When a nurse is unsure about how to perform a patient care procedure, the nurse's best action would be to:

Question

1. ask another nurse.
2. discuss the procedure with the patient's physician.
3. look up the procedure in a nursing textbook.
4. consult the agency procedure manual and follow the guidelines for the procedure.

Answer 1

4
1. Incorrect. Each nurse is responsible for his/her own practice. Relying on another nurse may not always be safe practice. Each nurse is obligated to follow the standards of care for safe patient care delivery.
2. Incorrect. Physicians are responsible for their own patient care activity. Nurses may fol-low safe orders from physicians but are also responsible for the activities that they as nurses are to carry out.
3. Incorrect. Information provided in a nursing textbook is basic information for general knowledge. Furthermore, the information in a textbook may not reflect the current standard of care or individual state/hospital policies.
4. Correct. It is always best to follow the agency's policies and procedures manual when seeking information on correct patient procedures. These policies should reflect the current standards of care and state guidelines.