A newly licensed nurse is floating to an unfamiliar unit and determines that he does not have sufficient experience to safely care for his assigned clients. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Notify the risk manager.
Request that the charge nurse modify the assignment.
Document the concern in the nurse's notes.
Accept the assignment with help from assistive personnel on the unit.
The Correct Answer is B
A. While notifying the risk manager might be appropriate if there is an ongoing pattern of safety concerns or systemic issues, it is not the most immediate or direct way to address the immediate concern of the nurse's inability to safely care for clients in an unfamiliar unit.
B. The charge nurse has the authority to modify assignments and can reassign clients or adjust responsibilities based on the nurse's experience and competency. By communicating the concern to the charge nurse, the newly licensed nurse can ensure that clients receive safe and effective care, and the charge nurse can make adjustments to better align the assignment with the nurse's experience level.
C. Documenting the concern in the nurse's notes is important for record-keeping but does not address the immediate need for reassignment or adjustments. Documentation is useful for future reference or to support any formal complaints or reviews but does not solve the current issue of inadequate experience for the assigned tasks.
D. Accepting the assignment while relying on assistive personnel may compromise patient safety if the nurse does not have the necessary experience. Although assistive personnel can provide support, they cannot substitute for the nurse's clinical judgment and skills.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While a dietitian is crucial for managing nutritional needs, which can be affected by a stroke, they are not the primary professional to address mobility issues. The dietitian would be more relevant if there were concerns about nutritional intake or swallowing difficulties related to the stroke.
B. A social worker plays a key role in providing support related to social, emotional, and financial aspects of care. They help with discharge planning, access to community resources, and addressing psychosocial issues. While important, they are not primarily focused on physical rehabilitation or mobility issues.
C. An occupational therapist assists clients with regaining the ability to perform daily activities and can help with adaptive techniques and equipment for improving independence. While they can address some mobility issues, their primary focus is on activities of daily living (ADLs) and fine motor skills rather than gross motor skills related to walking.
D. A physical therapist is specifically trained to address mobility issues, improve strength, balance, and coordination, and help clients with walking difficulties. They design and implement rehabilitation programs that are essential for clients recovering from a stroke and having trouble walking.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Unilateral ptosis (drooping of one eyelid) is typically related to neuromuscular or neurological issues affecting the eye muscles or nerves, such as those seen in conditions like Horner's syndrome or cranial nerve palsies. While it indicates neurological involvement, it does not specifically pertain to speech or swallowing functions, which are the primary concerns for a speech-language pathologist.
B. An altered level of consciousness (e.g., confusion, drowsiness, or disorientation) can affect overall functional ability and cognitive function but is not directly related to the specific role of speech-language pathology. This finding indicates a need for a broader neurological or medical evaluation rather than a specialized focus on communication or swallowing.
C. While diminished hand-to-mouth coordination can affect feeding and self-care, it is more related to occupational or physical therapy. Speech-language pathologists focus on issues specifically related to communication and swallowing.
D. An impaired voluntary cough is relevant to speech-language pathology because it can be indicative of swallowing difficulties and potential risk for aspiration. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat swallowing disorders (dysphagia) and difficulties with managing oral intake safely.
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