A nurse recognizes a change in a colleague's behavior and suspects the nurse is practicing while chemically impaired.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Ask the colleague if he is impaired.
Notify the nurse manager.
Contact risk management.
Confront the colleague directly about the suspicion.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Directly asking a colleague if they are impaired is not the most appropriate initial action as it can lead to defensiveness or denial and may not effectively address the safety concerns. The priority is patient safety, which requires reporting to a higher authority who can intervene objectively and professionally.
Choice B rationale
Notifying the nurse manager is the most appropriate action. The nurse manager has the responsibility and authority to address concerns about a chemically impaired colleague. They can initiate the proper procedures, including investigation, intervention, and referral to employee assistance programs, ensuring patient safety and colleague support.
Choice C rationale
Contacting risk management is not the immediate first step. While risk management might become involved later, the direct supervisor or nurse manager is the initial point of contact for personnel issues that pose a potential risk to patient safety. The manager can then involve other departments as needed.
Choice D rationale
Confronting the colleague directly about the suspicion is generally not advisable. This approach can be confrontational, potentially escalating the situation without resolving the underlying issue. It may also violate professional boundaries and lacks the formal authority needed for effective intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Certifications are not a mechanism for healthcare organizations to ensure continued licensure. Nursing licensure is typically managed by state boards of nursing, which set requirements for renewal, often including continuing education credits. While certifications demonstrate ongoing professional development, they do not directly equate to or guarantee continued licensure from regulatory bodies.
Choice B rationale
Certifications are indeed formal recognitions of advanced knowledge and specialized skills within a particular area of nursing practice. They signify that a nurse has met specific criteria, often including experience, education, and passing a rigorous examination, demonstrating expertise beyond general licensure. This validates competency in a defined specialty, benefiting both the nurse and patient care.
Choice C rationale
While the overall goal of professional regulation and various healthcare initiatives is to protect the public, certifications primarily serve as a professional credential for nurses, acknowledging specialized expertise. Public protection is broadly ensured through licensure, professional standards, and quality improvement measures within healthcare systems. Certifications enhance care quality but are not the primary direct mechanism for public protection.
Choice D rationale
Certifications are generally not a mandatory requirement for all registered nurses to maintain their license. Licensure renewal typically involves fulfilling continuing education units and adherence to professional conduct standards, as determined by the state board of nursing. Certifications are voluntary and represent a commitment to specialized professional growth rather than a universal licensure prerequisite.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Delaying documentation until approved by a charge nurse suggests a lack of confidence in one's own clinical judgment and assessment skills. Confident nurses document findings accurately and promptly based on their independent assessments, taking accountability for their observations and interventions within their scope of practice.
Choice B rationale
Gathering supplies before entering a client's room to insert an indwelling urinary catheter demonstrates preparedness, efficiency, and confidence. This action reflects proactive planning and a clear understanding of the procedure, minimizing interruptions and ensuring a smooth, competent execution of the task, thereby exhibiting self-assurance in one's abilities.
Choice C rationale
Redirecting the conversation when a client asks about the dying process indicates discomfort or a lack of confidence in addressing sensitive topics. A confident nurse would engage in open, empathetic communication, providing accurate information and emotional support, even when discussing difficult subjects, demonstrating professional composure and compassion.
Choice D rationale
Asking a colleague to perform a skill the nurse is unfamiliar with is a responsible and ethical action, reflecting an awareness of one's limitations, but it does not demonstrate confidence in performing the skill itself. Confidence is shown in the willingness to learn and seek guidance, but directly performing the unfamiliar skill is not implied.
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