A nurse manager participates in a quality-improvement committee seeking to reduce the risk of sentinel events in a healthcare facility. When reviewing recently submitted incident reports, which of the following incidents should the nurse identify as a sentinel event?
The wrong operation was performed on a patient.
A client received an incorrect dose of medication, but it did not result in injury.
A patient complains that a nurse was rude and abrasive.
A nurse withholds a medication upon suspecting that the patient may be allergic to the drug.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
The wrong operation was performed on a patient. This incident is a clear example of a sentinel event. According to The Joint Commission, a sentinel event is a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm and requires immediate investigation. Performing the wrong operation on a patient is a serious error that can lead to significant harm or even death, making it a sentinel event.
Choice B Reason:
A client received an incorrect dose of medication, but it did not result in injury. While administering an incorrect dose of medication is a medication error, it does not qualify as a sentinel event if it does not result in harm. Sentinel events are defined by the severity of the outcome, and in this case, the lack of injury means it does not meet the criteria.
Choice C Reason:
A patient complains that a nurse was rude and abrasive. Although this behavior is unprofessional and can affect patient satisfaction and trust, it does not constitute a sentinel event. Sentinel events are related to significant harm or risk of harm to the patient, which is not the case here.
Choice D Reason:
A nurse withholds a medication upon suspecting that the patient may be allergic to the drug. This action is a precautionary measure taken to prevent potential harm and is not a sentinel event. In fact, it demonstrates good clinical judgment and adherence to patient safety protocols.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason
A strategic budget is used for long-term planning and aligning financial resources with the organization’s overall strategic goals. It involves setting financial objectives and allocating resources to achieve these goals over an extended period. While strategic budgets are crucial for guiding the organization’s direction, they do not typically cover specific equipment purchases like mechanical ventilators.
Choice B Reason
A capital budget is specifically designed for the purchase of durable goods and significant investments, such as new equipment, infrastructure improvements, or technology upgrades. Mechanical ventilators, being high-cost medical equipment, fall under this category. Capital budgets ensure that funds are allocated for essential investments that enhance the hospital’s ability to provide quality care.
Choice C Reason
An operating budget covers the day-to-day expenses of running a healthcare facility, including salaries, supplies, utilities, and other recurring costs. While operating budgets are essential for maintaining the facility’s daily operations, they do not typically include large, one-time purchases like mechanical ventilators.
Choice D Reason
A unit of service budget is used to allocate costs based on the volume of services provided, such as the number of patient visits or procedures performed. This type of budget helps in managing and predicting costs associated with specific services but is not used for purchasing high-cost equipment like mechanical ventilators.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Paid hours minus meeting time is not an accurate calculation for nonproductive hours. Meeting time is generally considered part of productive work hours, as it involves activities related to job responsibilities. Nonproductive hours typically refer to time when the employee is paid but not actively working, such as during vacations, holidays, or sick leave.
Choice B Reason:
Vacation time, holiday time, and sick time are the correct components of nonproductive hours. These are periods when employees are not performing their job duties but are still compensated. Calculating nonproductive hours accurately is essential for staffing schedules, as it helps in understanding the actual availability of staff for work and planning accordingly to ensure adequate coverage.
Choice C Reason:
Paid hours minus worked hours is a vague description and does not specifically identify the types of nonproductive hours. While it implies a difference between total paid hours and hours worked, it does not clearly define what constitutes nonproductive time. Nonproductive hours should be explicitly categorized, such as vacation, holiday, and sick time, to provide a clear understanding.
Choice D Reason:
Work time, educational time, and holiday time include both productive and nonproductive hours. Work time and educational time are generally considered productive, as they involve activities related to job performance and professional development. Only holiday time fits the definition of nonproductive hours. Therefore, this choice is not entirely accurate for calculating nonproductive hours.
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