Which scenario best illustrates the nurse using data validation when making a nursing clinical decision for a patient?
The nurse determines to remove a wound dressing when the patient reveals the time of the last dressing change and notices old and new drainage.
The nurse administers pain medicine due at 1700 at 1600 because the patient reports increased pain and the family wants something done.
The nurse immediately asks the health care provider for an order of potassium when a patient reports leg cramps.
The nurse elevates a leg cast when the patient reports decreased mobility.
The Correct Answer is A
A. The nurse determines to remove a wound dressing when the patient reveals the time of the last dressing change and notices old and new drainage. This is correct because data validation involves verifying information before taking action. The nurse gathers subjective data from the patient (time of last dressing change) and objective data (drainage) before making a clinical decision.
B. The nurse administers pain medicine due at 1700 at 1600 because the patient reports increased pain and the family wants something done. This is incorrect because the nurse has not validated whether the pain medication can be given early or if other interventions should be attempted first.
C. The nurse immediately asks the health care provider for an order of potassium when a patient reports leg cramps. This is incorrect because the nurse has not validated whether the leg cramps are due to low potassium. Leg cramps can result from multiple causes, including dehydration or circulatory issues. Lab values should be checked first.
D. The nurse elevates a leg cast when the patient reports decreased mobility. This is incorrect because decreased mobility does not necessarily indicate the need for elevation. Data validation should include assessing for swelling, circulation, and pain before making a decision.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Direct the nursing assistive personnel to give the acetaminophen. This is incorrect because administering medication is outside the scope of practice for nursing assistive personnel. Only licensed nurses are authorized to administer medications.
B. Perform a pain assessment only after administering the acetaminophen. This is incorrect because a pain assessment should be conducted before administering a PRN medication to determine the severity and characteristics of the pain.
C. Notify the health care provider to obtain a verbal order. This is incorrect because the medication is already included in the standing orders. There is no need to obtain a verbal order when the medication has already been prescribed with specific administration parameters.
D. Administer the acetaminophen. This is correct because the nurse has assessed the patient’s need for pain relief, confirmed that the patient has not received the medication in the past four hours, and verified that it falls within the provider’s orders. Since all criteria are met, the nurse should proceed with administering the medication as prescribed.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The diagnosis is not necessarily complex.
B. Nursing diagnoses should be objective and free from judgment. "Laziness" is subjective and inappropriate.
C. No legal issue is present, but professionalism is lacking.
D. The issue is more about the judgmental phrasing than missing data.
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