Which of the following conditions would be well suited to the use of a nursing critical pathway?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hip replacement surgery. Nursing critical pathways are designed for standardized, evidence-based care plans for specific medical conditions or procedures. Hip replacement surgery is a well-defined process with clear guidelines for pre-op, intra-op, and post-op care, making it suitable for a critical pathway. Foreign object in the ear (A) requires immediate intervention but doesn't involve a complex care pathway. Fever of unknown origin (B) requires extensive diagnostic workup, making it less suitable for a standardized pathway. Bacterial infection acquired in a foreign country (D) may have variable presentations and treatment, not fitting a standardized pathway.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Confirmation. In Roger's diffusion of innovations theory, Confirmation is the stage where individuals evaluate the decision to adopt or reject an innovation after trying it out. In this scenario, the hospital implemented a course of action for shift change, and after a week, it was deemed inappropriate, indicating that the decision reached the Confirmation stage. Summary: - B: Implementation is incorrect as the hospital had already implemented the course of action. - C: Knowledge is incorrect as this stage involves acquiring information about the innovation. - D: Persuasion is incorrect as it focuses on influencing individuals to adopt the innovation, which is not the case in this scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Client. In a continuous quality improvement program, the primary focus should be on improving the quality of care and services provided to the clients or patients. This ensures that their needs and preferences are met, resulting in better outcomes. A focus on the family (A) or healthcare providers like nurses (C) and physicians (D) may be important, but the ultimate goal of a quality improvement program is to enhance the client's experience and well-being. By prioritizing the client, the program can address issues directly affecting them and tailor improvements to meet their specific needs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using barcoding technology for medication administration. This strategy is most effective for reducing medication errors because it helps ensure the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time. Barcoding technology allows nurses to scan both the patient's wristband and the medication label to verify accuracy before administration, reducing the risk of errors due to human factors. A: Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio may help with workload distribution but does not directly address medication errors. B: Providing ongoing education is important but may not be as effective as implementing technological solutions like barcoding. D: Increasing the use of PRN medications may actually increase the risk of errors if not managed properly. In summary, using barcoding technology for medication administration is the most effective strategy as it directly addresses the root cause of medication errors by ensuring accurate medication administration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide individualized care. Clinical pathways aim to offer a structured approach to patient care while allowing customization based on individual patient needs. By providing a standardized outline of care steps, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to meet each patient's unique circumstances. This promotes more personalized and effective care delivery. Incorrect choices: A: Reduce hospital readmissions - Clinical pathways may help in reducing readmissions, but this is not their primary purpose. B: Standardize care - While clinical pathways do standardize care to some extent, their main goal is to individualize care based on patient needs. D: Streamline care processes - While clinical pathways can streamline care processes, the primary focus is on providing individualized care rather than solely on process efficiency.