The nurse is reviewing research articles about 'sentinel events' in health care.
Which is an example of a 'sentinel event?".

The nurse mistakenly calls the patient's daughter "your wife.”.

A surgical procedure performed on the wrong leg of a patient.

The surgical procedure is postponed by 30 minutes.

The nurse fails to raise the bed to a working height during patient care.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

The nurse mistakenly calling the patient's daughter "your wife" is a communication error but does not qualify as a sentinel event. Sentinel events are serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that result in significant harm or death to the patient. Miscommunication, while important to address, does not fall under the category of a sentinel event.

Choice B rationale:

A surgical procedure performed on the wrong leg of a patient is a classic example of a sentinel event. Wrong-site surgery is a serious medical error that can lead to severe consequences for the patient. Proper protocols and procedures, such as time-outs and site marking, are in place to prevent such incidents, making this a sentinel event that requires immediate investigation and analysis to prevent recurrence.

Choice C rationale:

The surgical procedure being postponed by 30 minutes, while potentially inconvenient, does not constitute a sentinel event. Delays in surgical schedules are not uncommon due to various reasons such as emergencies or the complexity of preceding procedures. While delays should be minimized, they do not necessarily result in patient harm or death, making them different from sentinel events.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse failing to raise the bed to a working height during patient care is a safety concern but does not qualify as a sentinel event. It is important for nurses to adhere to proper body mechanics and safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries. While this situation requires correction and education, it does not meet the criteria of a sentinel event.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

While a patient with left arm weakness may have some mobility limitations, it does not necessarily put them at the highest risk for falling compared to the other options provided.

Choice B rationale:

Needing glasses for reading small print does not directly indicate a high risk of falling. The patient can still have good overall mobility and balance.

Choice C rationale:

A confused patient experiencing nausea due to a head injury is at the highest risk for falling. Confusion impairs judgment and decision-making abilities, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Nausea can further destabilize the patient, making them prone to falls.

Choice D rationale:

Using grab bars in the hospital bathroom indicates that the patient is aware of their limitations and is taking precautions to prevent falls. This does not suggest a higher risk compared to a confused and nauseous patient.

A. The strength of the lower extremities. B. The patient's sense of balance. C. The presence of edema. D. The range of motion of the ankle. E. The status of the patient's skin turgor.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Assessing the strength of the lower extremities is one of the objectives of asking the patient to dorsiflex and plantarflex both feet against the nurse's hands. This action helps evaluate the muscle strength of the lower limbs, providing information about the patient's neuromuscular function.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the patient's sense of balance is another objective of this action. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion require coordination and balance. If the patient struggles to maintain balance while performing these movements, it could indicate issues with proprioception or neurological deficits.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing the presence of edema is not directly related to dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements. Edema assessment typically involves inspecting and palpating specific areas of the body, such as the ankles, to check for swelling, discoloration, and pitting.

Choice D rationale:

Evaluating the range of motion of the ankle joint is a key aspect of asking the patient to dorsiflex and plantarflex both feet against the nurse's hands. This action allows the nurse to observe how far the patient can move their ankles, providing valuable information about joint flexibility and function.

Choice E rationale:

Assessing the status of the patient's skin turgor involves checking the skin's elasticity and hydration level, usually by pinching and observing how quickly the skin returns to its normal position. This assessment is unrelated to the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements and is not applicable in this context.

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The nurse is reviewing research articles about 'sentinel events' in health care.Which is an example of a 'sentinel event?".

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for several patients on a medical unit.Which patient does the nurse identify as being most at risk for falling?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse asks the patient to dorsiflex and plantarflex both feet against the nurse's hands.What is the nurse assessing in whole, or part, with this action? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

The nurse is educating a patient about the use of a cane due to weakness of the left leg.Which statement by the patient would indicate teaching has been effective?

The nurse performs range of motion by moving the patient's leg toward the midline of the patient's body.This movement would be documented as what of the hip?

The nurse moves the patient's hand toward the inner aspect of the patient's forearm.This range of motion exercise would be documented as what of the wrist?

A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient with questions regarding end-of-life care options.The nurse provides an informational packet to the patient, and discusses the various care options available.The nurse is demonstrating which professional value?

Which intervention would be appropriate for a client with shortness of breath?

A nurse uses the SBAR method to give report about a patient to another unit in the hospital.What statement by the nurse would the nurse identify as the "situation" portion of the SBAR report?

A nurse has placed a patient in restraints and obtained doctor's orders for the restraint.Which action is appropriate for the nurse to conduct for a patient in restraints?

The nurse is reviewing research articles about 'sentinel events' in health care.
Which is an example of a 'sentinel event?".