1|P a g e
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, Chapter 1. High-Acuity Nursing br br br
Question 1 T br br
ype: MCSA br
The patient who had surgery yesterday reports his chest feels tight. Assessment reveals respiratory rate of 2
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9, inspiratory wheezes, stridor, and an oxygenation saturation of 80%. The nurse would consider this patie
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nt to be which priority for transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU)?
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1. Priority 1 br
2. Priority 2 br
3. Priority 3 br
4. Priority 4 br
Correct Answer: 1 br br
Rationale 1: This patient is exhibiting signs of an acute respiratory event for which intubation or other in
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tensive treatment may be necessary. Priority 1 patients are acutely ill and need intensive treatment and mo
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nitoring not provided outside of the ICU. br br br br br br
Rationale 2: Priority 2 refers to patients needing intensive monitoring and may potentially need additional inter
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ventions. They are typically not evolving an acute event as is the case with this patient.
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Rationale 3: Priority 3 patients are critically ill but have little chance of recovery from their illnesses.
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Limits are placed on therapeutic interventions and they can be cared for in areas other than the ICU if n
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ecessary.
Rationale 4: Priority 4 patients have no signs or symptoms that indicate intensive monitoring or treatment ar
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e necessary.
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Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrated
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Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning Learning Outcome: 1-1
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Question 2 Type: MCSA br br br
The daughter of a patient who is dying questions the placement of her father on the medicalsurgical care u
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nit (MSCU). She requests he be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) because of concern her father ma
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y not receive close observation on a busy hospital unit. Which action is indicated by the nurse?
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1. Notify the intensive care unit of an impending transfer.
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2. Tell the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for placement in the more expensive ICU.
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3. Discuss the care that can be provided on the unit with the family member.
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2|P a g e
br br br br br
,4. Contact the physician. br br
Correct Answer: 3 br br
Rationale 1: The nurse cannot make this transfer decision independently.
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Rationale 2: Telling the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for transfer is not therapeutic. Brin
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ging up the issue of cost may cause the daughter to offer to pay the difference between the costs of the two
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units. This would create a serious ethical dilemma.
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Rationale 3: The best initial response is to help the daughter understand the level of care and observation tha
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t will be provided on the MSCU so as to help her understand that her fathers care will be a priority.
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Rationale 4: The nurse should try to intervene in this situation before involving the physician. Global Ratio
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nale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrate
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d Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation Learning Outcome: 1-1
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Question 3 Type: MCSA br br br
A nurse who is contemplating taking a position in an intensive care unit is reviewing her strengths and we
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
aknesses. Which characteristics of the nurse will be of the greatest benefit in the intensive care environm
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ent?
1. Feels comfortable in ever changing situations
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2. Closely evaluates the pros and cons of each decision for a long period of time before making a decision
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3. Is quiet and introverted
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4. Is excited about all new experiences Correct Answer: 1
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Rationale 1: The nurse in the intensive care unit must be open to ever-
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changing situations. The nurse must be flexible. br br br br br br
Rationale 2: The rapid changes in the intensive care unit do not allow for extended time when considering actio
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ns.
Rationale 3: A quiet and introverted nurse may not be a good match for the high paced high-
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acuity care unit due to the need for teamwork and interaction.
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Rationale 4: Excitement about all experiences is a beneficial characteristic in healthcare but is not the mos
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t important factor for this particular care unit.
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Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care
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3|P a g e
br br br br br
, Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment Learning Outcome: 1-2 br br br br br br br
Question 4 Type: MCSA br br br
The registered nurse is working as charge nurse on a busy high-
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acuity care unit. Unexpectedly, a coworker becomes ill and needs to leave. There is a period of time in whi
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ch the unit is short staffed while the ill coworkers replacement travels in to work. What action by the charg
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e nurse is indicated?
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1. Make no changes until the replacement nurse arrives.
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2. Assign the less acute patients to be cared for by the unlicensed assistive personnel.
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3. Assign the unlicensed assistive personnel to watch the monitors and call for help if a patient gets into tr
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ouble.
4. Contact the house supervisor and ask for a float nurse to be sent to the unit. Correct Answer: 4
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Rationale 1: The unit is understaffed. Replacement help must be provided. It is inappropriate to wait for t
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he replacement nurse.
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Rationale 2: The unlicensed assistive personnel are only able to provide care under the direct supervision of
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the nurse.
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Rationale 3: Watching monitors is not within the job description of the unlicensed assistive personnel and i
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
s not appropriate. The manager would be putting both patient safety and the unlicensed assistive personnel
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
at risk.
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Rationale 4: The manager should obtain help until the replacement nurse arrives. Contacting the house su
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
pervisor and asking for a temporary float nurse is the best intervention.
br br br br br br br br br br br
Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrate
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d Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation Learning Outcome: 1-2
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Question 5 Type: MCSA br br br
A recent nursing school graduate reports having an interview with a magnet hospital. When preparing for t
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he interview, the graduate nurse researches the concept of magnet status. Which perceptions by the nurse in
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dicate an adequate understanding?
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1. Magnet status is an accreditation from the National League for Nurses.
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2. Magnet status facilities pay substantial recruitment bonuses.
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3. Magnet status facilities promote the interests of professional nursing.
