A charge nurse observes that a staff nurse's behavior has changed over the past few weeks. Which of the following behaviors should the charge nurse identify as an indication that the staff nurse might be working while impaired?

Spends free time conversing with other staff at the nurses' station.

Frequent use of restroom.

Depends on other nurses to administer pain medication to their clients.

Delegates tasks to assistive personnel.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Answer is b. Frequent use of restroom.

a. Spends free time conversing with other staff at the nurses' station: Socializing with colleagues during free time at the nurses' station is a common and acceptable behavior in many healthcare settings. While excessive socializing could potentially interfere with productivity, it does not necessarily indicate impairment. Engaging in conversations with coworkers can serve as a stress-reliever and contribute to a supportive work environment, rather than being a sign of impairment.

b. Frequent use of restroom: Correct. Frequent restroom use can be a red flag for substance abuse or other health issues. Individuals who are working while impaired may frequently visit the restroom to use drugs, manage their effects, or experience side effects of substance use. This behavior may be a tactic to conceal substance abuse from coworkers or supervisors, as frequent restroom breaks could be perceived as a normal bodily function. Therefore, the charge nurse should pay close attention to staff members who exhibit a pattern of frequent restroom use, especially if there are other signs of impairment or behavior changes.

c. Depends on other nurses to administer pain medication to their clients: While relying on other nurses to administer pain medication to clients could potentially raise concerns about the staff nurse's competence or workload management, it does not necessarily indicate impairment. There could be various reasons for a nurse to delegate medication administration tasks, such as being assigned to other critical tasks, adhering to hospital policies, or seeking assistance during busy periods. Without further evidence or observation of impaired behavior, depending on others to administer medications cannot be solely attributed to working while impaired.

d. Delegates tasks to assistive personnel: Delegating tasks to assistive personnel is a standard nursing practice and does not inherently suggest impairment. Nurses often delegate tasks to other healthcare team members, including certified nursing assistants or patient care technicians, to ensure efficient and effective patient care delivery. Delegation is guided by nursing standards, patient acuity, and the scope of practice of assistive personnel. Therefore, observing a nurse delegating tasks alone is not sufficient evidence to suspect impairment.

In summary, the correct answer is b because frequent use of the restroom can be indicative of substance abuse or other health issues, especially when observed in conjunction with other signs of impairment or behavior changes. The charge nurse should carefully monitor and investigate any concerning behaviors displayed by staff nurses to ensure patient safety and provide appropriate support and intervention.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is b. Social services.

Choice A: Occupational therapy - This is incorrect because occupational therapy focuses on improving daily living and working skills, not providing wheelchairs.

Choice B: Social services - This is the correct answer. Discharge planning begins at admission and should prepare for the functional ability of the client. This includes whether they have caregivers at home, or if they’re in need of one. A referral for social services can be made as needed to address gaps in the clients support system or resources.

Choice C: Home health - This is incorrect because home health provides medical treatment, not equipment like wheelchairs.

Choice D: Physical therapy - This is incorrect because physical therapy helps improve mobility and strength, but does not provide wheelchairs.

A. Show the AP how to remove an indwelling urinary catheter. B. Review the AP's skill competency checklist. C. Ask the AP if they know how to remove an indwelling urinary catheter. D. Pair the newly hired AP with an experienced AP.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Showing the AP how to remove an indwelling urinary catheter may not provide sufficient evidence of their competency to perform the task safely and effectively. This approach assumes that observation alone is enough to determine competence, which is not necessarily the case. It's important to have a more structured assessment of the AP's skills.

Choice B rationale:

Reviewing the AP's skill competency checklist is the most appropriate action to ensure the AP is qualified to remove the indwelling urinary catheter. Competency checklists outline specific skills and steps required for a task, and they serve as a standardized way to assess the AP's capabilities. This process ensures that the AP has received proper training and has demonstrated competence before performing the procedure independently.

Choice C rationale:

Simply asking the AP if they know how to remove an indwelling urinary catheter is not a comprehensive method for verifying their qualifications. Self-assessment can be unreliable and may not accurately reflect the AP's actual skill level. Relying solely on self-reporting could compromise patient safety and quality of care.

Choice D rationale:

Pairing the newly hired AP with an experienced AP might provide some guidance, but it doesn't systematically assess the individual's competence. The level of experience of the experienced AP may vary, and their ability to teach or evaluate the new AP's skills may not be standardized.

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A charge nurse observes that a staff nurse's behavior has changed over the past few weeks. Which of the following behaviors should the charge nurse identify as an indication that the staff nurse might be working while impaired?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is developing a discharge plan for a client who is postoperative and will require a wheelchair in the home. The nurse should place a referral to which of the following resources to assist the client with this need?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse asks a newly hired assistive personnel (AP) to remove a client's indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure the AP is qualified to perform this task?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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