A nurse on a surgical unit is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following is the priority action of the nurse?
Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury
Reinforcing a client's dressing for the surgical site of an above-the-knee amputation
Taking a telephone prescription about a client who is to be transferred from PACU
Assessing a client who experiences unilateral calf pain when ambulating
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Reassuring the partner is important for emotional support but does not directly impact the immediate safety of clients.
B. Reinforcing a dressing is important for wound care but does not address urgent concerns.
C. Taking a telephone prescription is necessary but not as immediate as addressing a potential complication.
D. Assessing a client with unilateral calf pain is the priority as it may indicate a serious condition such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires immediate evaluation and intervention.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Inform the state medical board for an immediate investigation is not the initial step; concerns should first be reported to appropriate facility personnel.
B. Counsel the provider to determine the cause of the substance abuse is not the nurse’s role; this is a serious issue that requires reporting rather than counseling.
C. Notify the nursing supervisor of the concerns is the appropriate initial step to address the issue according to facility protocol.
D. Encourage clients to change to a different provider is not within the nurse’s scope of practice for handling the provider's behavior and does not address the root issue.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Making a copy of the incident report for the provider is not necessary; the report should be handled according to the facility’s protocol.
B. Submitting the incident report to the risk manager ensures it is reviewed and addressed appropriately, which is crucial for risk management and quality improvement.
C. Placing the incident report in the client’s chart is not appropriate as it is considered a confidential document related to quality and safety, not part of the client’s medical record.
D. Documenting in the chart that an incident report has been filed is not sufficient; the report should be submitted to the risk management team for review.