A nurse preceptor is observing a newly licensed nurse caring for a client on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse requires further instruction by the preceptor?
The nurse places the client in a semi-Fowler’s position for a postoperative assessment.
The nurse auscultates the client’s lungs without lifting the gown.
The nurse administers an enema without checking the client’s chart for contraindications.
The nurse checks the client’s vital signs before administering a cardiac medication.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Placing the client in semi-Fowler’s position for postoperative assessment is appropriate, promoting lung expansion and reducing aspiration risk. This aligns with standard care, supporting respiratory function and comfort, requiring no further instruction as it reflects safe, evidence-based practice.
Choice B reason: Auscultating lungs without lifting the gown may reduce clarity but is not unsafe. It preserves modesty and is acceptable if effective. While lifting the gown is preferred, this action poses minimal risk, requiring less instruction compared to errors with immediate safety implications.
Choice C reason: Administering an enema without checking for contraindications, like bowel obstruction, risks complications such as perforation. This reflects poor assessment, necessitating instruction to ensure the nurse verifies patient safety and chart details before invasive procedures to prevent harm.
Choice D reason: Checking vital signs before cardiac medication is correct, ensuring safety (e.g., withholding beta-blockers for low heart rate). This follows pharmacological protocols, requiring no instruction, as it demonstrates competence in safe medication administration practices on a medical-surgical unit.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Using a mechanical lift for a 136 kg client unable to assist ensures safety for both client and nurse. Lifts prevent injury by supporting the client’s weight, reducing strain on staff. This adheres to safe patient handling guidelines, minimizing risks of falls or musculoskeletal injuries during transfer.
Choice B reason: Asking another nurse to assist is insufficient for a 136 kg client unable to help, as manual lifting risks injury to staff and client. Mechanical lifts are required for heavy or non-assistive clients to ensure safety, making this option inadequate and unsafe for the transfer scenario described.
Choice C reason: Positioning the client upright before transfer is impractical for a non-assistive client weighing 136 kg, as it requires significant manual effort and risks injury. Mechanical lifts are needed to safely move such clients, ensuring stability and preventing falls, making this action inappropriate for the transfer.
Choice D reason: A sliding board is unsuitable for a 136 kg client unable to assist, as it requires some patient cooperation and strength. It risks injury to staff and client due to the client’s weight and inability to participate. Mechanical lifts are the safer, recommended method for this transfer.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Warming blood products prevents hypothermia during transfusion but is not the priority in a trauma patient. Airway management takes precedence, as oxygenation is critical to survival. Administering blood products comes later in the trauma algorithm, after securing the airway and stabilizing breathing, making this action secondary.
Choice B reason: Establishing a patent oral airway is the first priority in trauma care, following the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). A clear airway ensures oxygenation, critical for preventing hypoxia in a patient with multiple injuries. Without a patent airway, other interventions are ineffective, as oxygen delivery is essential for survival and organ function.
Choice C reason: Creating a sterile field for wound care is important to prevent infection but is not the first priority in a trauma patient. Airway and breathing take precedence, as immediate life-threatening issues like hypoxia or shock must be addressed before wound care, making this action lower in priority.
Choice D reason: Administering IV fluids to maintain blood pressure is part of the circulation phase in trauma care but follows airway and breathing stabilization. Without a patent airway, fluid administration cannot address hypoxia, a primary cause of mortality in trauma. This action is secondary to ensuring airway patency.
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