After reviewing the database, the nurse discovers that the patient’s vital signs have not been recorded by the nursing assistive personnel (NAP). Which clinical decision should the nurse make? Administer scheduled medications assuming that the NAP would have reported

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Safety: Recording vital signs is crucial for patient safety. 2. Accountability: The nurse is ultimately responsible for ensuring vital signs are documented accurately. 3. Communication: It is essential for the nurse to communicate with the NAP to address the missed vital signs. 4. Corrective Action: Asking the NAP to record vital signs before administering medications ensures proper monitoring. 5. Patient-Centered Care: Prioritizing patient well-being by ensuring vital signs are up-to-date. Summary: A: Incorrect. Administering medications without vital sign assessment is unsafe. B: Incorrect. Reviewing vital signs upon return does not address the immediate need for accurate documentation. D: Incorrect. Omitting vital signs compromises patient safety and violates standard nursing practice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Choice C: 1. Safety First: Recording vital signs is crucial for patient safety. Asking the NAP to record vital signs ensures the patient's condition is monitored before administering medications. 2. Accountability: Nurses are responsible for ensuring accurate documentation of vital signs. Asking the NAP to record them maintains accountability within the healthcare team. 3. Communication: By requesting the NAP to record vital signs, the nurse fosters effective communication and collaboration in patient care. Summary of Other Choices: A: Administering medications without reviewing vital signs could lead to adverse effects if there are abnormalities. B: Reviewing vital signs upon return delays immediate action and could jeopardize patient safety. D: Omitting vital signs neglects the essential monitoring required for patient care and could result in missed opportunities for early intervention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Acute pain. The NANDA-I (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International) approved diagnosis must meet specific criteria related to patient assessment data, defining characteristics, and related factors. Acute pain is a well-defined nursing diagnosis with specific defining characteristics and related factors, making it a suitable and approved option for inclusion in a patient's care plan. Sore throat, sleep apnea, and heart failure do not meet the criteria for a NANDA-I approved diagnosis as they lack the specificity and comprehensive assessment data required for a nursing diagnosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): Asking the NAP to record the patient's vital signs before administering medications is the correct clinical decision. Vital signs are crucial indicators of a patient's health status and should be documented before any interventions. By having the NAP record the vital signs, the nurse ensures that the patient's condition is properly assessed and monitored. This action aligns with the standard of care and promotes patient safety. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Administering medications without knowing the patient's vital signs could be dangerous, especially if there are abnormalities that need attention. B: Reviewing vital signs upon return delays necessary assessment and intervention, potentially compromising patient safety. D: Omitting vital signs without assessment puts the patient at risk, as changes in vital signs can indicate underlying issues that need immediate attention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Acute pain. This is the only choice that aligns with NANDA-I approved nursing diagnoses. Acute pain is a common nursing diagnosis that focuses on addressing a patient's immediate discomfort. NANDA-I emphasizes the importance of using standardized nursing diagnoses to improve communication and ensure proper interventions. Sore throat (A) and sleep apnea (C) are symptoms or medical diagnoses, not specific nursing diagnoses. Heart failure (D) is a medical diagnosis and not a NANDA-I approved nursing diagnosis.