In the event of a death occurring within 24 hours of a patient being admitted to the emergency room, what is one of the necessary actions a nurse must take?
Schedule a follow-up appointment.
Ask the family about organ donation.
Call the patient's primary care physician.
Call the coroner
The Correct Answer is D
A. Schedule a follow-up appointment:
The patient is deceased - this action is irrelevant.
B. Ask the family about organ donation:
Organ donation may be discussed by designated personnel, but only after coroner notification if required. The nurse’s legal obligation is to report such deaths first.
C. Call the patient’s primary care physician:
This may be done later, but is not the legal priority in an unexpected or early ER death.
D. Call the coroner:
Unexplained or early deaths (especially within 24 hours of admission) must be reported to the coroner/medical examiner for investigation as required by law.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Increased lung compliance and increased oxygenation:
In ARDS, lung compliance is decreased, and oxygenation is impaired, especially in the exudative phase.
B. Normal lung compliance:
Lung compliance becomes reduced due to alveolar damage and stiffening.
C. Decreased capillary permeability and equal VQ matching:
The opposite occurs-capillary permeability increases, leading to pulmonary edema and V/Q mismatch.
D. Pulmonary edema and decreased oxygenation:
The injury/exudative phase (within 24 hours) is marked by capillary leak, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and hypoxemia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Insulin resistance, lactic acidosis, and liver dysfunction:
These are hallmark features of the hypermetabolic state seen in critically ill patients. Inflammatory mediators cause insulin resistance, impaired tissue oxygenation leads to lactic acidosis, and hepatic stress can result in liver dysfunction, including altered glucose metabolism and coagulation.
B. Decreased glucose utilization and improved cellular oxygenation:
Glucose utilization often increases due to stress hyperglycemia, while oxygenation is impaired due to cellular hypoxia.
C. Reduced metabolic rate and enhanced liver function:
The metabolic rate increases in response to systemic inflammation. Liver function is often compromised, not enhanced.
D. Increased insulin sensitivity and decreased lactic acid production:
The opposite occurs - insulin resistance increases and lactic acid accumulates due to anaerobic metabolism in hypoperfused tissues.
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