The nurse working on a mental health unit is prioritizing nursing care activities because of a staffing shortage. One practical nurse (PN) is on the unit with the nurse, and another RN is expected to arrive within two hours. Clients need to be awakened and morning medications need to be prepared. Which plan is best for the nurse to implement?
Wake all the clients and instruct them to go to dining area for medication administration.
Allow the clients to sleep until a third staff person can assist with unit activities.
Explain to the clients that it will be necessary to cooperate until another RN arrives.
Ask the PN to administer medications as clients are awakened so both nurses are available.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Wake all the clients and instruct them to go to dining area for medication administration: Waking all clients at once without adequate staffing may create safety risks and chaos, especially on a mental health unit where supervision is essential.
B. Allow the clients to sleep until a third staff person can assist with unit activities: Delaying medication administration could compromise timely treatment and therapeutic outcomes, making this an unsafe approach.
C. Explain to the clients that it will be necessary to cooperate until another RN arrives: While client communication is important, it does not address the immediate need for safe medication administration and supervision.
D. Ask the PN to administer medications as clients are awakened so both nurses are available: Delegating medication administration to the PN while clients are awakened in a staggered, controlled manner ensures timely delivery of medications, maintains client safety, and allows the nurse to supervise and manage the unit effectively during a staffing shortage.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","E","F"]
Explanation
Rationale for Correct Choices:
- The client reports he was able to sleep through the night: Adequate rest indicates improved comfort and effective pain management postoperatively.
- The left arm is warm to touch: Warmth confirms adequate circulation and tissue perfusion following surgery.
- The client's left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric: Symmetry suggests proper surgical alignment and absence of acute displacement or swelling.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
- Continued numbness in the left arm, tingling, and inability to move fingers: These findings raise concern for possible neurovascular compromise or prolonged effects of the nerve block.
- Mild nausea and lack of desire to eat breakfast: This can be a transient side effect of anesthesia or analgesics but requires monitoring for persistence.
- A 3 cm × 5 cm area of blood noted on the bandage: Postoperative dressings should have minimal drainage, so this amount of blood warrants assessment for active bleeding or hematoma formation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Palpate flank area: Flank assessment may help detect kidney tenderness or infection but is not the primary focus for routine suprapubic catheter care unless complications are suspected.
B. Assess perineal area: The suprapubic catheter bypasses the perineal route, so routine perineal assessment is less critical for catheter management, though general hygiene remains important.
C. Measure abdominal girth: Abdominal girth measurement is useful for detecting ascites or abdominal distention but is not directly relevant to monitoring a suprapubic catheter.
D. Observe insertion site: Regular inspection of the catheter insertion site is essential to detect signs of infection, leakage, irritation, or improper placement. This assessment helps ensure catheter function and prevents complications, making it the priority during home visits.
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