RN exams safety and infection control practice questions, set 3
RN exams · safety and infection control
RN exams safety and infection control practice questionsset 3
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
The new graduate RN needs to have a preceptor assigned to him as he begins working in the pediatric clinic. The BEST person for this assignment would be
A. The charge RN who is a natural leader and knows all of the policies.
B. The staff RN who has 3 years of experience and enjoys orienting new employees.
C. The LPN with 15 years of experience who knows all of the doctors' preferences.
D. The staff RN with 10 years of experience who refuses to work with students.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — The staff RN who has 3 years of experience and enjoys orienting new employees.
The correct answer is B, the staff RN with 3 years of experience who enjoys orienting new employees. This choice is the best because of the staff RN's combination of experience and willingness to mentor. The 3 years of experience indicate a good foundation of knowledge and skills, making them a suitable preceptor for the new graduate. Additionally, their enjoyment of orienting new employees suggests they have a positive attitude towards teaching and mentoring, which is crucial for a successful preceptor-preceptee relationship.
A: The charge RN may be a natural leader and know policies, but that doesn't necessarily translate to being the best preceptor for a new graduate who needs guidance and support in clinical practice.
C: The LPN may have extensive experience and knowledge of doctor's preferences, but the scope of practice and educational background differ from that of an RN, making them less suitable for preceptorship.
D: The staff RN with 10 years of experience refusing to work with students is not an ideal
Question 2
A nurse is planning care for four clients and is assigning tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?
A. Complete an admission assessment for a client who has COPD.
B. Measure intake and output for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter.
C. Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty.
D. Develop a plan of care for a client who has cholecystitis.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty.
The correct answer is C: Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty. Assigning this task to the LPN is appropriate because it involves medication education, which falls within the scope of practice for an LPN. LPNs are trained to provide patient education and reinforce teaching related to medications. This task does not involve making clinical judgments or assessments beyond the scope of an LPN's practice.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: Completing an admission assessment for a client with COPD requires critical thinking and assessment skills that are typically within the scope of a registered nurse, not an LPN.
B: Measuring intake and output for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter involves monitoring for potential complications and assessing the need for interventions, which are responsibilities of a registered nurse.
D: Developing a plan of care for a client with cholecystitis also requires critical thinking and assessment skills that exceed
Question 3
The new graduate RN needs to have a preceptor assigned to him as he begins working in the pediatric clinic. The BEST person for this assignment would be
A. The charge RN who is a natural leader and knows all of the policies.
B. The staff RN who has 3 years of experience and enjoys orienting new employees.
C. The LPN with 15 years of experience who knows all of the doctors' preferences.
D. The staff RN with 10 years of experience who refuses to work with students.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — The staff RN who has 3 years of experience and enjoys orienting new employees.
The correct answer is B, the staff RN with 3 years of experience who enjoys orienting new employees. This choice is the best because of the staff RN's combination of experience and willingness to mentor. The 3 years of experience indicate a good foundation of knowledge and skills, making them a suitable preceptor for the new graduate. Additionally, their enjoyment of orienting new employees suggests they have a positive attitude towards teaching and mentoring, which is crucial for a successful preceptor-preceptee relationship.
A: The charge RN may be a natural leader and know policies, but that doesn't necessarily translate to being the best preceptor for a new graduate who needs guidance and support in clinical practice.
C: The LPN may have extensive experience and knowledge of doctor's preferences, but the scope of practice and educational background differ from that of an RN, making them less suitable for preceptorship.
D: The staff RN with 10 years of experience refusing to work with students is not an ideal
Question 4
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a terminal illness and is ventilator-dependent. The client is alert and oriented and he wants to discontinue use of the ventilator. The nurse should be aware that continued treatment against the client's wishes is a violation of which of the following ethical principles?
A. A. Veracity
B. B. Autonomy
C. C. Fidelity
D. D. Justice
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — B. Autonomy
The correct answer is B. Autonomy. Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects an individual's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the client is alert and oriented and has expressed the wish to discontinue the ventilator. As a nurse, it is important to respect the client's autonomy and honor their decision. Continuing treatment against the client's wishes would be a violation of their autonomy.
Explanation for other choices:
A. Veracity: Veracity refers to honesty and truthfulness. In this scenario, the issue is not about honesty but about respecting the client's wishes.
C. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to being faithful and honoring commitments. While fidelity is important in nursing practice, in this case, it is more relevant to respect the client's autonomy.
D. Justice: Justice refers to fairness and equality. While justice is important in healthcare, in this scenario, the main concern is respecting the client's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own
Question 5
A nurse is planning care for four clients and is assigning tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?
A. Complete an admission assessment for a client who has COPD.
B. Measure intake and output for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter.
C. Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty.
