A nurse responds to the room of a client who is recovering from a cardiac arrest where CPR was performed. The client's child is distraught and tells the nurse that their parent has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) prescription in their medical record. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Report the occurrence to the nursing supervisor,
Complete an incident report stating the facts of the situation.
Verify the DNR prescription is current in the medical record.
Request a meeting with the ethics committee.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Report the occurrence to the nursing supervisor:
While reporting the occurrence is important, verifying the DNR status takes precedence. The nurse needs to gather information and confirm whether the patient has a current DNR order before escalating the issue to a higher authority.
B. Complete an incident report stating the facts of the situation:
Completing an incident report is a part of the process, but it should not be the first action. The immediate concern is to determine if the patient has a valid DNR order. An incident report can be completed later to document the situation and any actions taken.
C. Verify the DNR prescription is current in the medical record.
Verifying the DNR (do-not-resuscitate) prescription is the first and most immediate action the nurse should take. It is crucial to confirm the current status of the DNR order to ensure that the healthcare team is following the patient's wishes. If the DNR is indeed valid and up-to-date, it means the resuscitation efforts, including CPR, were contrary to the patient's expressed wishes.
D. Request a meeting with the ethics committee:
Contacting the ethics committee may be necessary depending on the circumstances, but it is not the first step. Verifying the DNR status is an immediate action that can guide subsequent decisions. If there are ethical concerns or conflicts, involving the ethics committee can be considered after confirming the facts surrounding the DNR order.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
Administer the medication twice daily.
Incorrect. The prescription specifies TID (three times daily), not twice daily.
Administer the medication as needed for pain.
Incorrect. The prescription provides specific dosing instructions (100 mg now, then 50 mg TID with food), and it is not meant for administration as needed.
Administer the medication 2 hr after meals.
Incorrect. The prescription specifies that indomethacin should be taken with food, so administering it 2 hours after meals is not in accordance with the instructions.
Administer a loading dose of 100 mg PO.
Incorrect. The initial dose of 100 mg is not considered a loading dose but rather the first dose in the prescribed regimen.
Administer the medication with a snack.
Correct. The prescription indicates that indomethacin should be taken with food. Administering
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The statement "Nonmaleficence is doing what is good for a client" is incorrect. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm." It means avoiding actions that could harm the patient and ensuring that the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks.
B. The statement "Fidelity means not doing anything that can harm the client" is partially correct. Fidelity is the ethical principle of faithfulness and keeping promises. It involves being loyal to patients and maintaining trust. While it is related to avoiding harm, it specifically emphasizes keeping commitments and being trustworthy.
C. The statement "Veracity means telling the truth and being honest" is correct. Veracity is the ethical principle of truth-telling and honesty. It involves providing accurate and complete information to patients, promoting transparency in communication.
D. The statement "Beneficence is being fair and impartial to a client" is incorrect. Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good for the patient, promoting their well-being, and advocating for their best interests. Fairness and impartiality are more aligned with the principle of justice.
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