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?
Document objective findings about the situation.
Assign clients to the remaining staff.
Call the supervisor to ask for another nurse.
Remove the nurse from the client care area.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Document objective findings about the situation is incorrect. While documentation is important, it should not be the first action when the charge nurse suspects a colleague is under the influence of alcohol. Patient safety takes precedence, and immediate action to remove the nurse from patient care is necessary to prevent potential harm.
Choice B Reason;
Assigning clients to the remaining staff is incorrect. Assigning clients to other staff members is an appropriate step but should come after the nurse under suspicion has been removed from patient care to ensure their safety. Patient safety is the primary concern.
Choice C Reason:
Calling the supervisor to ask for another nurse is incorrect. Contacting the supervisor is a reasonable action, but it should be done after the immediate safety concern has been addressed by removing the nurse from patient care. This allows the supervisor to be informed of the situation and take appropriate action.
Choice D Reason:
Removing the nurse from the client care area is correct.When a charge nurse detects the smell of alcohol on a nurse's breath, the first and most immediate action should be to remove the nurse from the client care area to ensure patient safety. Alcohol impairment can severely compromise a nurse's ability to provide safe and effective care. Once the nurse is removed from patient care, further actions, such as documenting objective findings and contacting the supervisor, can be taken to address the situation and ensure appropriate follow-up, including any necessary interventions or investigations. Patient safety should always be the top priority in such situations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A client who has a spinal cord injury is correct. An interprofessional conference is often recommended for clients with complex and multifaceted health issues that require collaboration among various healthcare disciplines. A client with a spinal cord injury typically has complex care needs that involve multiple healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, and possibly surgeons or neurologists. The coordination of care for a client with a spinal cord injury often requires input and collaboration from various healthcare team members, making an interprofessional conference valuable.
Choice B Reason:
A torn rotator cuff may require physical therapy and orthopedic consultation but may not require the same level of multidisciplinary collaboration as a spinal cord injury.
Choice C Reason:
Acute appendicitis typically involves surgical intervention but may not require the same degree of ongoing interprofessional collaboration as other complex conditions.
Choice D Reason:
A urinary tract infection is a common and relatively straightforward condition that is usually managed by nurses and primary care providers without extensive interprofessional conferences.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This response acknowledges the client's request and demonstrates the nurse's willingness to accommodate her preferences. By offering to request a female nurse, the nurse shows respect for the client's autonomy and strives to meet her comfort and emotional needs.
The nurse should communicate this request to the appropriate individuals involved in the assignment process, such as the nurse manager or charge nurse, to ensure that the client's preferences are considered and addressed to the best of their ability.
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