A nurse manager has asked other nurses to contribute to the performance appraisal of a newly licensed nurse.

Exhibits

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the need for further nurse development related to Time Management, Delegation, or Professional Behavior. Each finding may support more than 1 assessment finding.

Rationale:

A. Palpate for possible bladder distention is a task that requires nursing assessment skills and should be done by the nurse.

B. Observe the incision site is a nursing task that involves assessing for signs of complications.

C. Change the abdominal dressing requires sterile technique and should be done by a nurse to prevent infection and ensure proper care.

D. Obtain vital signs is within the AP’s scope of practice and is a task that can be delegated. It is important for monitoring the client’s status and identifying potential issues.

Rationale:

A. Applying restraints to prevent an alert, oriented client from leaving AMA: This is an example of false imprisonment, not negligence.

B. Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonably prudent nurse would under similar circumstances. Notifying the provider hours after discovering absent peripheral pulses shows a delay in appropriate action, which can lead to serious complications (e.g., compartment syndrome, tissue ischemia). This failure to act promptly meets the definition of negligence.

C. Administering medication without the client’s knowledge after refusal: This constitutes battery, as it involves intentional, unauthorized physical contact.

D. Threatening to apply restraints if the client continues eating chips: This is assault, since it is a threat of harm without physical contact.