A client who is febrile is admitted to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. In accordance with the care pathway, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Which of the following situations requires the nurse to complete a variance report with regard to the care pathway?

An allergy to penicillin required an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed.

Antibiotic therapy was initiated 2 hr after implementation of the care pathway.

The route of antibiotic therapy on the care pathway was changed from IV to PO.

A blood culture was obtained after antibiotic therapy had been initiated.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is: d.

Choice A reason: An allergy to penicillin requiring an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed is a common and expected variation in care. Allergies are patient-specific factors that must be accommodated within the care pathway. The need for an alternative antibiotic does not typically constitute a variance that requires reporting, as adjustments for allergies are part of personalized care planning.

Choice B reason: Initiating antibiotic therapy 2 hours after implementation of the care pathway may not require a variance report if it falls within the acceptable time frame for antibiotic administration. The timing of antibiotic therapy can be critical, but slight deviations are often accounted for within the care pathway guidelines. However, if the care pathway specifies a narrower time frame for initiation, then this could be a reportable variance.

Choice C reason: Changing the route of antibiotic therapy from IV to PO (oral) is a clinical decision that may be based on the patient's condition, progress, and ability to tolerate oral medications. This switch is a part of antimicrobial stewardship and is often encouraged when clinically appropriate to reduce IV line use and potential complications. It is a standard practice and does not typically require a variance report unless the change contradicts a specific protocol in the care pathway.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a blood culture after the initiation of antibiotic therapy is a significant variance from the standard care pathway. Blood cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics to accurately identify the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities. Starting antibiotics before obtaining blood cultures can reduce the likelihood of growing the bacteria in the culture, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This is a deviation from the standard of care that requires a variance report.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because low pain tolerance is not the most urgent issue to address. The client may experience some pain and discomfort after the surgery, but this can be managed with medication and non-pharmacological interventions. The nurse should educate the client on how to use pain scales, request pain relief, and apply ice packs or heat pads as needed.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because decreased self-esteem is not the most urgent issue to address. The client may have some negative feelings about their appearance or abilities after the surgery, but this can be improved with counseling and support groups. The nurse should encourage the client to express their emotions, focus on their strengths, and seek professional help if necessary.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because limited social support is not the most urgent issue to address. The client may have difficulty coping with the recovery process and the lifestyle changes required after the surgery, but this can be alleviated with community resources and referrals. The nurse should assess the client's social network, provide information on local agencies and organizations, and arrange for home health care or visiting nurses if needed.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because inadequate food supply is the most urgent issue to address. The client needs to have access to nutritious and balanced meals to promote healing and prevent complications after the surgery. The nurse should evaluate the client's food security, provide food vouchers or coupons, and connect the client with food banks or meal delivery services.

A. A client who is receiving heparin and has an aPTT of 34 seconds (30 to 40 seconds). B. A client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and uses an insulin pump. C. A client who has orthostatic hypotension and is receiving IV fluids, D. A client who is at risk for pressure injuries and has an albumin level of 4.2 g/dL (3.5 to 5 g/dL).

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The client’s aPTT is within the therapeutic range for heparin, so immediate interdisciplinary discussion is not required.

B. Clients using insulin pumps require coordination between the nurse, endocrinologist, and diabetes educator to ensure safe insulin administration and blood glucose management, making an interdisciplinary conference appropriate.

C. Orthostatic hypotension being managed with IV fluids can typically be addressed within routine nursing care without needing an interdisciplinary meeting.

D. The client’s albumin level is within normal limits, and risk for pressure injuries can be managed with standard nursing interventions without requiring a conference.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client who is febrile is admitted to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. In accordance with the care pathway, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Which of the following situations requires the nurse to complete a variance report with regard to the care pathway?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A case manager is preparing a discharge plan for a client following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Which of the following client issues should the nurse address first?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is managing the care of four clients. The nurse should schedule an interdisciplinary conference for which of the following clients?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse in the emergency department is preparing to care for a client who arrived via ambulance. The client is disoriented and has a cardiac arrhythmia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is planning to discharge a client who has terminal cancer and suggests that the family might benefit from respite services. When the client's partner asks how this service can help, which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

A client who is unconscious and has extensive internal injuries arrives via ambulance to the emergency department. The staff cannot reach the client's family. Which of the following permits the staff to proceed with emergency surgery?

A nurse manager is discussing critical pathway use during a staff meeting. Which of the following information should the nurse manager include as an outcome of critical pathway use?

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a hysterectomy and has signed the informed consent form. The client tells the nurse she is unsure about having the procedure. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

During a staff meeting, a unit manager reviews the results for documenting client education and finds that they are below the benchmark. Which of the following strategies should the nurse manager implement first?

A nurse is speaking with a visitor who asks a question about the status of a relative who is a client on the unit. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the purpose of interdisciplinary conferences. The nurse should identify that which of the following clients needs an interdisciplinary conference?