A patient, while smoking in the bathroom, disposed of a cigarette into a wastepaper basket, causing it to start smoldering. What should be the nurse’s top priority in this situation?
Activate the fire alarm.
Move any clients in the immediate vicinity.
Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Close the fire doors on the unit.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Activate the fire alarm. The nurse’s top priority in this situation should be to activate the fire alarm. This action ensures that the entire facility is alerted to the fire, allowing for a coordinated and timely response. Activating the fire alarm initiates the emergency protocols, including evacuation procedures and the arrival of the fire department. This step is crucial because it addresses the safety of all individuals in the facility, not just those in the immediate vicinity of the fire. By activating the fire alarm, the nurse ensures that everyone is aware of the danger and can take appropriate action to protect themselves.
Choice B Reason:
Move any clients in the immediate vicinity. While moving clients in the immediate vicinity is important, it is not the top priority. This action addresses the safety of those closest to the fire but does not alert the rest of the facility to the danger. Without activating the fire alarm first, other staff members and clients may remain unaware of the fire, potentially putting more people at risk. Therefore, while moving clients is a necessary step, it should follow the activation of the fire alarm to ensure a comprehensive response to the emergency.
Choice C Reason:
Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire is a valid action, but it should not be the nurse’s top priority. Attempting to extinguish the fire without first alerting others can be dangerous, especially if the fire spreads quickly or if the nurse is unable to control it. Activating the fire alarm ensures that help is on the way and that evacuation procedures are initiated. Once the fire alarm is activated, the nurse can then attempt to use a fire extinguisher if it is safe to do so.
Choice D Reason:
Close the fire doors on the unit. Closing the fire doors is an important step in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading. However, this action should come after the fire alarm has been activated. Closing the fire doors without alerting others to the fire may delay the overall response and evacuation efforts. By activating the fire alarm first, the nurse ensures that everyone is aware of the fire and can take appropriate actions, including closing fire doors as part of the containment strategy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A decline in the expenditure on medical supplies is generally considered a positive variance, as it indicates that the actual costs were lower than the budgeted costs. This reduction in spending can be beneficial for the budget, assuming it does not negatively impact patient care. Therefore, it does not exemplify a negative variance.
Choice B Reason:
An excess of nurses accessible on a specific day might indicate overstaffing, which can lead to higher labor costs than budgeted. However, this scenario does not directly indicate a negative variance unless it results in a budget shortfall due to increased expenses. The context of the question focuses on a shortfall, making this choice less relevant.
Choice C Reason:
A rise in patient satisfaction ratings is a positive outcome and does not relate to budget variances. While important for overall quality of care, patient satisfaction ratings do not directly impact the financial aspects of the budget. This choice does not exemplify a negative variance.
Choice D Reason:
Fewer nurses working than originally planned exemplifies a negative variance because it indicates understaffing, which can lead to compromised patient care and increased workload for the remaining staff. This situation often arises from budget constraints or mismanagement, leading to a shortfall in the budget. It directly reflects the negative impact on staffing and budget planning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Data systems offer supplementary documentation for adverse events that staff may not be able to provide. While data systems can enhance documentation and provide valuable information, the primary objective of deploying suitable technology in this context is to prevent adverse events. Supplementary documentation alone does not directly prevent adverse events but rather helps in understanding and analyzing them after they occur.
Choice B Reason:
Physiologic monitoring systems allow for the identification of early changes prior to the occurrence of an adverse event. This is the most accurate description of the objective. These systems continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and other physiological parameters, providing real-time data that can alert healthcare providers to early signs of deterioration. By identifying these changes early, interventions can be made promptly to prevent adverse events, thereby improving patient safety and outcomes.
Choice C Reason:
Frequently, patient data documentation is difficult to read, leading to misinterpretation. While this is a valid concern, it is not the primary focus of deploying patient surveillance systems. The objective is to prevent adverse events, and while improving documentation readability can contribute to better care, it does not directly address the prevention of adverse events through early detection and intervention.
Choice D Reason:
Mistakes made by humans play a significant role in causing adverse events. This statement is true, as human error is a common factor in adverse events. However, the deployment of suitable technology, such as physiologic monitoring systems, aims to mitigate these errors by providing continuous monitoring and early warning signs. The focus is on preventing adverse events through technology that supports human decision-making and reduces the likelihood of errors.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.