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.
Document objective findings about the situation.
Remove the nurse from the client care area.
Assign clients to the remaining staff.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Calling the supervisor to ask for another nurse is not the first action the charge nurse should take when noticing the smell of alcohol on a nurse's breath. While it's important to involve the supervisor, immediate action to ensure patient safety is required.
Choice B rationale:
Documenting objective findings about the situation is a valid step in the process, but it should not be the first action. The charge nurse's primary responsibility is to address the immediate safety concerns.
Choice C rationale:
Removing the nurse from the client care area is the first action the charge nurse should take when smelling alcohol on a nurse's breath. This action ensures patient safety and prevents potential harm caused by impaired nursing care.
Choice D rationale:
Assigning clients to the remaining staff is not the first action to take when there is suspicion of alcohol impairment in a nurse. Patient safety and addressing the situation involving the impaired nurse take precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Decreased platelets are not typically an indicator of infection. Platelet levels may decrease in conditions like thrombocytopenia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.
Choice B rationale:
Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indicator of infection. An elevated ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation in the body, which can be seen in response to infection, among other conditions.
Choice C rationale:
Decreased hemoglobin is not typically an indicator of infection. Hemoglobin levels may decrease in conditions like anemia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.
Choice D rationale:
Increased iron levels are not typically an indicator of infection. Iron levels can vary for various reasons, but they are not a direct marker of infection.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"Request an x-ray of the preschooler's neck." - This action is not indicated for a preschooler with manifestations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RSV primarily affects the respiratory system, and an x-ray of the neck would not be relevant for this condition.
Choice B rationale:
"Initiate droplet precautions." - This is the correct answer. RSV is highly contagious and primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. Initiating droplet precautions, such as wearing a mask and practicing proper hand hygiene, is essential to prevent the transmission of the virus to others in the healthcare setting.
Choice C rationale:
"Administer fluconazole to the preschooler." - Fluconazole is an antifungal medication and would not be appropriate for treating RSV, which is a viral respiratory infection. Antifungal medications are used to treat fungal infections, not viral ones.
Choice D rationale:
"Monitor the preschooler's urine for protein." - Monitoring urine for protein is not relevant to the care of a preschooler with RSV. This action is more suitable for conditions that may affect the kidneys or urinary system but not RSV, which primarily affects the respiratory system.
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