A client who is febrile is admitted to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. In accordance with the care pathway, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Which of the following situations requires the nurse to complete a variance report with regard to the care pathway?
An allergy to penicillin required an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed.
Antibiotic therapy was initiated 2 hr after implementation of the care pathway.
The route of antibiotic therapy on the care pathway was changed from IV to PO.
A blood culture was obtained after antibiotic therapy had been initiated.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is: d.
Choice A reason: An allergy to penicillin requiring an alternative antibiotic to be prescribed is a common and expected variation in care. Allergies are patient-specific factors that must be accommodated within the care pathway. The need for an alternative antibiotic does not typically constitute a variance that requires reporting, as adjustments for allergies are part of personalized care planning.
Choice B reason: Initiating antibiotic therapy 2 hours after implementation of the care pathway may not require a variance report if it falls within the acceptable time frame for antibiotic administration. The timing of antibiotic therapy can be critical, but slight deviations are often accounted for within the care pathway guidelines. However, if the care pathway specifies a narrower time frame for initiation, then this could be a reportable variance.
Choice C reason: Changing the route of antibiotic therapy from IV to PO (oral) is a clinical decision that may be based on the patient's condition, progress, and ability to tolerate oral medications. This switch is a part of antimicrobial stewardship and is often encouraged when clinically appropriate to reduce IV line use and potential complications. It is a standard practice and does not typically require a variance report unless the change contradicts a specific protocol in the care pathway.
Choice D reason: Obtaining a blood culture after the initiation of antibiotic therapy is a significant variance from the standard care pathway. Blood cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics to accurately identify the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities. Starting antibiotics before obtaining blood cultures can reduce the likelihood of growing the bacteria in the culture, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This is a deviation from the standard of care that requires a variance report.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because checking on a client whose telemetry monitor is continuously beeping is a task that requires nursing judgment and assessment skills. The nurse should not delegate this task to the AP, but rather perform it themselves or notify the health care provider.
Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because tagging a malfunctioning piece of equipment as broken is a task that does not involve direct client care or clinical decision making. The nurse can delegate this task to the AP, who can follow the facility's policy and procedure for reporting and removing faulty equipment.
Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because determining whether an oxygen flow meter is accurately set at 2 L/min via nasal cannula is a task that involves administering medication and monitoring the client's oxygenation status. The nurse should not delegate this task to the AP, but rather perform it themselves and document the results.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because instructing a client about the use of an incentive spirometer is a task that involves providing client education and evaluating the client's understanding and compliance. The nurse should not delegate this task to the AP, but rather perform it themselves and document the outcomes.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the first action the nurse preceptor should take to demonstrate appropriate time management. By determining the client care goals, the nurse preceptor can prioritize the most important and urgent tasks for each client and delegate appropriately.
Choice B reason: This is not the first action the nurse preceptor should take to demonstrate appropriate time management. Reviewing the client's new laboratory values is an important task, but it should be done after determining the client care goals and before completing the required tasks.
Choice C reason: This is not the first action the nurse preceptor should take to demonstrate appropriate time management. Completing the required tasks is an essential part of nursing care, but it should be done after determining the client care goals and reviewing the client's new laboratory values.
Choice D reason: This is not the first action the nurse preceptor should take to demonstrate appropriate time management. Documenting the assessment data is a vital part of nursing care, but it should be done after completing the required tasks and before the end of the shift.
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