The nurse is facing a problem with a long-term care client that ...

[aabwk4]

The nurse is facing a problem with a long-term care client that is different from anything encountered by the nurse in the past.
 
  What nursing action is appropriate prior taking the problem to the research committee?
  A) Perform a review of the literature.
  B) Ask the client's family if this is a recurring issue.
  C) Bring the problem up for discussion in the next staff meeting.
  D) Ask the physician for assistance.

Question 2

A novice nurse, who has read several articles about the need to contain healthcare costs, asks how a quality improvement program can contain cost of care. Which responses by the more seasoned nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply.
 
  A) Promoting safety increases the cost of care.
  B) Medication errors decrease the cost of care.
  C) High nurse-to-client ratios result in decreased length of stay.
  D) Increased nursing staff has been linked to decreased infection rates.
  E) Use of computers increases the number of lawsuits.

[dmurph1496]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: A

Prior to beginning a research study, the problem is defined, and then a search is conducted of possible existing studies that have been completed. This search is referred to as a review of the literature. Asking the client's family if the problem is recurring will not help the nurse determine the course of care; it simply tells the nurse that the issue is a recurring one. The physician is not consulted for nursing problems. A staff meeting may net some other opinions but will not give the nurse information regarding studies related to the client's problem.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: C, D

Studies have shown that increasing the nurse-to-client ratio can decrease overall cost because the length of stay, as well as mortality rate, is reduced with RN care. Other studies have shown that increased nursing staff has been linked to a decrease in client infection rates. Medication errors increase cost due to harm to the client and increased length of stay. Promoting safety is a cost-containment measure because it decreases injury to the client and the consequent risk of lawsuits. Computers increase efficiency and reduce cost as a result. Lawsuits do not increase because of computer use; they increase when computers are used improperly.