In your role as the head nurse responsible for choosing patient surveillance systems for your unit, one of your objectives is to prevent adverse events by deploying suitable technology. This specific objective acknowledges that:

Choice A Reason:

I should promote the idea of clients getting an annual flu vaccination. Promoting annual flu vaccinations is a cost-saving measure because it helps prevent the flu, which can lead to serious health complications and hospitalizations. By encouraging clients to get vaccinated, nurses can reduce the incidence of flu-related illnesses, thereby decreasing healthcare costs associated with treating these conditions. This preventive approach aligns with cost-saving strategies in client care.

Choice B Reason:

I need to delay emptying my client’s drainable colostomy until it’s three-fourths full. Delaying the emptying of a drainable colostomy until it is three-fourths full is not a recommended practice. It can lead to leakage, skin irritation, and other complications. Proper and timely management of colostomies is essential for maintaining client comfort and preventing additional healthcare costs related to complications.

Choice C Reason:

I should suggest that my clients with a permanent tracheostomy practice sterile technique when performing ostomy care at home. While sterile technique is important in certain clinical settings, it is not typically required for routine tracheostomy care at home. Teaching clients proper clean technique is usually sufficient and more practical for home care. This statement does not demonstrate an understanding of cost-saving methods, as it may unnecessarily increase costs and complexity for clients.

Choice D Reason:

I ought to assign the task of administering closed irrigation to the assistive personnel (AP). Administering closed irrigation is a task that requires specific knowledge and skills, and it may not be appropriate to delegate this to assistive personnel. Proper delegation involves ensuring that tasks are assigned to individuals with the appropriate training and competency. This statement does not reflect an understanding of safe and cost-effective delegation practices.

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.