Which of the following charting rules will keep the nurse legally safe? I. Documenting worries and all concerns as verbalized by the patient. II Charting at the end of the shift only. III.Discussing of recorded cases and diagnosis of the patient. IV. Recording all information verbalized by patient and family.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct charting rule to keep the nurse legally safe is to document worries and all concerns as verbalized by the patient (Choice I). This is important for accurately reflecting the patient's condition, communication, and potential interventions. Charting at the end of the shift only (Choice II) is not recommended as it can lead to missed important details or delayed documentation. Discussing recorded cases and diagnoses of the patient (Choice III) breaches patient confidentiality and violates HIPAA laws. Recording all information verbalized by the patient and family (Choice IV) may include unnecessary details and could potentially lead to misinterpretation or misunderstanding, which might not be legally advantageous.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's best action in this situation would be to administer the ordered antibiotic trimethoprim (Trimpex). A urinary tract infection (UTI) requires antibiotic treatment to eliminate the bacterial infection causing the symptoms. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is a urinary tract analgesic that can help relieve urinary pain but does not treat the infection itself. Bethanechol is a cholinergic medication used to treat urinary retention, not a UTI. Acetaminophen and a warm bath may help with some discomfort but do not address the underlying infection causing the urinary pain. Therefore, administering the prescribed antibiotic would be the most appropriate action to target the source of the patient's symptoms.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nurses are bound by strict confidentiality and privacy regulations in their profession. If a nurse fails to keep a patient's personal information confidential and discloses it without authorization, they can be charged with invasion of privacy. Invasion of privacy is the wrongful intrusion into a person's private affairs without their consent, and it is a serious violation of ethical and legal standards in healthcare. Nurses must always prioritize patient confidentiality to maintain trust and uphold ethical standards in their practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The bioethical issue described in option A revolves around the concept of advance directives. Advance directives are legal documents that outline a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they are unable to communicate those wishes themselves. In this scenario, the issue pertains to the withholding of food and treatment based on a written advance directive that was made before the patient suffered permanent brain damage. This raises important ethical considerations about respecting a patient's autonomy and adhering to their previously expressed wishes, even in difficult circumstances. The decision to withhold treatment in such a situation is a complex bioethical issue that needs to be handled carefully while balancing the principles of autonomy and beneficence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's preferences and wishes regarding medical treatment, including resuscitation, in the event they become unable to communicate or make decisions. In this scenario, the client being admitted to the oncology unit wants to convey his wishes regarding resuscitation in case of cardiopulmonary arrest. A living will helps ensure that these wishes are known and respected by healthcare providers and loved ones. While a will addresses how a person's assets should be distributed after death and a health care power of attorney designates someone to make medical decisions on the person's behalf, a living will specifically focuses on healthcare preferences and treatment decisions. A proxy directive is similar to a health care power of attorney, designating someone to make healthcare decisions for the person if they are unable to do so themselves.