D. Develop a plan of care for a client who has cholecystitis.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty.
The correct answer is C: Reinforce teaching to a client to begin taking enoxaparin at home following a hip arthroplasty. Assigning this task to the LPN is appropriate because it involves medication education, which falls within the scope of practice for an LPN. LPNs are trained to provide patient education and reinforce teaching related to medications. This task does not involve making clinical judgments or assessments beyond the scope of an LPN's practice.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: Completing an admission assessment for a client with COPD requires critical thinking and assessment skills that are typically within the scope of a registered nurse, not an LPN.
B: Measuring intake and output for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter involves monitoring for potential complications and assessing the need for interventions, which are responsibilities of a registered nurse.
D: Developing a plan of care for a client with cholecystitis also requires critical thinking and assessment skills that exceed
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Question 6
A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?
A. Provide an inservice on medication administration to all the nurses.
B. Require staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination.
C. Review the events leading up to each medication administration error.
D. Develop a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Review the events leading up to each medication administration error. This strategy should be initiated first because it allows the committee to identify the root causes of the errors, understand the contributing factors, and implement targeted interventions to prevent future errors. By reviewing the events, the committee can analyze system weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based practices to enhance medication safety.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Providing an inservice on medication administration to all nurses may be beneficial, but it does not address the specific issues that led to the errors.
B: Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency through an examination is important, but it is more effective after identifying and addressing the root causes of errors.
D: Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is essential, but it is more effective after understanding the underlying reasons for the errors.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a terminal illness and is ventilator-dependent. The client is alert and oriented and he wants to discontinue use of the ventilator. The nurse should be aware that continued treatment against the client's wishes is a violation of which of the following ethical principles?
A. A. Veracity
B. B. Autonomy
C. C. Fidelity
D. D. Justice
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B. Autonomy. Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects an individual's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the client is alert and oriented and has expressed the wish to discontinue the ventilator. As a nurse, it is important to respect the client's autonomy and honor their decision. Continuing treatment against the client's wishes would be a violation of their autonomy.
Explanation for other choices:
A. Veracity: Veracity refers to honesty and truthfulness. In this scenario, the issue is not about honesty but about respecting the client's wishes.
C. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to being faithful and honoring commitments. While fidelity is important in nursing practice, in this case, it is more relevant to respect the client's autonomy.
D. Justice: Justice refers to fairness and equality. While justice is important in healthcare, in this scenario, the main concern is respecting the client's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own
A nurse is serving on a continuous quality improvement (CQI) committee that has been assigned to develop a program to reduce the number of medication administration errors following a sentinel event at the facility. Which of the following strategies should the committee plan to initiate first?
A. Provide an inservice on medication administration to all the nurses.
B. Require staff nurses to demonstrate competency by passing a medication administration examination.
C. Review the events leading up to each medication administration error.
D. Develop a quality improvement program for nurses involved in medication administration errors.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Review the events leading up to each medication administration error. This strategy should be initiated first because it allows the committee to identify the root causes of the errors, understand the contributing factors, and implement targeted interventions to prevent future errors. By reviewing the events, the committee can analyze system weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based practices to enhance medication safety.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Providing an inservice on medication administration to all nurses may be beneficial, but it does not address the specific issues that led to the errors.
B: Requiring staff nurses to demonstrate competency through an examination is important, but it is more effective after identifying and addressing the root causes of errors.
D: Developing a quality improvement program for nurses involved in errors is essential, but it is more effective after understanding the underlying reasons for the errors.
A nurse is caring for a client who is participating in a research study for an experimental chemotherapy medication. After three treatments, the experimental medication is discontinued due to evidence of rapidly advancing kidney failure. The nurse should understand discontinuing this medication demonstrates which of the following ethical principles?
A. A. Veracity
B. B. Autonomy
C. C. Fidelity
D. D. Nonmaleficence
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D, Nonmaleficence. This principle emphasizes the obligation to do no harm to the patient. By discontinuing the experimental medication upon evidence of rapidly advancing kidney failure, the nurse is prioritizing the patient's well-being and preventing further harm. This decision aligns with the ethical duty to avoid causing harm to the patient.
Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect:
A. Veracity: Veracity refers to truth-telling. Discontinuing the medication is not specifically related to truth-telling but rather to preventing harm.
B. Autonomy: Autonomy relates to respecting the patient's right to make decisions about their care. Discontinuing the medication may be a decision made by the healthcare team based on patient safety, not necessarily the patient's autonomous choice.
C. Fidelity: Fidelity involves being faithful and maintaining trust in the patient-nurse relationship. Discontinuing the medication can be seen as upholding fidelity by acting in the patient's
A client diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia presents in an emergency department (ED) with uncontrollable tongue movements, stiff neck, and difficulty swallowing. The nurse would expect the physician to recognize which condition and implement which treatment?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and treat by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
B. Agranulocytosis and treat by administration of clozapine (Clozaril)
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms and treat by administration of benztropine (Cogentin)
D. Tardive dyskinesia and treat by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
Correct answer:
Step 1: The client's symptoms of uncontrollable tongue movements, stiff neck, and difficulty swallowing are indicative of a movement disorder commonly associated with long-term antipsychotic use, known as tardive dyskinesia.
