A charge nurse is providing an inservice for staff nurses on the use of new IV pumps.
Which of the following actions should the charge nurse take to best evaluate staff competency with the new equipment?

Increasing regular weight-bearing activities can help prevent osteoporosis by stimulating bone formation and improving muscle strength. Weight-bearing activities are those that make your bones and muscles work against gravity, such as walking, jogging, dancing, or lifting weights.

Choice A is wrong because protecting the client’s bones with strict bedrest can actually increase the risk of osteoporosis by reducing bone density and muscle mass. Bedrest should be avoided unless medically necessary.

Choice B is wrong because providing the client with assisted range of motion exercises twice daily is not enough to prevent osteoporosis. While these exercises can help maintain joint mobility and flexibility, they are not weight bearing and do not stimulate bone formation.

Choice C is wrong because decreasing the amount of calcium in the client’s diet can also increase the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium is an essential mineral for bone health and adults need 700mg a day, which can be obtained from foods such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, tofu, and dried fruit. Vitamin D is also important for bone health as it helps the body absorb calcium.

Allowing time during the workday when each nurse can demonstrate proficiency is the best way to evaluate staff competency with the new equipment. This method ensures that the nurses can perform the skills correctly and safely under the charge nurse’s supervision and feedback.

Choice A is wrong because verbally questioning the staff about the new equipment does not assess their practical skills or ability to use the equipment correctly.

Choice B is wrong because requiring each nurse to take a written examination about the new equipment does not assess their hands-on skills or ability to troubleshoot problems with the equipment.

Choice D is wrong because asking each nurse to read the procedure and sign a form acknowledging competency does not verify that the nurses have understood the procedure or can apply it in practice.

It also relies on the nurses’ honesty and self-assessment, which may not be accurate or reliable.