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 C
Explanation
c. Ringing in the ears.
Explanation:
Cefazolin is an antibiotic medication that belongs to the class of cephalosporins. While it is generally safe and well-tolerated, it can have potential side effects that should be monitored and reported to the healthcare provider. One of the potential side effects of cefazolin is ototoxicity, which can manifest as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or other hearing disturbances. If the adolescent experiences any ringing in the ears or changes in hearing while taking cefazolin, it should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Options a, b, and d are not specifically associated with the use of cefazolin. Constipation can occur due to various reasons unrelated to this medication. Elevated skin patches may be indicative of an allergic reaction or other skin condition but are not specific to cefazolin. Depression is not a common side effect of cefazolin and should be evaluated separately if experienced by the adolescent.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The first action the nurse should plan to perform is to check the client's ability to use the call light. This is essential to ensure that the client can easily communicate with the healthcare team if they need assistance or experience a fall risk situation. By confirming the client's ability to use the call light, the nurse can address any potential communication barriers and ensure that the client has a means to request help promptly.
Explanation for the other options:
b) Document the client's risk in the medical record: While documenting the client's risk in the medical record is important, it is not the first action to be taken. Ensuring the client's immediate safety and ability to request assistance is the priority.
c) Request a referral for physical therapy: Referring the client for physical therapy may be a necessary step to address their impaired mobility and reduce fall risk, but it is not the first action to be performed. Assessing their ability to use the call light takes precedence in order to address immediate safety concerns.
d) Place a gait belt in the client's room: Providing a gait belt is a measure to assist with mobility and falls prevention. However, it should not be the first action. Checking the client's ability to use the call light is more critical to ensure their immediate safety and ability to request help.
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