A charge nurse in a long-term care facility notices the smell of alcohol on a nurse's breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse.
Assign clients to the remaining staff.
Document objective findings about the situation.
Remove the nurse from the client care area.
The Correct Answer is D
The presence of alcohol on a nurse's breath raises concerns regarding impairment and the potential for compromised patient safety. It is crucial to prioritize patient safety and prevent any potential harm. Removing the nurse from the client care area ensures that immediate patient safety is addressed and minimizes the risk of any adverse events.
Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse: While involving the supervisor is important, it should not be the first action taken in this situation. The immediate priority is to address patient safety by removing the nurse from the client care area.
Assign clients to the remaining staff: Assigning clients to the remaining staff should not be the first action taken because it may compromise patient safety if the nurse in question is impaired. It is important to ensure that the nurse is removed from the client care area before reassigning the clients to other staff members.
Document objective findings about the situation: Documenting the objective findings about the situation is important for accurate record-keeping and reporting. However, it should not be the first action taken when immediate patient safety is at stake. Removing the nurse from the client care area is the priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A:
An absent dorsal pedal pulse would indicate a vascular problem such as arterial occlusion, not a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the case of DVT, blood flow in the veins is obstructed, but the arterial pulse, which is related to arterial circulation, should remain intact unless there is a separate arterial issue. Therefore, absent pulses are not characteristic of DVT.
Choice B:
Shiny, hairless skin is a sign typically associated with chronic arterial insufficiency, not DVT. This skin change occurs when there is poor arterial blood flow, which leads to a lack of nourishment for the skin, causing it to become thin and shiny. In contrast, DVT affects the veins and does not usually cause these skin changes in the acute phase.
Choice C:
Irregular, bulging veins are indicative of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, not a DVT. Varicose veins occur when the veins become swollen and twisted due to weak or damaged valves. DVT, on the other hand, involves the formation of a clot in the deep veins and does not typically cause the veins to bulge visibly, especially in the early stages.
Choice D:
Dull, aching pain is a common symptom associated with deep vein thrombosis. This pain typically occurs in the affected extremity and is often described as a constant, aching sensation. The pain can worsen with movement or standing and is due to the inflammation and obstruction caused by the blood clot in the deep veins. This is a hallmark sign of DVT, along with swelling and redness in the affected limb.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the opening of the cervix. One of the hallmark signs of placenta previa is painless vaginal bleeding, typically bright red in color. This bleeding can occur spontaneously or during activities that put pressure on the uterus, such as sexual intercourse or physical exertion.
A rigid abdomen is not typically associated with placenta previa. It may indicate other conditions, such as peritonitis or abdominal muscle rigidity, but it is not a characteristic finding of placenta previa.
Persistent uterine contractions are not typically associated with placenta previa. Placenta previa is more commonly associated with painless bleeding rather than contractions. However, if placenta previa is complicated by other factors, such as placental abruption, contractions and abdominal pain may be present.
Fetal movement is not directly related to placenta previa. Fetal movement can vary from person to person and does not specifically indicate placenta previa. However, it is important for the nurse to assess fetal well-being in clients with placenta previa as bleeding can impact the oxygen supply to the fetus.
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