The student nurse is reviewing topics related to laws that apply to nursing care.
The student nurse is correct in stating which one is the nurse's best defense if a patient alleges nursing negligence?

Choice A rationale:

Restrain the patient with a chemical sedative. Rationale: Restraints, especially chemical sedatives, should be avoided whenever possible due to the risk of complications and patient distress. Restraints can lead to decreased mobility, increased agitation, and other adverse effects. They should only be used as a last resort and with appropriate justification, such as ensuring patient or staff safety in emergency situations.

Choice B rationale:

Encourage the patient to use grab bars located near toilets and showers. Rationale: Installing grab bars in bathrooms helps prevent falls by providing support and stability for patients, especially those with mobility issues. Encouraging their use promotes patient independence and safety while performing essential activities of daily living.

Choice C rationale:

Place the call light within the patient's reach. Rationale: Placing the call light within the patient's reach ensures that the patient can easily summon assistance when needed. Prompt response to patient requests can prevent accidents and falls by addressing the patient's needs in a timely manner.

Choice D rationale:

Conduct rounds every four hours. Rationale: Conducting regular rounds allows healthcare providers to assess the patient's condition, address their needs, and identify potential fall risks. However, the specific frequency of rounds may vary based on the patient's condition and the healthcare facility's policies. Some patients may require more frequent monitoring, especially if they are at a higher risk of falling.

Choice E rationale:

Apply brakes on wheelchairs and beds. Rationale: Applying brakes on wheelchairs and beds prevents unintended movement, enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of falls. It ensures that the patient's mobility aids remain stationary, providing stability when the patient is transferring or repositioning.

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.