An obstetric nurse comes across an automobile accident. The driver seems to have a crushed upper airway, and while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive, the nurse makes a cut in the trachea and inserts a straw from a purse to provide an airway. The patient survives and has a permanent problem with vocal cords, making it difficult to talk. Which statement is true regarding the nurse's performance?
The nurse stayed within the guidelines of the Good Samaritan Law.
The nurse acted appropriately and saved the patient's life.
The nurse should have just stayed with the patient and waited for help.
The nurse took actions beyond those that are standard and appropriate.
The Correct Answer is D
A. The Good Samaritan Law typically protects individuals who provide care in emergency situations but may not apply if the actions taken are beyond the standard of care or are not in the nurse's training.
B. While the nurse's intention was to save the patient's life, the method employed was not a recognized standard procedure for airway management and may have caused harm.
C. Waiting for help may not have been an appropriate option if the patient's airway was compromised, but the method employed by the nurse was not advisable.
D. Cutting into the trachea and using a straw as a makeshift airway are actions that exceed the typical scope of nursing practice and could be deemed inappropriate, regardless of the outcome for the patient.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Risk for infection related to chest x-ray procedure" is not an appropriate diagnosis because a chest x-ray is a diagnostic tool, and pneumonia itself is the concern for infection.
B. "Impaired gas exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes" is correct as pneumonia causes inflammation and consolidation in the lungs, which directly impacts gas exchange.
C. "Risk for deficient fluid volume related to dehydration" does not apply specifically to pneumonia unless the patient presents signs of dehydration, which is not indicated in the scenario.
D. "Ineffective breathing pattern related to pneumonia" could also be a valid diagnosis, but the primary concern given the information provided is gas exchange impairment.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While hospice care is appropriate for those with terminal illnesses, the criteria are more specifically defined by life expectancy rather than just the diagnosis itself.
B. Although pain management is a significant aspect of hospice care, the criteria for eligibility focus on life expectancy rather than need for pain management alone.
C. Completion of an advance directive is encouraged but not a specific criterion for hospice care; patients can receive hospice services without having an advance directive in place.
D. Hospice care is typically designated for patients who are expected to live less than 6 months, focusing on providing comfort and support in the final stages of life.