Fundamentals: Chapter 27: Patient Safety
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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.
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
care needs?
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
,Fundamentals: Chapter 27: Patient Safety
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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. The nurse adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. At
which temperature range will the 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
the following 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.
, Fundamentals: Chapter 27: Patient Safety
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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 a patient's incision is a Never Event. No blood
incompatibility reaction is safe practice. Pulmonary embolism after certain orthopedic
procedures is like a total knee and hip replacement. Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
are Never Events.
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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.
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
care needs?
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
,Fundamentals: Chapter 27: Patient Safety
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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. The nurse adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. At
which temperature range will the 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
the following 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.
, Fundamentals: Chapter 27: Patient Safety
and Quality (Latest Update )
Questions & Verified Answers 100% Correct
[Grade A]
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 a patient's incision is a Never Event. No blood
incompatibility reaction is safe practice. Pulmonary embolism after certain orthopedic
procedures is like a total knee and hip replacement. Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
are Never Events.