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4. Magnet status hospitals must establish nurse-to-patient ratios. Correct Answer: 3
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4|P a g e
br br br br br
br br br br br
, Chapter 1. High-Acuity Nursing br br br
Question 1 T br br
ype: MCSA br
The patient who had surgery yesterday reports his chest feels tight. Assessment reveals respiratory rate of 2
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
9, inspiratory wheezes, stridor, and an oxygenation saturation of 80%. The nurse would consider this patie
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
nt to be which priority for transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU)?
br br br br br br br br br br br br
1. Priority 1 br
2. Priority 2 br
3. Priority 3 br
4. Priority 4 br
Correct Answer: 1 br br
Rationale 1: This patient is exhibiting signs of an acute respiratory event for which intubation or other in
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
tensive treatment may be necessary. Priority 1 patients are acutely ill and need intensive treatment and mo
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
nitoring not provided outside of the ICU. br br br br br br
Rationale 2: Priority 2 refers to patients needing intensive monitoring and may potentially need additional inter
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ventions. They are typically not evolving an acute event as is the case with this patient.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
Rationale 3: Priority 3 patients are critically ill but have little chance of recovery from their illnesses.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
Limits are placed on therapeutic interventions and they can be cared for in areas other than the ICU if n
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ecessary.
Rationale 4: Priority 4 patients have no signs or symptoms that indicate intensive monitoring or treatment ar
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
e necessary.
br
Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrated
br br br br br br br br br br br br
Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning Learning Outcome: 1-1
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Question 2 Type: MCSA br br br
The daughter of a patient who is dying questions the placement of her father on the medicalsurgical care u
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
nit (MSCU). She requests he be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU) because of concern her father ma
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
y not receive close observation on a busy hospital unit. Which action is indicated by the nurse?
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
1. Notify the intensive care unit of an impending transfer.
br br br br br br br br
2. Tell the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for placement in the more expensive ICU.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
3. Discuss the care that can be provided on the unit with the family member.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br
2|P a g e
br br br br br
,4. Contact the physician. br br
Correct Answer: 3 br br
Rationale 1: The nurse cannot make this transfer decision independently.
br br br br br br br br br
Rationale 2: Telling the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for transfer is not therapeutic. Brin
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ging up the issue of cost may cause the daughter to offer to pay the difference between the costs of the two
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
units. This would create a serious ethical dilemma.
br br br br br br br
Rationale 3: The best initial response is to help the daughter understand the level of care and observation tha
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
t will be provided on the MSCU so as to help her understand that her fathers care will be a priority.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
Rationale 4: The nurse should try to intervene in this situation before involving the physician. Global Ratio
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
nale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrate
br br br br br br br br br br br br
d Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation Learning Outcome: 1-1
br br br br br br br
Question 3 Type: MCSA br br br
A nurse who is contemplating taking a position in an intensive care unit is reviewing her strengths and we
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
aknesses. Which characteristics of the nurse will be of the greatest benefit in the intensive care environm
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ent?
1. Feels comfortable in ever changing situations
br br br br br
2. Closely evaluates the pros and cons of each decision for a long period of time before making a decision
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
3. Is quiet and introverted
br br br
4. Is excited about all new experiences Correct Answer: 1
br br br br br br br br
Rationale 1: The nurse in the intensive care unit must be open to ever-
br br br br br br br br br br br br br
changing situations. The nurse must be flexible. br br br br br br
Rationale 2: The rapid changes in the intensive care unit do not allow for extended time when considering actio
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ns.
Rationale 3: A quiet and introverted nurse may not be a good match for the high paced high-
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
acuity care unit due to the need for teamwork and interaction.
br br br br br br br br br br br
Rationale 4: Excitement about all experiences is a beneficial characteristic in healthcare but is not the mos
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
t important factor for this particular care unit.
br br br br br br br
Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care
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3|P a g e
br br br br br
, Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment Learning Outcome: 1-2 br br br br br br br
Question 4 Type: MCSA br br br
The registered nurse is working as charge nurse on a busy high-
br br br br br br br br br br br
acuity care unit. Unexpectedly, a coworker becomes ill and needs to leave. There is a period of time in whi
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ch the unit is short staffed while the ill coworkers replacement travels in to work. What action by the charg
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
e nurse is indicated?
br br br
1. Make no changes until the replacement nurse arrives.
br br br br br br br
2. Assign the less acute patients to be cared for by the unlicensed assistive personnel.
br br br br br br br br br br br br br
3. Assign the unlicensed assistive personnel to watch the monitors and call for help if a patient gets into tr
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
ouble.
4. Contact the house supervisor and ask for a float nurse to be sent to the unit. Correct Answer: 4
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
Rationale 1: The unit is understaffed. Replacement help must be provided. It is inappropriate to wait for t
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
he replacement nurse.
br br
Rationale 2: The unlicensed assistive personnel are only able to provide care under the direct supervision of
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br b
the nurse.
r br
Rationale 3: Watching monitors is not within the job description of the unlicensed assistive personnel and i
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
s not appropriate. The manager would be putting both patient safety and the unlicensed assistive personnel
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
at risk.
br br
Rationale 4: The manager should obtain help until the replacement nurse arrives. Contacting the house su
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
pervisor and asking for a temporary float nurse is the best intervention.
br br br br br br br br br br br
Global Rationale: br
Cognitive Level: Analyzing br br
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment Client Need Sub: Management of Care Nursing/Integrate
br br br br br br br br br br br br
d Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation Learning Outcome: 1-2
br br br br br br br
Question 5 Type: MCSA br br br
A recent nursing school graduate reports having an interview with a magnet hospital. When preparing for t
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
he interview, the graduate nurse researches the concept of magnet status. Which perceptions by the nurse in
br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br
dicate an adequate understanding?
br br br
1. Magnet status is an accreditation from the National League for Nurses.
br br br br br br br br br br
2. Magnet status facilities pay substantial recruitment bonuses.
br br br br br br
3. Magnet status facilities promote the interests of professional nursing.
br br br br br br br br
4. Magnet status hospitals must establish nurse-to-patient ratios. Correct Answer: 3
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4|P a g e
br br br br br
