The best action nurses can take to prevent allegations of malpractice is
a. carrying malpractice insurance.
b. clarifying orders with the nursing supervisor.
c. delegating care to nursing assistants.
d. providing care according to standards of practice.
D
Maintaining standards of practice is the best way to reduce risk. The hallmark of risk reduction is knowledge of the professional standards of care, delivery and documentation of that care, and consistent demonstration that the standards are met. Nurses caring for acutely and critically ill patients may be alleged to have acted in a manner that is inconsistent with standards of care or standards of professional practice and may find themselves involved in civil litigation that focuses in whole or in part on the alleged failure.
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The nurse is assigned to perform telephone triage for the clinic and receives a call from a young mother whose 6-month-old baby received her third diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus immunization that morning
The mother reports the baby's temperature is 99.8° axillary, the site of injection is "a little red," and the baby is irritable. After checking the standing orders provided by the pediatrician, what teaching would the nurse provide this mother? (Select all that apply.) A) "These are common adverse effects reported after immunizations." B) "Bring the baby back to the clinic for an examination." C) "Apply a warm moist compress to the baby's leg." D) "Aspirin can be given to manage fever symptoms." E) "Symptoms should subside within 2 to 3 days."
The nurse is providing patient education in anticipation of the patient's scheduled boned marrow aspiration and biopsy. When teaching the patient about care after the procedure, the nurse should encourage the patient to do which of the following?
A) Take aspirin to alleviate pain. B) Remain on bed rest for 24 to 36 hours after the procedure. C) Avoid bathing until the site heals. D) Avoid the use of oral analgesics.
A client with diabetes asks why more than one injection of insulin is required each day. Which is the nurse's best response?
a. "You need to start with multiple injections until you become more proficient at self-injection." b. "A single dose of insulin each day would not match your blood insulin levels and your food intake patterns closely enough." c. "A regimen of a single dose of insulin in-jected each day would require that you could eat no more than one meal each day." d. "A single dose of insulin would be too large to be absorbed predictably, so you would be in danger of unexpected insulin shock."
The nurse notes new onset confusion in an older patient who is normally alert and oriented. In which order should the nurse take the following actions? (Put a comma and a space between each answer choice [A, B, C, D].)
a. Obtain the oxygen saturation. b. Check the patient's pulse rate. c. Document the change in status. d. Notify the health care provider.