Past Exam Short Answer Questions Flashcards
Hospitals and other care institutions have a duty of care to patients List three (3) major areas that must be attended to.
Patient Safety Patient Privacy Patient Consent
Discuss the principles of good pain management in the care of acute pain?
Knowledge of analgesics and pathophysiology of pain Complete patient assessment eg pain scale and (PQRSTU) Prompt appropriate intervention Evaluation of effectiveness of treatment and patient education
What are different types of consent nurses gain from patients?
Implied eg Person is unconscious or is an emergency situation Verbal/Written eg I give you permission to perform said act, saying yes etc. Informed consent eg giving them all the facts so they can make a adequate decision
When is consent required from a patient and who can consent for a patient?
Parents when underage, guardians, power of attourney/medical proxy and spouse (if married) Consent is required before procedures such as surgery/physical exams & treatment options, also where privacy is concerned such as a old doctor transferring your notes to your new doctor.
Skeletal fractures or soft tissue injury of limbs can result in the development of compartment syndrome. Using the lower leg as an example- a) Explain what compartment syndrome is at a cellular level, and what factors contribute to the development of compartment syndrome?
Compartment syndrome is where there is an increased tissue pressure within a limited space and affects the circulation/function within the confined area most common from Oedema(swelling) or tight casts. Factors that can contribute to development of compartment syndrome are bone fractures, crush injuries, burns, overly tight bandaging, surgery to blood vessels of an arm or leg, A blood clot in a blood vessel in an arm or leg and extremely vigorous exercise, especially eccentric movements (extension under pressure)
b) Explain the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
Pain, paresthesia (change in sensation), pallor (pale coloration), paralysis, and poikilothermia (inability to control temperature) and pulselessness
c) What is the rationale of all observations in the early detection of compartment syndrome?
To prevent the patient from losing a limb, prevent further loss of limb function and help restore normal function back to the affected area. Neurovascular obs are important in this instance
Neurological observations are an important nursing responsibility; describe what the assessment of the patient will be and how you will conduct this?
Provide patient safety,privacy and consent Assess the patients pupillary response by shining a pen light into there eyes and measuring there reactions. Get the patient to push against my hands using there hands/feet to assess limb strength. Use the Glascow coma scale to measure their LOC and verbal/motor and eye response times Also take the patients vital signs to measure there physiological function and be on the look out for decorticate and decerebrate posturing.
Neurological observations are an important nursing responsibility. A number of terms exist to describe abnormal findings which nurses are often the first to observe. a) Describe the features of a person who has decerebrate posturing.
Person has problems within Midbrain or Pons part of the brain Extensor response arms are e’s These postures indicate an increase in ICP and is an EMERGENCY situation!
b) Describe the features of a person who has decorticate posturing.
Person has problems with cervical spinal tract or cerebral hemisphere Flexor response arms are like C’s “moving into the core of the body These postures indicate an increase in ICP and is an EMERGENCY situation! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/4011087142556392/
Discuss the differences between ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke Haemorrhagic stroke is
results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain.
A ischaemic stroke is
A stroke that is caused by a blood clot is called an ischaemic stroke
Describe the management and nursing care of a patient with a suspected CVA?
Blood thinning agents to prevent further strokes
The acronym RICE is used in nursing. Explain what this means and to whom would you apply it?
Rest Ice Compression Elevation For people who have sprains and strains soft tissue injuries
Identify five (5) key areas in nursing care where issues of negligence have been highlighted.
Failure to work within the scope of practiced failure to follow policies and procedures Failure to follow standards of care, Failure to use equipment in a responsible manner, Failure to assess & monitor & failure to communicate, Failure to document,
