A nurse performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a 92-year-old with brittle bones and breaks a rib during the procedure, which then punctures a lung. The patient recovers completely without any residual problems and sues the nurse for pain and suffering and for malpractice. Which key point will the prosecution attempt to prove against the nurse?
The patient would have died if nothing was done.
The CPR procedure was done incorrectly.
The patient was resuscitated according to the policy.
The older patient with brittle bones might sustain fractures when chest compressions are done.
The Correct Answer is B
A. While the patient may have been in a life-threatening situation, this point is not necessarily a direct indictment of the nurse’s actions but rather a justification for performing CPR.
B. The prosecution will likely focus on whether the CPR was performed according to accepted standards of care. If it can be shown that the technique was inappropriate or negligent, this would support the claim of malpractice.
C. Performing CPR according to policy may serve as a defense for the nurse, emphasizing adherence to established protocols.
D. While it is true that older adults with brittle bones may be at risk for fractures, this is a known risk of CPR, and the prosecution will aim to demonstrate specific negligence or failure in technique rather than just acknowledging inherent risks.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While monitoring cardiac output can provide insights into heart function, it does not directly determine the presence of dysrhythmias.
B. Peripheral extremity circulation is influenced by cardiac output but is not the primary focus of monitoring it.
C. Cardiac output is essential for determining the heart's ability to meet the body's oxygenation requirements; low cardiac output can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery.
D. Ventilation status refers to the respiratory function and is not directly assessed through cardiac output measurements.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Competent nurses have typically worked in a specific area for 2-3 years, developing an understanding of patient care specific to that field.
B. Proficient nurses have advanced understanding and experience, allowing them to see care situations as whole parts rather than in separate steps.
C. In a new specialty area, the nurse is considered a novice, as they lack experience and expertise in obstetrics despite previous nursing experience.
D. Advanced beginners have some experience but still need support; however, this would apply only if the nurse had some previous obstetric experience.