A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is managing the care of four clients. The nurse should schedule an interdisciplinary conference for which of the following clients?
A client who has orthostatic hypotension and is receiving IV fluids
A client who has Type 1 diabetes and uses an insulin pump
A client who is at risk for pressure ulcers and has an albumin level of 4.2 g/dL
A client who is receiving heparin and has an aPTT of 34 seconds
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: This client does not need an interdisciplinary conference because their condition is not complex or chronic. The nurse can manage the client's care by monitoring their vital signs, fluid intake and output, and hydration status. The nurse can also educate the client on how to prevent orthostatic hypotension by changing positions slowly and wearing compression stockings.
Choice B reason: This client does not need an interdisciplinary conference because their condition is well-controlled and self-managed. The nurse can manage the client's care by checking their blood glucose levels, administering insulin as prescribed, and providing dietary and lifestyle education. The nurse can also collaborate with the diabetes educator or the endocrinologist if needed.
Choice C reason: Although this client is at risk for pressure ulcers, their albumin level is within the normal range, indicating adequate nutritional status. Low albumin levels are often associated with poor wound healing and increased risk of skin breakdown, but in this case, nutrition does not appear to be a concern. Preventive measures, such as regular repositioning, skin assessments, and pressure-relieving devices, can be implemented by nursing staff without requiring an interdisciplinary meeting.
Choice D reason: This client is the most appropriate candidate for an interdisciplinary conference. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is a critical lab value for monitoring heparin therapy, and a level of 34 seconds is below the therapeutic range. A subtherapeutic aPTT increases the risk of clot formation, indicating that the heparin dose may need to be adjusted. An interdisciplinary team, including the physician, pharmacist, nurse, and laboratory personnel, should collaborate to ensure safe and effective anticoagulation management. This conference would allow for a discussion on dosage adjustments, potential medication interactions, and continued monitoring to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Accompanying a client who just had a wound debridement to physical therapy is not a task that the nurse should assign to the LPN, as it requires the nurse to monitor the client's vital signs, wound status, and pain level. The nurse should accompany the client and delegate other tasks to the LPN or the assistive personnel.
Choice B reason: Providing postmortem care for a client who has just died is not a task that the nurse should assign to the LPN, as it requires the nurse to verify the death, notify the provider and the family, and document the care. The nurse should provide postmortem care and delegate other tasks to the LPN or the assistive personnel.
Choice C reason: Obtaining a urine specimen from an older adult client is not a task that the nurse should assign to the LPN, as it is a basic skill that the assistive personnel can perform. The nurse should assign this task to the assistive personnel and supervise their work.
Choice D reason: Reinforcing dietary teaching with a client who has heart disease is a task that the nurse should assign to the LPN, as it is within the LPN's scope of practice to reinforce the teaching that the nurse has initiated. The nurse should provide the initial teaching and evaluate the client's learning.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because training LPNs to reinforce teaching with clients using a standardized teaching plan is a possible solution, but not the first step. The nurse manager should first identify the root cause of the problem before implementing any interventions.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because including documentation of client education as part of unit nurses' annual performance evaluation is a way to monitor and evaluate the staff's performance, but not a way to improve it. The nurse manager should first address the barriers and challenges that prevent the staff from documenting client education effectively.
Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because determining factors that interfere with the documentation of client education is the first step in the quality improvement process. The nurse manager should use data analysis, staff feedback, and observation to find out the reasons for the low documentation results, such as lack of time, knowledge, skills, or resources.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because offering incentives for the staff once the unit's results are back in adherence with the benchmark is a way to motivate and reward the staff, but not a way to solve the problem. The nurse manager should first implement evidence-based strategies to improve the documentation of client education, such as providing education, feedback, and tools.
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