A hospital nurse is concerned about the demands of providing safe care to clients who are seriously ill. The nurse manager should suggest which intervention to effectively help the nurse balance the demanding work in the hospital setting?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Request a transfer to another nursing care unit with patients who are stable. Rationale: 1. By transferring to a unit with stable patients, the nurse can reduce the demands of caring for seriously ill clients. 2. This intervention helps in balancing the workload and provides a less stressful environment for the nurse. 3. It allows the nurse to focus on providing safe care without being overwhelmed by the demands of seriously ill patients. Incorrect choices: A: Delegating more tasks to unlicensed nursing personnel may not address the root cause of the nurse's concern and could potentially compromise patient safety. C: Writing stories in a journal may be a helpful coping mechanism but does not directly address the nurse's workload concerns. D: Using an assertive communication style is important but may not be the most effective solution for balancing the demands of caring for seriously ill clients.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it shows empathy by asking for the patient's thoughts first, respecting their autonomy. It promotes open communication and understanding of the patient's concerns. Choice B may come off as judgmental or invasive. Choice C imposes the nurse's opinion on the patient, disregarding their feelings. Choice D is incomplete.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer B is correct: 1. Answer B encourages patient autonomy by asking what solutions the patient has considered. 2. This response acknowledges the patient's ability to make decisions about their own healthcare. 3. By asking the patient about their considered solutions, the nurse can guide the discussion towards exploring different options. 4. This approach promotes shared decision-making between the patient and healthcare provider. 5. It empowers the patient to actively participate in their treatment planning. 6. Ultimately, answer B respects the patient's autonomy, fosters open communication, and supports informed decision-making.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: obtaining feedback from the patient that indicates accurate comprehension. This is the best way to ensure effective communication because it directly involves the patient in the communication process, allowing for clarification if needed. By receiving feedback from the patient, the nurse can confirm whether the information has been understood correctly. This approach promotes active listening and engagement from the patient, enhancing the likelihood of accurate communication. Incorrect choices: A: Speaking slowly and clearly in the patient's native language may help, but it does not guarantee comprehension. B: Asking family members may not accurately reflect the patient's understanding and could lead to miscommunication. D: Checking for signs of hearing loss or aphasia is important, but it does not directly assess the patient's understanding of the communication.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Answer A is correct because active listening involves using nonverbal cues such as leaning forward, focusing on the speaker's face, and nodding slightly to show that you are engaged and understanding the message. Leaning forward demonstrates interest, focusing on the face shows attentiveness, and nodding indicates acknowledgment. These actions encourage the speaker to continue sharing and feel heard. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Avoiding eye contact can make the speaker feel ignored or disconnected, which goes against the principles of active listening. C: Anticipating what the speaker is trying to say and finishing their sentences is not active listening; it can be seen as interrupting and not allowing the speaker to express themselves fully. D: Asking probing questions and directing the conversation towards obtaining specific information efficiently is not active listening. It can come across as controlling the conversation rather than actively listening to the speaker.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges Ms. G's autonomy and respects her right to make decisions about her own body. By validating her feelings and choices, it helps build trust and rapport. Choice B is incorrect as it disregards Ms. G's emotional state and can come off as dismissive. Choice C assumes Ms. G needs immediate medical intervention without exploring her concerns further. Choice D, although showing empathy, does not directly address Ms. G's decision to change her mind about the surgery.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: summarizing. Summarizing involves presenting the problem and potential solutions to the patient in a clear and concise manner. In this scenario, the nurse is summarizing the patient's thoughts and concerns about notifying their daughter of the upcoming surgery. By doing so, the nurse is helping the patient to make a decision by clarifying the situation and potential options. This technique allows the patient to reflect on the information presented and make an informed choice. A: Focusing involves directing the conversation to a specific topic or issue. B: Reflection involves restating the patient's feelings or thoughts to show understanding. C: Restatement involves repeating the patient's words to confirm understanding. Therefore, the correct answer is D because summarizing is the technique being used in this scenario to help the patient make a decision regarding notifying their daughter about the upcoming surgery.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because speaking slowly allows the older adult patient to process the message at their own pace, considering potential hearing or cognitive impairments. Speaking slowly also shows respect and patience. Option B is incorrect because using the first name may not be culturally appropriate or may not align with the patient's preference for formality. Option C is incorrect because standing in the doorway may be seen as disrespectful and inhibit effective communication by creating physical barriers. Option D is incorrect because speaking in simple sentences is important, but speaking as if to a child may be patronizing and disrespectful to the older adult patient.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perform a needle thoracotomy with a 14- to 16-gauge catheter needle. Rationale: 1. Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency where air accumulates in the pleural space, causing lung collapse and increased pressure in the chest. 2. The standard treatment for tension pneumothorax is needle thoracostomy, which involves inserting a large-bore needle into the chest to release the trapped air. 3. In this scenario, Mr. U is in respiratory distress despite receiving high-flow oxygen, indicating a significant problem with ventilation that requires immediate intervention. 4. Performing a needle thoracotomy will rapidly decompress the tension pneumothorax, relieving pressure on the heart and lungs, and improving respiratory function. 5. This action takes precedence over other options such as removing the occlusive dressing, initiating CPR, or calling for intubation equipment, as immediate decompression is crucial in managing tension pneumoth