A resident in a nursing home complains of constipation. The nurse checks the patient record and notes that he has not had a bowel movement in three days. She/he then performs a digital rectal exam and feels hard stool. Which part of the nursing process is this?
evaluation
assessment
nursing diagnosis
implementation
The Correct Answer is B
A. Evaluation:
Evaluation involves the assessment of a patient's response to nursing interventions and the effectiveness of the care plan. In this scenario, the nurse is not evaluating the patient's response to previous interventions but is rather in the process of conducting a new assessment.
B. Assessment:
This statement is correct. The nurse is in the assessment phase of the nursing process. She is collecting data by checking the patient's record, performing a physical examination (digital rectal exam), and noting the patient's complaint and signs of constipation (no bowel movement for three days, hard stool). Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves data collection to identify health problems and needs.
C. Nursing Diagnosis:
Nursing diagnosis involves analyzing the data collected during the assessment to identify actual or potential health problems. The nurse has not reached the stage of formulating a nursing diagnosis in this scenario; she is still gathering data.
D. Implementation:
Implementation is the phase of the nursing process where nursing interventions are carried out based on the nursing care plan. The nurse is not implementing interventions yet but is still in the process of data collection.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. History taking: This refers to the process of gathering information about a patient's medical history, including their symptoms, past illnesses, medications, and family history. It involves asking questions and actively listening to the patient's responses.
B. Palpation of an area: Palpation involves using the hands to feel the body's surface, usually to assess the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain organs or structures. For example, a healthcare provider might palpate the abdomen to feel for any abnormalities or tenderness.
C. Communication: Communication is a broad term that encompasses various aspects of interacting with a patient, including asking questions, active listening, providing explanations, and expressing empathy. Effective communication is crucial for building trust, understanding the patient's concerns, and delivering appropriate care.
D. Weighing of a patient: Weighing a patient is a specific measurement and is not a technique used for a physical examination. However, a patient's weight can be an essential piece of information in understanding their overall health and can be considered during the assessment process.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Comprehensive plan to allow patient access to medical records.
While electronic medical records (EMRs) do facilitate patient access to their medical information, the primary goal of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was broader. It aimed to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency through the promotion of health IT, including EMRs.
B. Comprehensive document of health care costs.
Although EMRs can include billing information, the main purpose of EMRs is to record clinical data for patient care and not specifically to document healthcare costs.
C. Comprehensive plan of care for all patients.
EMRs are tools used by healthcare providers to record patient information and manage healthcare delivery. While they can support the creation and management of care plans, their primary function is to store patient data electronically rather than generating care plans.
D. Correct comprehensive record of a patient's history and care across all facilities and admissions.
This statement best reflects the primary goal of the electronic medical record implementation. EMRs are designed to provide accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results, among other essential data. They ensure that this information is accessible to authorized healthcare providers across various facilities and admissions, improving continuity of care and patient safety.
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