Author Question: An order written by a physician is reviewed by the nursing staff, and no one is familiar with the ... (Read 34 times)

audie · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

An order written by a physician is reviewed by the nursing staff, and no one is familiar with the treatment instructions. A nurse who was recently hired knows that this treatment is covered by the state's nurse practice act.

What is the nurse's best course of action? a. Call the physician to ask for clarification.
b. Check the state's nurse practice act again.
c. Contact the nursing supervisor for approval to carry out the treatment.
d. Refer to the facility's policy and procedure to determine the course of action.

Question 2

Two nursing students discuss their career plans after graduation. One student wants to enter psychiatric nursing.

The other asks, Why would you want to be a psychiatric nurse? The only thing they do is talk. You'll lose all your skills. Select the best response.
a. Psychiatric nurses practice in safer environments than other specialties. Nurse-to-patient ratios must be better because of the nature of the patients' problems.
b. Psychiatric nurses use complex communication skills as well as critical thinking to solve multidimensional problems. I am challenged by those situations.
c. I think I will be good in the mental health field. I did not like clinical rotations in school, so I do not want to continue them after I graduate.
d. Psychiatric nurses do not have to deal with as much pain and suffering as medical-surgical nurses do. That appeals to me.

softEldritch · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Because this treatment is covered under the state nurse practice act, the next step is to refer to the facility's policy and procedure manual to determine whether the ordered treatment is allowed by the facility. Calling the physician is not necessary because there was no question about how the order was written, and the state's nurse practice act has already been checked. Contacting the nursing supervisor would be acceptable only after the facility's policy has been checked.

Answer to Question 2

B
The practice of psychiatric nursing requires a different set of skills than medical-surgical nursing, though there is substantial overlap. Psychiatric nurses must be able to help patients with medical as well as mental health problems, reflecting the holistic perspective these nurses must have. Nurse-patient ratios and workloads in psychiatric settings have increased, just like other specialties. Psychiatric nursing involves clinical practice, not just documentation. Psychosocial pain and suffering is as real as physical.