Chapter 27:
Patient Safety and Quality
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient
will cause the nurse to follow up?
a. “Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.”
b. “I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.”
c. “If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.”
d. “When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.”
ANS: D
Using a nonvented heater introduces carbon monoxide into the environment and decreases the
available oxygen for human consumption and the nurse should follow up to correct this behavior.
Checking the chimney and heater,changing the batteries on the detector, and following up on
symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue are all statements that are safe and appropriate and
need no follow-up.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:374
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
,2. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient admitted with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to
food poisoning. The nurse completes the health history. Which priority concern will require
collaboration with social services to address the patient’s health careneeds?
a. The electricity was turned off 3 days ago.
b. The water comes from the county water supply.
c. A son and family recently moved into the home.
d. This home is not furnished with a microwave oven.
ANS: A
Electricity is needed for refrigeration of food, and lack of electricity could have contributed to the
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to food poisoning. This discussion about the patient’s electrical
needs can be referred to social services. Foods that are inadequately prepared or stored or subject to
unsanitary conditions increase the patient’s risk for infections and food poisoning, and an assessment
should include storage practices. The water supply, the increased number of individuals in the home,
and not having a microwave may or may not be concerns but do not pertain to the current health care
needs of this patient.
3. The patient has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness and reports shortness of breath. Thenurse
adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. At which temperature range willthe
nurse set the thermostat?
a. 60° to 64° F
b. 65° to 75° F
c. 15° to 17° C
,d. 25° to 28° C
ANS: B
A person’s comfort zone is usually between 18.3° and 23.9° C (65° and 75° F). The other ranges are
too low or too high and do not reflect the average person’s comfort zone.
4. A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department. The nurse obtains thefollowing
vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 106/56, apical pulse 58, and respiratory rate 12.
Which vital sign should the nurse address immediately?
a. Respiratory rate
b. Temperature
c. Apical pulse
d. Blood pressure
ANS: B
The temperature indicates the patient is experiencing hypothermia. Homeless individuals are more at
risk for hypothermia. While all the vital signs are low, the most critical vital sign at this time is the
temperature.
5. A nurse is teaching the patient and family about wound care. Which technique will the nurse teach
to best prevent transmission of pathogens?
, a. Wash hands
b. Wash wound
c. Wear gloves
d. Wear eye protection
ANS: A
One of the most effective methods for limiting the transmission of pathogens is the medically aseptic
practice of hand hygiene. The most common means of transmission of pathogens is by the hands.
While washing the wound is needed, the best method to prevent transmission is hand hygiene.
Wearing gloves and possibly eye protection help protect the nurse, but handwashing is best for
limiting the transmission of pathogens.
6. The nurse is monitoring for Never Events. Which finding indicates the nurse will report a Never
Event?
a. No blood incompatibility occurs with a blood transfusion.
b. A surgical sponge is left in the patient’s incision.
c. Pulmonary embolism after lung surgery
d. Stage II pressure ulcer
ANS: B
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services names select serious reportable events as Never
Events (i.e., adverse events that should never occur in a health care setting). A surgical sponge left in
Patient Safety and Quality
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient
will cause the nurse to follow up?
a. “Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.”
b. “I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.”
c. “If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.”
d. “When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.”
ANS: D
Using a nonvented heater introduces carbon monoxide into the environment and decreases the
available oxygen for human consumption and the nurse should follow up to correct this behavior.
Checking the chimney and heater,changing the batteries on the detector, and following up on
symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue are all statements that are safe and appropriate and
need no follow-up.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:374
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
,2. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient admitted with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to
food poisoning. The nurse completes the health history. Which priority concern will require
collaboration with social services to address the patient’s health careneeds?
a. The electricity was turned off 3 days ago.
b. The water comes from the county water supply.
c. A son and family recently moved into the home.
d. This home is not furnished with a microwave oven.
ANS: A
Electricity is needed for refrigeration of food, and lack of electricity could have contributed to the
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to food poisoning. This discussion about the patient’s electrical
needs can be referred to social services. Foods that are inadequately prepared or stored or subject to
unsanitary conditions increase the patient’s risk for infections and food poisoning, and an assessment
should include storage practices. The water supply, the increased number of individuals in the home,
and not having a microwave may or may not be concerns but do not pertain to the current health care
needs of this patient.
3. The patient has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness and reports shortness of breath. Thenurse
adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. At which temperature range willthe
nurse set the thermostat?
a. 60° to 64° F
b. 65° to 75° F
c. 15° to 17° C
,d. 25° to 28° C
ANS: B
A person’s comfort zone is usually between 18.3° and 23.9° C (65° and 75° F). The other ranges are
too low or too high and do not reflect the average person’s comfort zone.
4. A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department. The nurse obtains thefollowing
vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 106/56, apical pulse 58, and respiratory rate 12.
Which vital sign should the nurse address immediately?
a. Respiratory rate
b. Temperature
c. Apical pulse
d. Blood pressure
ANS: B
The temperature indicates the patient is experiencing hypothermia. Homeless individuals are more at
risk for hypothermia. While all the vital signs are low, the most critical vital sign at this time is the
temperature.
5. A nurse is teaching the patient and family about wound care. Which technique will the nurse teach
to best prevent transmission of pathogens?
, a. Wash hands
b. Wash wound
c. Wear gloves
d. Wear eye protection
ANS: A
One of the most effective methods for limiting the transmission of pathogens is the medically aseptic
practice of hand hygiene. The most common means of transmission of pathogens is by the hands.
While washing the wound is needed, the best method to prevent transmission is hand hygiene.
Wearing gloves and possibly eye protection help protect the nurse, but handwashing is best for
limiting the transmission of pathogens.
6. The nurse is monitoring for Never Events. Which finding indicates the nurse will report a Never
Event?
a. No blood incompatibility occurs with a blood transfusion.
b. A surgical sponge is left in the patient’s incision.
c. Pulmonary embolism after lung surgery
d. Stage II pressure ulcer
ANS: B
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services names select serious reportable events as Never
Events (i.e., adverse events that should never occur in a health care setting). A surgical sponge left in
