Chapter 1: Overview of Professional Nursing Concepts for Medical- Surgical Nursing

1. A nurse wishes to provide client-centered care in all interactions. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates this concept? a. Assesses for cultural influences affecting health care b. Ensures that all the clients basic needs are met c. Tells the client & family about all upcoming tests d. Thoroughly orients the client & family to the room ANS: A - Competency in client-focused care is demonstrated when the nurse focuses on communication, culture, respect, compassion, client education & empowerment. By assessing the effect of the client’s culture on health care, this nurse is practicing client-focused care. Providing for basic needs does not demonstrate this competence. Simply telling the client about all upcoming tests is not providing empowering education. Orienting the client & family to the room is an important safety measure, but not directly related to demonstrating client-centered care. 2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client on the surgical unit. The client’s blood pressure was 142/76 mm Hg 30 minutes ago & now is 88/50 mm Hg. What action by the nurse is best? a. Call the Rapid Response Team. b. Document & continue to monitor. c. Notify the primary care provider. d. Repeat blood pressure measurement in 15 minutes. ANS: A – The purpose of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) is to intervene when clients are deteriorating before they suffer either respiratory or cardiac arrest. Since the client has manifested a significant change, the nurse should call the RRT. Changes in blood pressure, mental status, heart rate & pain are particularly significant. Documentation is vital, but the nurse must do more than document. The primary care provider should be notified, but this is not the priority over calling the RRT. The client’s blood pressure should be reassessed frequently, but the priority is getting the rapid care to the client. 3. A nurse is orienting a new client & family to the inpatient unit. What info does the nurse give to help the client promote his or her own safety? a. Encourage the client & family to be active partners. b. Have the client monitor hand hygiene in caregivers. c. Offer the family the opportunity to stay with the client. d. Tell the client to always wear his or her armband. ANS: A - Each action could be important for the client or family to perform. However, encouraging the client to be active in his or her health care as a partner is the most critical. The other actions are very limited in scope & do not provide the broad protection being active & involved does.