A nurse on an inpatient care unit is working to help reduce unit costs. Which of the following actions is appropriate to include in the cost-containment plan?
Store opened bottles of normal saline in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours
Wait to dispose of sharps containers until they are completely full
Use clean gloves rather than sterile gloves for colostomy care
Return unused supplies from the bedside to the unit’s supply stock
The Correct Answer is C
A. Opened bottles of normal saline should be discarded after 24 hours to prevent contamination, even if stored in a refrigerator. Keeping them longer could increase the risk of infection, making this practice unsafe.
B. Sharps containers should be disposed of when they are three-quarters full, not completely full, to prevent needlestick injuries and ensure staff safety. This is a critical safety measure, not an appropriate cost-containment strategy.
C. Using clean gloves rather than sterile gloves for colostomy care is an appropriate cost-saving measure without compromising care. Clean gloves are sufficient for this procedure and help reduce unnecessary use of sterile supplies, which are more expensive.
D. Unused supplies from the bedside should not be returned to the supply stock due to infection control protocols. Once supplies have been taken to the bedside, they are considered contaminated and should be disposed of, not reused.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Root cause analysis: Root cause analysis is used to investigate the underlying causes of errors or adverse events, rather than comparing performance metrics between different units or organizations.
b. Benchmarking: Benchmarking involves comparing performance metrics, such as medication error rates, against those of other similar units or organizations to identify areas for improvement and best practices.
c. Risk benefit analysis: Risk benefit analysis involves weighing the potential risks and benefits of a particular course of action, such as a medical intervention, to make informed decisions. It is not directly related to comparing performance metrics.
d. Structure audit: Structure audit involves assessing the physical or organizational aspects of healthcare delivery, such as the availability of resources or adherence to protocols, which is not specifically addressed in the scenario.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. While unfortunate, a minor burn from spilling coffee does not present an ethical dilemma.
b. This situation involves a conflict between parental authority and the adolescent's autonomy, representing an ethical dilemma.
c. This situation may involve ethical considerations, such as whether to report the error, but it does not inherently involve conflicting moral principles.
d. Operating on the wrong side of the body represents a medical error rather than an ethical dilemma.
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