Complete Solutions | Foundations of Nursing, Nursing
Process, Health Assessment, Safety & Infection Control |
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Unit 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice (25 Questions)
Q1: A 78-year-old patient with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with
pneumonia. The patient's adult daughter presents a signed advance directive indicating
the patient desires no mechanical ventilation. The daughter now insists the physician
intubate her mother, stating "I can't let her die." What is the nurse's most appropriate
initial action?
A. Contact the hospital attorney immediately to override the daughter's request
B. Honor the daughter's request as the next of kin and prepare for intubation
C. Notify the physician of the conflict and ensure the advance directive is reviewed by
the healthcare team [CORRECT]
D. Tell the daughter that her mother's wishes must be followed and refuse to participate
in care
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The nurse's primary responsibility is to advocate for the patient's expressed
wishes while facilitating family communication. Option C follows proper chain of
command: the physician must be notified of conflicting information, the advance
directive must be verified as valid and current, and ethics consultation may be needed.
This preserves patient autonomy while addressing family distress. Option A bypasses
clinical resolution and is premature—legal intervention is last resort. Option B violates
patient autonomy and advance directive law; next of kin cannot override valid patient
wishes. Option D is confrontational, lacks therapeutic communication, and abandons
the family during crisis. The nurse serves as patient advocate, not decision-maker or
family adversary.
Q2: According to Virginia Henderson's theory of nursing, which statement best defines
the unique function of the nurse?
A. The nurse assists the patient to gain independence as rapidly as possible [CORRECT]
B. The nurse maintains the patient's physiological stability through medical
interventions
C. The nurse creates an environment that supports natural healing processes
D. The nurse facilitates the patient's adaptation to illness through therapeutic
relationships
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Virginia Henderson defined nursing as assisting individuals to gain
independence in activities of daily living that they would perform unaided if they had the
will, knowledge, or strength—emphasizing patient self-care and independence as the
goal. Option B describes medical model focus, not Henderson's emphasis on patient
function. Option C reflects Florence Nightingale's environmental theory (sanitation,
ventilation, light). Option D aligns with Hildegard Peplau's interpersonal theory or Sister
Callista Roy's adaptation model, not Henderson's needs-based approach.
Q3: A nurse is caring for four patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which task is most
appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Assessing a postoperative patient's incision for signs of infection
B. Administering oral pain medication to a patient with a stable pain level
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom [CORRECT]
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient about insulin administration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delegation to UAP follows the "Five Rights": right task (routine, predictable,
non-invasive), right circumstance (stable patient), right person (trained UAP), right
direction/communication, right supervision. Ambulation assistance is within UAP
scope—routine, stable situation, no clinical judgment required. Option A requires
assessment (nursing judgment, cannot delegate). Option B is medication administration
, (licensed nurse scope only). Option D requires teaching/evaluation of learning
(professional nursing, requires specialized knowledge). The nurse retains accountability
for delegated tasks.
Q4: A nurse receives a telephone order from a physician for a new medication. Which
action demonstrates the highest standard of safe practice?
A. Write the order immediately and read it back to the physician for verification
[CORRECT]
B. Ask the unit secretary to transcribe the order while the nurse administers the
medication
C. Document the order after administration to save time during the busy shift
D. Request the physician send the order electronically to avoid errors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Telephone/verbal orders require "read-back" verification: nurse documents
order, reads back exact details (drug, dose, route, frequency), physician confirms
accuracy. This prevents transcription errors. Option B violates accountability (nurse
must receive order directly). Option C is unsafe—order must be documented before
administration (legal requirement, safety check). Option D may be ideal for routine
orders but is impractical for urgent situations; the question asks about telephone orders
specifically, and refusing to take the order could delay needed treatment.