RN exams safety and infection control practice questions, set 13
RN exams · safety and infection control
RN exams safety and infection control practice questionsset 13
You stop the harm first: isolation, falls, equipment, and the order that keeps the unit safe. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the RN exams exam guide or more RN exams practice questions.
Five safety and infection control questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?
A. A. Utilitarianism
B. B. Nonmaleficence
C. C. Fidelity
D. D. Veracity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — B. Nonmaleficence
The correct answer is B. Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of "do no harm." In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize relieving the client's pain and suffering while ensuring that the medication does not cause harm or hasten the client's death. Administering the pain medication in this context aligns with the principle of nonmaleficence.
Choice A (Utilitarianism) focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number and may prioritize the client's comfort over prolonging life, which is not the main concern in this scenario. Choice C (Fidelity) relates to being faithful to commitments and agreements and does not directly address the issue of administering pain medication. Choice D (Veracity) pertains to truthfulness and honesty in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision of administering the pain medication in this situation.
Question 2
A parent calls the hospital hot line and is connected to the triage nurse. The caller proclaims: 'I found my child with odd stuff coming from the mouth and an unmarked bottle nearby.' Which of these comments would be the best tool for the nurse to determine if the child has swallowed a corrosive substance?
A. Ask the child if the mouth is burning or throat pain is present.'
B. Take the child's pulse at the wrist and see if the child is has trouble breathing lying flat.'
C. What color is the child's lips and nails and has the child voided today?'
D. Has the child had vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps?'
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Ask the child if the mouth is burning or throat pain is present.'
The correct answer is A because asking the child if the mouth is burning or if there is throat pain can help determine if a corrosive substance has been swallowed. Corrosive substances can cause immediate pain and burning sensation in the mouth and throat. This information is crucial for assessing the severity of the situation and providing appropriate care.
Choice B is incorrect because taking the child's pulse and checking for breathing difficulties do not directly help in identifying if a corrosive substance has been ingested.
Choice C is incorrect because the color of the child's lips and nails and voiding habits are not specific indicators of corrosive substance ingestion.
Choice D is incorrect because symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps can be caused by various factors and may not specifically indicate ingestion of a corrosive substance.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Nonmaleficence
The correct answer is B: Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to do no harm to the patient. In this scenario, the nurse's primary concern should be to alleviate the client's pain and suffering, as withholding pain medication would go against the principle of nonmaleficence. Administering the medication is in the client's best interest to provide comfort and maintain dignity in the end-of-life care.
Summary:
A: Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number of people, which may conflict with the individual patient's well-being.
C: Fidelity pertains to keeping promises and being faithful to commitments, which is not directly relevant to the ethical dilemma presented.
D: Veracity refers to truth-telling and honesty, which is important but not the primary ethical principle to consider in this situation.
Question 4
Which community health nursing activity demonstrates tertiary prevention related to mental health?
A. Disseminating information about mental health to community organizations
B. Partnering with public health nurses (PHNs) for early identification of children with mental health challenges
C. Providing case management services that link clients with serious mental illnesses to mental health and community support services
D. Screening clients at high risk for mental disorders
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Providing case management services that link clients with serious mental illnesses to mental health and community support services
The correct answer is C because providing case management services that link clients with serious mental illnesses to mental health and community support services is an example of tertiary prevention in mental health. Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing the impact of established diseases by preventing complications and promoting rehabilitation. This activity helps individuals with serious mental illnesses access necessary support services to manage their condition and prevent further deterioration.
Choice A is incorrect as it relates to primary prevention by raising awareness and promoting mental health knowledge. Choice B is incorrect as it pertains to secondary prevention by early identification and intervention. Choice D is also incorrect as it involves screening for mental disorders, which falls under primary or secondary prevention but not tertiary prevention.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Nonmaleficence
The correct answer is B: Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm. In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize relieving the client's pain and suffering, as alleviating pain is a fundamental aspect of nursing care. Administering the opioid pain medication PRN is aimed at providing comfort and improving the client's quality of life, not hastening death. By following the principle of nonmaleficence, the nurse is acting in the best interest of the client's well-being.
A: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good for the majority, which may conflict with the individual client's well-being.
C: Fidelity pertains to being faithful and keeping promises, but in this case, the priority is the client's comfort.
D: Veracity is about truthfulness, which is important, but in this context, the focus is on pain management and comfort care.
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Question 6
A patient has a PaO2 of 50 mm Hg and a PaCO2 of 42 mm Hg because of an intrapulmonary shunt. Which therapy is the patient most likely to respond best to?
