A nurse manager is planning to teach staff about critical pathways. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include?
Critical pathways-should reduce health care costs.
Nurses should discontinue the critical pathway if variances occur.
Critical pathways have an unlimited timeframe for completion.
Nurses' notes are used to create the critical pathway.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Critical pathways should reduce health care costs. Critical pathways, also known as clinical pathways or care maps, are evidence-based, multidisciplinary plans that outline expected care and outcomes for specific conditions. They aim to improve care efficiency, reduce complications, and lower healthcare costs by standardizing care.
B. Nurses should discontinue the critical pathway if variances occur. Variances—deviations from the expected pathway—are documented and analyzed, not a reason to discontinue the pathway. They help identify areas for improvement or necessary adjustments in patient care.
C. Critical pathways have an unlimited timeframe for completion. Critical pathways are time-bound, with specific goals and milestones to be met within a set timeframe based on typical recovery patterns for the condition being treated.
D. Nurses' notes are used to create the critical pathway. Critical pathways are developed using evidence-based guidelines, expert consensus, and clinical research, not individual nurses’ progress notes. However, nurses do document progress and variances within the pathway.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Silence the bed alarm when visitors are at the client's bedside. Bed alarms are a critical safety device for clients on fall precautions and should never be silenced when the client is in bed, regardless of visitors. Alarms alert staff if the client attempts to get up unsafely.
B. Establish an elimination schedule for the client. A regular toileting schedule helps reduce the risk of falls by preventing unassisted attempts to get out of bed to use the bathroom. This proactive approach supports both safety and comfort.
C. Raise all four bed rails on the client's bed. Raising all four rails is considered a form of restraint and can actually increase the risk of injury if the client attempts to climb over them. Two rails up is generally acceptable for support and safety.
D. Allow the client to walk unassisted near the nursing station. Clients on fall precautions should always be supervised or assisted during ambulation to prevent accidents, even when close to staff. Being near the nursing station does not eliminate the risk.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm. While an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a serious vascular condition, it is not directly affected by localized heat therapy to an extremity such as the foot. However, heat should still be used cautiously near major vascular abnormalities.
B. Phlebitis. Heat therapy is often used to reduce inflammation and promote circulation in conditions like phlebitis. Although care must be taken, it is not an absolute contraindication and may actually be prescribed in some mild cases under supervision.
C. Osteoarthritis. Heat therapy is commonly used for osteoarthritis to relax muscles, improve joint mobility, and alleviate stiffness and discomfort. It is considered a beneficial and appropriate treatment modality for this condition.
D. Peripheral neuropathy. Clients with peripheral neuropathy may have impaired sensation, making them unable to detect excessive heat. This puts them at high risk for burns or thermal injury, making heat therapy a contraindication for safety reasons.
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