A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about advance directives.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
The provider will choose a client's health care surrogate.
The client can resume control of health care after a temporary loss of competency.
A health care surrogate must be a family member.
The provider can go against the client's wishes regarding advance directives.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
A healthcare surrogate, or proxy, is a person designated by the patient themselves through a legal document called a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The provider's role is to provide medical care, not to make legal decisions for the patient. The patient retains the autonomy to choose who will make decisions for them when they are unable to do so. This is a fundamental principle of patient self-determination and legal rights.
Choice B rationale
A patient's competency can fluctuate. In situations of temporary incapacity, such as during a surgical procedure with anesthesia or a period of severe illness, a health care surrogate may make decisions. However, once the patient regains competency and is able to make informed decisions for themselves, they automatically resume control of their health care. This is a core tenet of patient autonomy and the purpose of advance directives.
Choice C rationale
A healthcare surrogate does not have to be a family member. The person designated by the patient can be a friend, a partner, or any trusted individual. The only requirement is that the surrogate is an adult who is willing and able to make healthcare decisions on the patient's behalf. It is a legal designation, not a familial one, that is based on the patient's trust and personal wishes.
Choice D rationale
A provider is legally and ethically obligated to follow a patient's wishes as outlined in their advance directives, as long as those wishes are within the bounds of standard medical practice and are not medically futile. To go against a patient's documented wishes would be a violation of patient autonomy and a breach of the legal protections afforded by advance directives.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Applying petroleum jelly to the glans of the penis is an important step in the care of a newborn who has undergone a Gomco circumcision. This acts as a protective barrier to prevent the glans from sticking to the diaper, which can cause pain and disrupt the healing process. This is done with each diaper change for the first few days.
Choice B rationale
The yellow, sticky exudate that forms on the glans is a normal part of the healing process and is composed of fibrin and serum. Wiping it off can disrupt the healing tissue and increase the risk of bleeding and infection. The parent should be instructed to allow this exudate to fall off naturally.
Choice C rationale
Applying gentle pressure with a diaper is not an appropriate intervention. The area should be kept as free from pressure as possible to promote healing and reduce discomfort. Pressure could cause bleeding, pain, or damage to the delicate new tissue that is forming.
Choice D rationale
Alcohol is a harsh astringent that can cause significant pain and irritation to the sensitive, healing tissue of the glans. It can also dry out the skin, delaying the healing process. Only warm water should be used to clean the area during diaper changes. .
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Beginning ball-squeezing exercises is a correct instruction. These exercises, along with others like wall climbing, are essential to promote lymphatic drainage and restore range of motion in the arm on the affected side. Starting these early helps prevent the development of lymphedema, a common complication of mastectomy, by facilitating circulation and reducing fluid accumulation.
Choice B rationale
Wearing a bra with wire support is incorrect. Post-mastectomy, a client should be advised to wear a soft, supportive, and non-restrictive bra, preferably without underwire. Underwire can cause pressure and irritation on the incision site, potentially delaying healing and increasing the risk of lymphedema by compressing lymphatic vessels, which impedes the proper flow of lymph.
Choice C rationale
Avoiding using the affected arm for eating is incorrect. Gentle use of the affected arm for activities of daily living, such as eating and dressing, is encouraged early on to promote mobility and prevent stiffness. The key is to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting, but using the arm for routine tasks is beneficial for maintaining function and promoting recovery.
Choice D rationale
Using deodorant under the affected arm is incorrect. After a modified radical mastectomy, the client should be advised to avoid applying deodorant, lotions, or creams to the axilla on the surgical side. The skin in this area is often sensitive and prone to irritation, and these products can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and interfering with the healing process of the surgical site. .
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