A nurse is removing a saturated dressing from an abdominal incision and must cut the tape to remove the dressing. The nurse accidentally cuts the sutures holding the incision, and evisceration occurs. In quality improvement, this incident is best identified as a:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: sentinel event. A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm to a patient. In this scenario, the accidental cutting of sutures leading to evisceration constitutes a serious harm to the patient, making it a sentinel event. This event requires immediate investigation, analysis, and implementation of preventive measures to ensure patient safety. A: Root cause refers to the underlying reason for a problem, not the event itself. C: Variation in performance is related to inconsistencies in processes, not a specific critical incident like evisceration. D: Causal factor is a contributing element to an event, but it does not capture the severity and significance of a sentinel event like evisceration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: urine drug screening. Preemployment physicals commonly include urine drug screening to ensure that job applicants are free from illegal substances. This step is crucial for workplace safety and productivity. Cholesterol screening (A) is not typically part of preemployment physicals unless specifically required by the employer. Pregnancy testing (B) is considered discriminatory and is not standard practice. Vision and hearing tests (D) may be included in preemployment physicals, but they are not as common as urine drug screening for ensuring a drug-free workplace.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: red herring. In this scenario, the male nurse deflects the issue of improper sharps disposal by accusing the team leader of having ulterior motives related to gender discrimination. This is a classic example of a red herring, where the nurse introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue. The nurse's response does not address the concern raised about sharps disposal but instead shifts the focus to an unrelated accusation. The other choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the communication technique used in the scenario. A straw man involves misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, slippery slope is a form of logical fallacy, and confusing cause and effect refers to a mistaken understanding of the relationship between two events.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because institutional review boards (IRBs) are responsible for ensuring that research studies involving human subjects do not cause harm. IRBs evaluate the potential risks and benefits of the study to protect participants' rights and well-being. Choice A is incorrect because publication is not within the primary scope of IRBs. Choice B is incorrect as adding to nursing knowledge is not the main focus of IRBs. Choice D is also incorrect as funding approval is typically handled by separate entities and is not the primary role of IRBs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Qualitative. Qualitative data analysis involves organizing non-numerical data into themes, patterns, or categories. This type of analysis focuses on the quality and characteristics of the data rather than numerical values. Descriptive analysis (A) involves summarizing and presenting numerical data. Inferential analysis (B) involves making predictions or inferences about a population based on sample data. Quantitative analysis (D) involves working with numerical data to derive insights and conclusions. In this question, the focus is on the non-numerical organization of data, which aligns with qualitative analysis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Rationale for B being the correct answer: Continuing education aims to ensure ongoing competence, but states have the autonomy to decide if CEs are mandatory. This statement aligns with the diversity in state requirements. Summary of other choices: A: This choice generalizes the requirement for CEs across all states, which is not accurate as each state has its own regulations. C: The requirement for CEs is not based on working across state lines but on individual state regulations. D: This choice incorrectly implies that continuing education is unnecessary for maintaining competence, which is not the case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: deployment chart. A deployment chart is used to illustrate how resources or personnel are allocated and utilized during an emergency or disaster situation. In this case, the organization's emergency preparedness task force is detailing how each department will assist individuals in reaching safety, which aligns with the purpose of a deployment chart. It helps visualize the specific roles and responsibilities assigned to each department during an evacuation. A: Pareto chart is used for prioritizing actions based on the 80/20 rule. B: Control chart is used for monitoring process variations over time. C: Top-down flowchart is used to represent the sequence of steps in a process hierarchy. In summary, the other choices are incorrect because they do not specifically address the allocation of resources and responsibilities during an emergency evacuation scenario, which is the primary function of a deployment chart.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because a "salvador" is typically a spiritual healer or medium in Hispanic culture who helps communicate with deceased family members. This aligns with the scenario of the patient seeking the services of a salvador to communicate with a family member who recently died. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Determining herbs for hot flashes is typically done by an herbalist or healthcare provider. C: Treating lower back pain usually involves medical professionals like doctors or physical therapists. D: Acupuncture for smoking cessation is typically provided by licensed acupuncturists or healthcare professionals, not a salvador.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: In the work environment, evaluation focuses on appraising outcomes to assess effectiveness and compliance with policies. Step 2: Appraising outcomes according to policy ensures that results align with organizational objectives. Step 3: This process helps identify areas for improvement and ensures accountability. Step 4: Choices A, B, and C do not directly address the evaluation of outcomes based on policy, making them incorrect. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is D as it aligns with the purpose of evaluation in the work environment.