Author Question: An experienced nurse on a busy telemetry step-down unit walked into the nurse's station to find that ... (Read 133 times)

lilldybug07 · **on:** Jul 17, 2018

An experienced nurse on a busy telemetry step-down unit walked into the nurse's station to find that several of the nurses were criticizing a newly hired licensed practical/vocational nurse (LP/VN)

from the orthopedics unit stating that she did not know anything about cardiac emergency drugs because she is stupid and they planned on making her miserable so she would leave. Which is the best statement for the experienced nurse to help decrease or stop the bullying?
A) You were once inexperienced and I helped you and did not make fun of you, so stop it.
B) I am not going to tolerate the bullying, and I found that she doesn't bully us when we don't know how to set up traction for a trauma client, so she has strengths that can help us, and we should help her.
C) She has not gone through cardiac telemetry training, or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training, so of course she doesn't know the emergency drugs yet.
D) I don't want to hear any gossip about anyone; if you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all.

Question 2

As part of an emergency preparedness program, a nurse learned about the threat of bioterrorism and the appropriate responses to this threat. A mock scenario is presented to the nursing staff.

The emergency room is swarmed by people who were previously healthy with a high fever, flu-like symptoms, productive cough, shortness of breath and anterior chest pain. Which measure should the nurses provide until the cause for the clients symptoms is determined?
A) Wear a mask and gloves.
B) Don a gown and gloves.
C) Wash the hands.
D) Use all available precautions.

aruss1303 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 17, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
The best response is for the experienced nurse to name the behavior specifically, bullying, and make a firm statement that it will not be tolerated. The experienced nurse also pointed out that the nurse has strengths coming from another unit, orthopedics, which she is willing to share and she does not bully the staff of the telemetry unit when they don't know how to set up traction. The nurse should not call bullying a lesser issue, making fun of someone, when there is nothing fun about the behaviors of the nurses plotting to destroy the nurse's career on the unit. Although the nurse should point out that the nurse does not have adequate training, if the nurse does not call the behavior bullying, the nurses may continue to bully. Calling the behavior gossip and using a clich to try to stop the nurses will not affect the nurses as well as calling it what it is, bullying.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
Feedback:
The OSHA defines bioterrorism as the intentional use of microorganisms to bring about ill effects or death to humans, livestock, or crops. Until the potential microorganism causing the illness has been identified, it is best for the nurse to use all available precautions while caring for the client. In this case, the client has a productive cough, so meticulous hand washing, mask, goggles, gown, and gloves are warranted. The nurse should use standard precautions with all clients in general.