A nurse is reinforcing information with a nursing colleague about sentinel events. Which of the following statements by the nursing colleague indicates an understanding?
"An example of a sentinel event is administering incompatible blood products to a client."
"An example of a sentinel event is administering client medications 30 minutes late."
"An example of a sentinel event is documenting vital signs at the wrong time in the client’s electronic health record."
"An example of a sentinel event is administering a prescribed sedative to a client for insomnia."
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: A sentinel event is a serious adverse event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm to a patient. Administering incompatible blood products to a client is a sentinel event because it can cause fatal hemolytic reactions.
Choice B reason: Administering client medications 30 minutes late is not a sentinel event, unless it leads to a serious adverse outcome for the patient. Medication errors are common and preventable, and they should be reported and analyzed to improve patient safety.
Choice C reason: Documenting vital signs at the wrong time in the client’s electronic health record is not a sentinel event, unless it leads to a serious adverse outcome for the patient. Documentation errors are also common and preventable, and they should be corrected and avoided to ensure accurate and timely information.
Choice D reason: Administering a prescribed sedative to a client for insomnia is not a sentinel event, unless it leads to a serious adverse outcome for the patient. Sedatives are commonly used to treat insomnia, and they should be prescribed and administered with caution and monitoring⁵.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Telephone number is an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, telephone number is one of the approved patient identifiers that can be used to reliably identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended. Telephone number is a person specific identifier that is unlikely to be shared by another client.
Choice B reason: Room number is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, room number is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Room number is not a person specific identifier, but a location specific identifier that can change or be assigned to another client.
Choice C reason: Medical condition is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, medical condition is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Medical condition is not a person specific identifier, but a health specific identifier that can be common or vague among different clients.
Choice D reason: Home address is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, home address is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Home address is not a person specific identifier, but a place specific identifier that can be shared or changed by the client.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Use of restraints is not included in the outcome category, but in the process category. The process category measures the nursing interventions and activities that affect the client's health outcomes. Use of restraints is a nursing intervention that can have negative effects on the client's physical and psychological wellbeing, such as injuries, infections, agitation, and depression.
Choice B reason: Client admissions is not included in the outcome category, but in the structure category. The structure category measures the characteristics and resources of the health care setting that affect the quality of care. Client admissions is a characteristic that reflects the volume and complexity of the client population and the demand for nursing services.
Choice C reason: Hospital readmissions is included in the outcome category. The outcome category measures the results and consequences of the nursing care provided to the clients. Hospital readmissions is a result that indicates the effectiveness and continuity of the nursing care. A high rate of hospital readmissions can suggest poor quality of care, inadequate discharge planning, or lack of follow-up care.
Choice D reason: Staffing is not included in the outcome category, but in the structure category. The structure category measures the characteristics and resources of the health care setting that affect the quality of care. Staffing is a resource that reflects the quantity and quality of the nursing staff, such as the number, education, experience, and skill mix of the nurses.
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