Which of the following statements accurately describes when brain death criteria is met in a potential organ donor?

Choice A rationale

Atraumatic care focuses on minimizing physical and psychological distress for both the client and their caregivers. By employing strategies such as therapeutic play, age-appropriate explanations, and parental involvement, it reduces fear, anxiety, and stress responses, which can negatively impact physiological outcomes and coping mechanisms. This approach promotes a sense of security and control.

Choice B rationale

Atraumatic care aims to *enhance* client and caregiver control, not remove it. Empowering clients and families by providing information, involving them in decision-making, and respecting their preferences is a core principle. This approach fosters a sense of partnership and autonomy, which inherently reduces feelings of helplessness and stress, improving overall well-being.

Choice C rationale

By minimizing emotional and physical distress, atraumatic care helps to reduce the physiological stress response, including the release of cortisol and catecholamines. This reduction in stress mediators can improve immune function and reduce inflammation, thereby promoting a more conducive environment for healing and recovery, leading to potentially faster resolution of illness or injury.

Choice D rationale

Atraumatic care often requires *more* time initially from nurses to establish rapport, provide thorough explanations, engage in therapeutic play, and involve families in care. While it can lead to improved long-term outcomes and potentially fewer complications, its immediate implementation involves an investment of time to ensure comfort and understanding, not a reduction.

Choice A rationale

A ventilator-dependent patient requires complex and specialized respiratory care, including ventilator management, suctioning, and frequent assessments for complications such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. This level of care demands advanced knowledge and experience in critical care, which a nurse with only six months of experience floated from a surgical unit may not possess, potentially compromising patient safety.

Choice B rationale

A patient recently returned from a bronchoscopy and biopsy is at risk for immediate post-procedure complications such as hemorrhage, pneumothorax, or respiratory distress. These potential acute events require prompt and skilled assessment, intervention, and monitoring, which necessitate an experienced nurse with a strong understanding of respiratory physiology and post-procedural care, beyond what a novice nurse might have.

Choice C rationale

A patient on airborne precautions for tuberculosis requires meticulous adherence to infection control protocols to prevent disease transmission. This includes proper use of N95 respirators, negative pressure rooms, and visitor management. While important, managing airborne precautions is a critical skill. However, a nurse with only six months of experience and floated from a surgical unit may not have sufficient experience with medical unit patient acuity or the complexities of managing a communicable disease.

Choice D rationale

Teaching about incentive spirometry is a routine and relatively low-risk intervention, focusing on patient education and demonstrating proper technique. This task aligns well with the skill set of a nurse with six months of experience, even if floated from another unit, as it does not typically involve complex assessments or high-acuity interventions, making it an appropriate assignment for skill reinforcement and patient engagement.