A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is observing an assistive personnel (AP) provide care for a group of clients. Which of the following actions by the rag AP requires intervention by the nurse?
Ambulates a client who is 2 days postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty
Performs a simple dressing change on a client's foot wound
Measures the urinary output of a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter
Evaluates the effectiveness of the client's pain medication
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Ambulating a postoperative client is within the scope of practice for an AP, as long as the client is stable and the nurse has assessed them first. The AP can assist with mobility under the nurse’s supervision.
B. Performing a simple dressing change may be within the AP’s scope if it is a basic, non-sterile dressing. APs are allowed to perform routine hygiene or dressing tasks that do not require assessment or sterile technique.
C. Measuring urinary output is a routine task that APs can perform. The nurse is responsible for interpreting the measurements, but obtaining and recording output is appropriate delegation.
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication requires assessment, judgment, and clinical decision-making, which are nursing responsibilities. APs do not have the training or authority to determine if a client’s pain management is adequate or to make decisions about medication administration. This action requires immediate intervention by the nurse.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Documentation audits for use of clinical guidelines measure process compliance, not direct client outcomes. They help ensure protocols are followed but do not directly reflect improvement in health outcomes.
B. Percentage of completed client plans of care is also a process measure, assessing whether documentation tasks are completed, rather than whether clients’ health outcomes have improved.
C. Surgical site infection rates are a direct client outcome measure. A decrease in infection rates indicates that care interventions and quality improvement initiatives are effectively improving patient health outcomes. This measurement reflects the actual impact of nursing and medical care on patient safety and recovery.
D. Staffing ratio audits assess resource allocation and workload but do not directly measure patient health outcomes. While staffing affects outcomes indirectly, it is a structural measure rather than an outcome measure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The research participant is the only individual who can provide informed consent for participation in a study. This process ensures that the participant fully understands the purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and their rights, including the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Obtaining informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research practice and respects the autonomy and decision-making capacity of the participant. The nurse’s role includes educating the participant, clarifying questions, and ensuring understanding, but the ultimate decision lies with the participant.
B. A risk manager evaluates potential risks in healthcare settings and develops strategies to mitigate them. While they may provide consultation regarding safety or liability, they cannot provide consent on behalf of the client. Their role is administrative and preventive, not participatory in research decision-making.
C. The institutional review board (IRB) is responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure the safety and ethical treatment of participants. The IRB protects participants at the institutional level but does not enroll or consent individual participants.
D. The chair of the ethics committee provides guidance on ethical dilemmas and ensures that research practices adhere to ethical principles. However, like the IRB, they cannot substitute for the participant’s informed consent. Their role is advisory, not participatory in the consent process.
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