A male client who has heart failure receives an additional dose of bumetanide as prescribed 4 hours after the daily dose. The nurse assesses him 15 minutes after administering the medication and reminds him to save all urine in the bathroom. Thirty minutes later the nurse finds the client on the floor, unresponsive, and bleeding from a laceration. Determine the issues that support the client’s malpractice claim. Select all that apply.
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Solution
Answers: 2, 3, 4, and 6.
To prove malpractice against a nurse, the plaintiff must prove that the nurse owed a duty to the client, that the nurse breached the duty, and that as a result harm was caused to person or property. The client has an increased risk of hypotension (option 2) because hypotension is a common adverse effect of bumetanide, this is the second dose within 4 hours, and the client has heart failure. The client can prove that the nurse did not protect him by failing to provide adequate teaching and perform correct and timely nursing interventions (options 3, 4, and 6) after administering the bumetanide. After the first 15-minute check, the nurse should continue increased client monitoring to ensure client compliance with safety measures. Replacing fluid volume is not the issue; furthermore, the goal of therapy is to reduce total body fluid. No data indicate that the dose of bumetanide, a loop diuretic, was excessive. However, because this medication can cause hypotension, especially after a repeat dose, the nurse should instruct the client to remain in bed and provide him with a urinal. It may be difficult for the client to prove that the second dose of bumetanide caused the injury.
A licensed practical nurse is planning the client assignments for the day. Which of the following is the most appropriate assignment for the nursing assistant?
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Solution
Answer: 2.
The nurse must determine the most appropriate assignment on the basis of the skills of the staff member and the needs of the client. In this case, the most appropriate assignment for a nursing assistant would be to care for the client who requires frequent ambulation. The nursing assistant is skilled in this task. The client who had a cardiac catheterization will require specific monitoring in addition to that of the vital signs. Wound irrigations and tube feedings are not performed by unlicensed personnel.
A licensed practical nurse is attending an agency orientation meeting about the nursing model of practice implemented in the facility. The nurse is told that the nursing model is a team nursing approach. The nurse understands that which of the following is a characteristic of this type of nursing model of practice?
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Solution
Answer: 3.
In team nursing, nursing personnel are led by a nurse when providing care to a group of clients. Option 1 identifies functional nursing. Option 2 identifies a component of case management. Option 4 identifies primary nursing.
A nurse knows the clinical manifestations of a client with Addison’s disease include which of the following? Select all that apply:
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Solution
Answers: 1, 4, and 5.
Addison’s disease is due to hypofunctioning of the adrenal cortex. The clinical manifestations have a very slow onset, and skin hyperpigmentation is a classic sign. Fatigue, nausea, weight loss, hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia are other findings associated with the condition.
The nurse is teaching a client about home care and treatment of venous stasis ulcers in his leg. What should be included in the nurse’s instructions? Select all that apply:
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Solution
Answers: 2, 3, and 4.
Healing of venous stasis ulcers in dependent on relieving the venous congestion in the extremity. Compression devices and elevation of the extremity are the most effective methods. The client should avoid standing for long periods since this increases venous stasis. Moist cool and/or warm packs are NOT used, but moist environment dressings are utilized. Dressings need to be changed as frequently as necessary because there may be excessive drainage.