Step 2: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary repetitive movements, often affecting the face and tongue, and can be irreversible if not addressed promptly.
Step 3: The standard treatment for tardive dyskinesia involves discontinuing the offending antipsychotic medication, as these symptoms are typically a side effect of prolonged exposure to dopamine-blocking medications.
Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is D: Tardive dyskinesia and treat by discontinuing antipsychotic medications. This approach aims to halt the progression of symptoms and potentially reverse some of the effects of the condition.
Summary:
A: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome presents with fever, altered mental status, muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability. Treatment involves discontin
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 that emphasizes the duty to do no harm to the patient. In this situation, by not administering the pain medication, the nurse is ensuring that the client is not being harmed or hastened towards death. Administering the medication would be to alleviate suffering, not to hasten death.
A: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good for the majority. In this case, it could be argued that administering the medication would provide the greatest good for the client, but it does not directly address the concern of potentially hastening death.
C: Fidelity pertains to being faithful to commitments and maintaining trust. While important, it does not directly address the immediate ethical dilemma of administering pain medication in this situation.
D: Veracity relates to truthfulness and honesty. While crucial in communication with the client, it is not the primary ethical principle to consider in this specific scenario.
Which of the following are the major sources of air pollution in the United States? (Select all that apply.)
A. Burning of fossil fuels
B. Waste incineration
C. Wood burning fireplaces
D. Motor vehicles
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are major sources of air pollution due to the release of harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants contribute to smog, acid rain, and climate change.
Explanation:
1. Fossil fuels are widely used for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes.
2. Combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants into the air.
3. The pollutants contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain, impacting air quality and the environment.
4. The release of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is a significant contributor to climate change.
Summary:
B: Waste incineration is a source of air pollution but not as significant as burning fossil fuels.
C: Wood burning fireplaces can contribute to local air pollution but are not a major source at the national level.
D: Motor vehicles are significant sources of air pollution, but the question
A charge nurse is providing an inservice for staff nurses on the use of new IV pumps. Which of the following actions should the charge nurse take to best evaluate staff competency with the new equipment?
A. Ask each nurse to read the procedure and sign a form acknowledging competency.
B. Allow time during the workday when each nurse can demonstrate proficiency.
C. Require each nurse to take a written examination about the new equipment.
D. Verbally question the staff about the new equipment.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B because allowing nurses to demonstrate proficiency during the workday is the most effective way to evaluate their competency with the new IV pumps. This method ensures hands-on experience and real-time application of knowledge. It allows the charge nurse to observe each nurse in action, identify any areas needing improvement, and provide immediate feedback. This approach is more practical and directly assesses the nurses' ability to use the equipment correctly.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because:
A: Asking nurses to read and sign a form only shows that they have acknowledged the procedure, but it does not demonstrate their actual competency in using the equipment.
C: Requiring a written examination tests theoretical knowledge but does not assess practical skills in using the IV pumps.
D: Verbally questioning the staff may not accurately reflect their hands-on competency and may not provide a comprehensive evaluation of their proficiency with the new equipment.
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 that emphasizes the duty to do no harm to the patient. In this situation, by not administering the pain medication, the nurse is ensuring that the client is not being harmed or hastened towards death. Administering the medication would be to alleviate suffering, not to hasten death.
A: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good for the majority. In this case, it could be argued that administering the medication would provide the greatest good for the client, but it does not directly address the concern of potentially hastening death.
C: Fidelity pertains to being faithful to commitments and maintaining trust. While important, it does not directly address the immediate ethical dilemma of administering pain medication in this situation.
D: Veracity relates to truthfulness and honesty. While crucial in communication with the client, it is not the primary ethical principle to consider in this specific scenario.
Which action will the community health nurse take during the primary prevention stage of bioterrorism preparedness?
A. Participating in disaster simulations
B. Recognizing signs and symptoms of a bioterrorist attack
C. Immediately treating disease caused by a biologic agent
D. Responding to the psychological aftermath of the bioterrorism event
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Participating in disaster simulations. During the primary prevention stage of bioterrorism preparedness, the focus is on preventing the event from occurring. By participating in disaster simulations, the community health nurse can practice response protocols, identify gaps in preparedness, and enhance coordination with other agencies. This proactive approach helps in developing effective response strategies and improving overall readiness.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B: Recognizing signs and symptoms of a bioterrorist attack - This is more relevant to the early detection and response stages, not primary prevention.
C: Immediately treating disease caused by a biologic agent - This is part of the secondary prevention stage focused on early treatment to prevent complications.
D: Responding to the psychological aftermath of the bioterrorism event - This falls under the tertiary prevention stage, which involves addressing the long-term consequences of the event.
About these RN exams safety and infection control questions
RN exams safety and infection control practice questions, set 3 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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