensure that the patient receives the best possible care.
While it may also be appropriate for the nurse to call the physician for clarification (a), check the state’s nurse practice act (b), or contact the nursing supervisor for approval (d), consulting the facility’s policies and procedures should be the first step in determining the appropriate course of action.
Similar Questions
The nurse’s ability to use therapeutic communication effectively in the mental health setting depends on:
A. How well the client communicates.
The client’s ability to communicate (a) is also important, but it is ultimately the nurse’s responsibility to use effective communication techniques to facilitate the therapeutic process.
B. The nurse’s understanding of mental health disorders.
C. The nurse’s ability to listen and observe the clients verbal and non-verbal messages.
The nurse’s ability to listen and observe the client’s verbal and non-verbal messages. Effective communication in the mental health setting requires the nurse to actively listen to the client and to pay close attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. By doing so, the nurse can better understand the client’s needs and concerns and can provide appropriate support and guidance. While the nurse’s understanding of mental health disorders (b) and their relationship with the client (d) can also play a role in effective communication, the ability to listen and observe is a fundamental skill that is essential for effective therapeutic communication. The client’s ability to communicate (a) is also important, but it is ultimately the nurse’s responsibility to use effective communication techniques to facilitate the therapeutic process.
D. The nurse’s relationship with the client.
Full Explanation
The nurse’s ability to listen and observe the client’s verbal and non-verbal messages. Effective communication in the mental health setting requires the nurse to actively listen to the client and to pay close attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. By doing so, the nurse can better understand the client’s needs and concerns and can provide appropriate support and guidance.
While the nurse’s understanding of mental health disorders (b) and their relationship with the client (d) can also play a role in effective communication, the ability to listen and observe is a fundamental skill that is essential for effective therapeutic communication. The client’s ability to communicate (a) is also important, but it is ultimately the nurse’s responsibility to use effective communication techniques to facilitate the therapeutic process.
An example of a client who requires emergency admission to a mental hospital is one who has been diagnosed with:
A. Client with bipolar disorder who has been pacing up and down the sidewalk.
B. Client who had a suicide attempt one year ago.
C. Client who is paranoid and reports frequent hallucinations.
D. Client with post-traumatic stress disorder who hit his son with a bat.
This client’s behavior indicates that they may pose a danger to themselves or others and may require immediate intervention to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. The other clients (a, b, c) may also have mental health needs, but their situations do not necessarily indicate the need for emergency admission to a mental hospital. It is important for healthcare providers to assess each client’s individual needs and to provide appropriate care and support.
Full Explanation
This client’s behavior indicates that they may pose a danger to themselves or others and may require immediate intervention to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.
The other clients (a, b, c) may also have mental health needs, but their situations do not necessarily indicate the need for emergency admission to a mental hospital. It is important for healthcare providers to assess each client’s individual needs and to provide appropriate care and support.
While working as nurse in a hospital you notice that a co-worker has unsteady gait and slurred speech. You suspect that she may be an impaired nurse.
Which of the following will be the appropriate action to take?
A. Ask your co-worker to perform a sobriety test.
Asking your co-worker to perform a sobriety test (Option a) may also not be appropriate, as you may not be trained or authorized to administer such a test, and it may not be a reliable indicator of impairment.
B. Report your co-worker to the supervisor.
This is because impaired nursing can have serious consequences for patients' safety and well-being, and it is your ethical and professional responsibility to take action to ensure patient safety.
C. Ignore your co-worker’s behavior until others notice the problem.
Ignoring the co-worker's behavior (Option c) is not an appropriate action, as it could potentially harm patients and violate your ethical and professional responsibilities as a nurse.
D. Confront the co-worker with your suspicions.
Confronting the co-worker directly (Option d) may not be the best approach, as it could lead to a confrontational situation and may not resolve the issue.
Full Explanation
This is because impaired nursing can have serious consequences for patients' safety and well-being, and it is your ethical and professional responsibility to take action to ensure patient safety.
Confronting the co-worker directly ( Option d) may not be the best approach, as it could lead to a confrontational situation and may not resolve the issue. Asking your co-worker to perform a sobriety test ( Option a) may also not be appropriate, as you may not be trained or authorized to administer such a test, and it may not be a reliable indicator of impairment. Ignoring the co-worker's behavior ( Option c) is not an appropriate action, as it could potentially harm patients and violate your ethical and professional responsibilities as a nurse.