A. Positive pressure ventilation
B. Oxygen administration at a FIO2 of 100%
C. Administration of O2 per nasal cannula at 1 to 3 L/min
D. Clearance of airway secretions with coughing and suctioning
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Positive pressure ventilation. Positive pressure ventilation helps improve oxygenation by increasing the mean airway pressure, which helps recruit collapsed alveoli and improve ventilation-perfusion matching in the presence of an intrapulmonary shunt. This therapy can effectively increase the PaO2 levels in this patient.
Choice B: Oxygen administration at a FIO2 of 100% may not be sufficient to overcome the intrapulmonary shunt and improve oxygenation significantly.
Choice C: Administration of O2 per nasal cannula at 1 to 3 L/min may not provide enough oxygen to overcome the shunting effect and improve oxygenation adequately.
Choice D: Clearance of airway secretions with coughing and suctioning may be beneficial for airway clearance but is not directly related to correcting the underlying oxygenation issue caused by the intrapulmonary shunt.
The Industrial Revolution caused earlier caregiving approaches—where care was provided by families, friends, and neighbours—to become inadequate because of constantly increasing
A. Which situation also contributed to the inadequacy of caregiving approaches at this time?
B. Ongoing wars, which caused frequent deaths and injuries
C. Horrific plagues that swept through Europe
D. Migration and urbanization
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Migration and urbanization. The Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization and migration as people moved from rural areas to cities for employment in factories. This caused a breakdown in traditional caregiving structures as families were separated, leading to inadequate care from families, friends, and neighbors. This shift in population dynamics disrupted the close-knit support systems that had previously existed in rural communities.
Choice A (Ongoing wars) is incorrect because while wars could have strained caregiving resources, the primary reason for inadequacy during the Industrial Revolution was related to urbanization and migration.
Choice C (Horrific plagues) is also incorrect as it refers to a different historical context and does not directly relate to the inadequacy of caregiving approaches during the Industrial Revolution.
Which approach is the best way to prevent infections when providing care to clients in the home setting?
A. Handwashing before and after examination of clients
B. Wearing nonpowdered latex-free gloves to examine the client
C. Using a barrier between the client's furniture and the nurse's bag
D. Wearing a mask with a shield during any eye/mouth/nose examination
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Handwashing before and after examination of clients. Handwashing is crucial in preventing the spread of infections as it helps eliminate germs on the hands. Before examining clients, handwashing reduces the risk of transferring pathogens from one client to another. After examination, it helps protect the client and the caregiver from potential infections.
Choice B is not the best approach as gloves can sometimes create a false sense of security and may not be as effective as proper handwashing.
Choice C may help prevent cross-contamination between client belongings and the nurse's bag but does not directly address infection prevention during care provision.
Choice D is specific to certain types of examinations and may not be necessary for all client interactions. Handwashing remains the most effective and universal preventive measure.
During a home health visit a nurse talks with a patient and his family caregiver about the patient's medications. The patient has hypertension and renal disease. Which of the following findings place him at risk for an adverse drug event? (Select all that apply.)
A. Taking two medications for hypertension
B. Taking a total of eight different medications during the day
C. Having one physician who reviews all medications
D. Patient's health history of renal disease
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B. Taking a total of eight different medications during the day places the patient at risk for an adverse drug event due to the potential for drug interactions, side effects, and medication errors. With multiple medications, there is a higher risk of medication non-adherence and confusion. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Taking two medications for hypertension is a common practice and may not necessarily increase the risk of an adverse drug event.
C: Having one physician who reviews all medications is a positive factor that can help prevent adverse drug events by ensuring proper coordination of care.
D: The patient's health history of renal disease is important to consider when prescribing medications but does not directly place him at risk for an adverse drug event unless specific medications are contraindicated for renal disease.
A nurse manager observes an unknown man in a laboratory coat making copies of a client's medical record. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first?
A. Notify hospital security.
B. Approach the man and ask why he is making copies.
C. Inform the nursing supervisor.
D. Report the observation to the nurse caring for that client.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Approach the man and ask why he is making copies. This is the first action the nurse should take to immediately address the situation and gather more information. By approaching the man, the nurse can assess the situation directly and potentially stop any unauthorized access to the client's medical record. This action allows for a real-time response and may prevent any further breach of confidentiality.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Notifying hospital security as the first action may cause a delay in addressing the situation directly.
C: Informing the nursing supervisor may be appropriate but should not be the first action as it does not address the immediate concern.
D: Reporting the observation to the nurse caring for the client may not be effective in stopping the unauthorized access and protecting the client's confidentiality.
