An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the role of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN knows that:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. When delegating tasks to an LPN/LVN, the RN must review the state's nurse practice act because each state defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN. This is crucial as the LPN/LVN scope of practice can vary significantly from state to state. By reviewing the nurse practice act, the RN ensures that the tasks being delegated fall within the legal scope of practice for the LPN/LVN in that specific state, promoting safe and effective patient care. Choice A is incorrect because the role of the LPN/LVN can differ between states. Choice B is incorrect because LPN/LVNs cannot perform all duties of an RN, and additional training does not change their scope of practice. Choice D is incorrect because the Joint Commission does not establish roles for LPN/LVNs; it focuses on accreditation standards for healthcare organizations.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Environment. Nursing theory often includes the concept of environment, which encompasses physical, social, and psychological factors influencing a patient's health. This concept helps nurses understand the context in which care is provided and how it impacts health outcomes. Incorrect choices: B: Health - While health is a fundamental aspect of nursing, it is not specific to nursing theory concepts. C: Nursing - This is a broad term encompassing the profession itself, not a specific concept within nursing theory. D: Relevance - This term is not directly associated with nursing theory concepts and does not provide a framework for understanding nursing practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: aspirin order within 24 hours of discharge. This is a key clinical indicator for evaluating care of heart attack patients as aspirin is a standard treatment to prevent further cardiac events. It is crucial for patient safety and adherence to national guidelines. Choice B is incorrect as patient teaching on smoking cessation, although important, is not a direct clinical indicator for evaluating care of heart attack patients. Choice C is incorrect as beta blocker administration upon arrival is important for heart attack patients, but it is not specific to evaluating the hospital's care compared to national standards. Choice D is incorrect as employer support for stress modification is not a clinical indicator relevant to evaluating care of heart attack patients.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: MEDLINE database. MEDLINE is a reputable database that provides access to a vast array of peer-reviewed medical literature, making it an excellent resource for scholarly publications. Here's the rationale: 1. Credibility: MEDLINE contains high-quality, peer-reviewed articles from reputable medical journals, ensuring the information obtained is reliable and accurate. 2. Specificity: The database is focused on medical research, including studies on hepatitis A, providing targeted and relevant information for the nurse's publication. 3. Efficiency: Search results in MEDLINE are organized and easily accessible, allowing the nurse to efficiently gather information without sifting through irrelevant sources. 4. Up-to-date: MEDLINE is regularly updated with the latest research findings, ensuring the nurse has access to the most current information on hepatitis A. In summary, using MEDLINE is the best choice for the nurse as it offers credible, specific, efficient, and up-to-date information compared to the other options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because informed consent documents must provide participants with an explanation of potential risks and benefits to ensure they fully understand what they are agreeing to. This helps participants make an informed decision about participating. Option B is incorrect because using medical terminology can actually increase misunderstanding; lay terms are recommended. Option C is incorrect as it is essential to include a statement on protecting anonymity and confidentiality to ensure participant privacy. Option D is incorrect as explaining the cost of the study is not a necessary component of informed consent.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: case manager. A case manager is responsible for coordinating care for a patient from admission to discharge, collaborating with various healthcare providers. This role involves managing the patient's overall care plan, ensuring continuity and efficiency. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Nurse manager focuses on managing nursing staff and unit operations, not individual patient care. C: Coordinator of patient-centered care delivery may oversee care coordination but does not necessarily follow the patient throughout the entire care journey. D: Team leader in team nursing care delivery is focused on leading a specific nursing team, not managing the patient's entire care process.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice B is correct: 1. Planning for tomorrow today allows the nurse to set clear goals and prioritize tasks in advance. 2. By planning ahead, the nurse can allocate time efficiently, reducing the feeling of overwhelm. 3. This approach fosters better organization and focus, enhancing productivity and task completion. 4. Planning helps in identifying potential obstacles and developing strategies to overcome them. 5. Ultimately, effective planning leads to better time management and a sense of accomplishment. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Focusing on activities rather than objectives can lead to a lack of direction and prioritization. C: Making the last hours most productive neglects the importance of consistent time management throughout the day. D: Maintaining a log of time spent can be helpful but does not address the proactive approach of planning ahead for better time management.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why Answer D is correct: 1. Ensures patient safety: RN should only accept assignments they are qualified for to provide safe care. 2. Upholds professional standards: Accepting only familiar assignments aligns with nursing scope of practice. 3. Legal and ethical responsibility: RN must prioritize patient well-being over external pressures. 4. Promotes personal growth: RN can seek additional training for unfamiliar assignments. Summary: - A: Incorrect. Accepting based on power dynamics disregards patient safety and professional ethics. - B: Incorrect. Patient safety should be the primary concern over workload. - C: Incorrect. Past handling may not guarantee appropriateness. Focus should be on personal qualification.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: disclosure. In this scenario, the physician shared information about the accidental lung puncture with the patient's family, demonstrating transparency and honesty. This aligns with the legal principle of disclosure, which emphasizes the importance of informing patients and their families about relevant medical information. The physician's actions foster trust and open communication, ensuring that the patient and family are informed about the situation. Choice A: comparative negligence, is incorrect because it involves assessing the degree of negligence by both parties involved, which is not applicable in this context. Choice B: gross negligence, is incorrect because the physician's actions do not demonstrate recklessness or a complete disregard for the patient's safety. Choice D: the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), is incorrect because this law primarily addresses the provision of emergency medical care and ensuring access to necessary services, not the disclosure of medical errors.