The family of a critically ill patient tells the nurse that they have not spoken with the physician in over 12
hours and that they have some questions they want clarified. During morning rounds, the nurse conveys
this concern to the attending intensivist and arranges a meeting with the family at 4:00 PM. Which
competency of critical care nursing does this represent?
A. Advocation in solving ethical issues
B. Demonstration of clinical judgement skills
C. Collaboration with patients, families, and team members
Facilitation of learning for patients, families and team members - ANS - CollaborationCollarboration with
patients, families, and team members
Comparing the patient's current (home) medications with those ordered during hospitalization and
communicating a complete list of medications to the next provider when the patient is transferred to
another setting are strategies to:
A. prevent wasteful spending of underutilized medications
B. improve accuracy of patient identification
C. reduce harms associated with the administration of potent medications such as anticoagulants
D. Reconcile medications across the continuum of care - ANS - D. Reconcile medications across the
continuum of care
The intensive care nurse is working on a committee to increase safety in the unit. Which
recommendation should the nurse propose first?
A. Invest in call lights that age the nursing staff instead of turn on a light outside of the rom
B.change telephones to blinking lights instead of audible ringtones
C. Ensure alarms at the bedside are not silenced
D. Recommend that nurses turn off cardiac monitors on stable patients - ANS - C. Ensure alarms at the
bedside are not silenced
, Which nursing intervention would best support the family of a critically ill patient?
A. Limit visitation of children in the critical care unit
B. Give condition update each morning and whenever changes occur
C. Encourage family members to stay all night in care the patient needs them
D. Provide beverages and snacks in the waiting room - ANS - B. Give condition update each morning and
whenever changes occur
The nurse is caring for a patient whose condition has deteriorated and who is not responding to
standard treatment. The physician calls for an ethical consultation with the family to discuss potential
withdrawal of treatment versus aggressive treatment. The nurse understands that applying a model for
ethical decision making involves which of the following? (Select all that apply)
A. Organizational cost savings
B. Burden VS benefit
C. Potential outcomes of treatment options
D. Patients wishes - ANS - B. Burden VS benefit
C. Potential outcomes of treatment options
D. Patients wishes
The nurse is caring for a patient who is not responding to medical treatment. The intensivist holds a
conference with the family and a decision is made to withdraw life support. The nurse's religious beliefs
are not in agreement with the withdrawal of life support. However, the nurse assists with the process to
avoid confronting the charge nurse. Afterward the nurse feels guilty for "killing the patient." This
scenario is likely to cause:
A. moral distress.
B. abandonment.
C. family stress.
D. negligence. - ANS - A. Moral distress
A patient with end-stage heart failure is experiencing considerable dyspnea. Appropriate palliative
management of this symptom during "comfort care only" includes:
A. an increase in the amount of oxygen being delivered to the patient.
B. administration of midazolam (Versed).