A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Fidelity
D. Veracity
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm. In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize relieving the client's pain and suffering, as alleviating pain is a fundamental aspect of nursing care. Administering the opioid pain medication PRN is aimed at providing comfort and improving the client's quality of life, not hastening death. By following the principle of nonmaleficence, the nurse is acting in the best interest of the client's well-being.
A: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good for the majority, which may conflict with the individual client's well-being.
C: Fidelity pertains to being faithful and keeping promises, but in this case, the priority is the client's comfort.
D: Veracity is about truthfulness, which is important, but in this context, the focus is on pain management and comfort care.
A nurse is providing care for a surgeon on a medical-surgical unit. A nurse from another unit asks the nurse about the surgeon's medical diagnosis. The nurse responds that he is unable to provide the information requested. The nurse is displaying which of the following ethical principles?
A. Utility
B. Paternalism
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Nonmaleficence. The nurse is displaying the ethical principle of nonmaleficence by protecting the surgeon's right to privacy and confidentiality. By refusing to disclose the surgeon's medical diagnosis, the nurse is prioritizing the principle of doing no harm and preventing potential harm to the surgeon's well-being. This respects the surgeon's autonomy and confidentiality.
Summary of other choices:
A: Utility - This principle focuses on maximizing benefits for the greatest number of people. Not applicable in this scenario.
B: Paternalism - This principle involves making decisions for someone else's best interest. Not applicable as the nurse is respecting the surgeon's autonomy.
C: Justice - This principle involves fairness and equal treatment. Not relevant to the situation as it does not involve distribution of resources or treatment.
A nurse checks with assistive personnel on the unit throughout the shift to determine if they are completing tasks. The nurse is demonstrating which of the following rights of delegation?
A. Right circumstances
B. Right communication
C. Right person
D. Right supervision
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Right supervision. The nurse checking in with assistive personnel to ensure tasks are completed is an example of proper supervision, which is one of the rights of delegation. Supervision involves overseeing and guiding the work of others to ensure tasks are being carried out correctly and safely. This helps maintain accountability and quality of care.
Summary of other choices:
A: Right circumstances - This refers to ensuring the task is appropriate for delegation based on factors such as patient condition and complexity.
B: Right communication - This involves clear and effective communication of tasks, responsibilities, and expectations between the nurse and assistive personnel.
C: Right person - This focuses on selecting the most qualified and competent individual to perform the delegated task based on their skill level and training.
A parent calls the hospital hot line and is connected to the triage nurse. The caller proclaims: 'I found my child with odd stuff coming from the mouth and an unmarked bottle nearby.' Which of these comments would be the best tool for the nurse to determine if the child has swallowed a corrosive substance?
A. Ask the child if the mouth is burning or throat pain is present.'
B. Take the child's pulse at the wrist and see if the child is has trouble breathing lying flat.'
C. What color is the child's lips and nails and has the child voided today?'
D. Has the child had vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps?'
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because asking the child if the mouth is burning or if there is throat pain can help determine if a corrosive substance has been swallowed. Corrosive substances can cause immediate pain and burning sensation in the mouth and throat. This information is crucial for assessing the severity of the situation and providing appropriate care.
Choice B is incorrect because taking the child's pulse and checking for breathing difficulties do not directly help in identifying if a corrosive substance has been ingested.
Choice C is incorrect because the color of the child's lips and nails and voiding habits are not specific indicators of corrosive substance ingestion.
Choice D is incorrect because symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps can be caused by various factors and may not specifically indicate ingestion of a corrosive substance.
During a home health visit a nurse talks with a patient and his family caregiver about the patient's medications. The patient has hypertension and renal disease. Which of the following findings place him at risk for an adverse drug event? (Select all that apply.)
A. Taking two medications for hypertension
B. Taking a total of eight different medications during the day
C. Having one physician who reviews all medications
D. Patient's health history of renal disease
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B. Taking a total of eight different medications during the day places the patient at risk for an adverse drug event due to the potential for drug interactions, side effects, and medication errors. With multiple medications, there is a higher risk of medication non-adherence and confusion. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Taking two medications for hypertension is a common practice and may not necessarily increase the risk of an adverse drug event.
C: Having one physician who reviews all medications is a positive factor that can help prevent adverse drug events by ensuring proper coordination of care.
D: The patient's health history of renal disease is important to consider when prescribing medications but does not directly place him at risk for an adverse drug event unless specific medications are contraindicated for renal disease.
About these RN exams safety and infection control questions
RN exams safety and infection control practice questions, set 13 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.