Author Question: A nurse is in the hallway assisting a patient to ambulate and hears an alarm sound. What is the best ... (Read 56 times)

audie · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A nurse is in the hallway assisting a patient to ambulate and hears an alarm sound. What is the best next step for the nurse to take?

a. Seek out the source of the alarm.
b. Wait to see if the alarm discontinues.
c. Ask another nurse to check on the alarm.
d. Continue ambulating the patient.

Question 2

A patient has fallen several times in the past week when attempting to get to the bathroom. The patient informs the nurse that he gets up 3 or 4 times a night to urinate.

Which recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate in correcting this urinary problem? a. Clear the path to the bathroom of all obstacles before bed.
b. Leave the bathroom light on to illuminate a pathway.
c. Limit fluid and caffeine intake before bed.
d. Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen bladder muscles.

kthug · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
The nurse who heard the alarm has a duty to address it even though she is busy with another patient. Ask someone to check on the alarm. The nurse cannot leave the patient in the hallway to look for the source of the alarm and cause a potentially unsafe situation for this patient, but a patient on the unit may have an urgent need. Someone needs to seek out the source of the alarm and address it. Never ignore an alarm. Alarms are in place to maximize the safety of the patient. Waiting to see if an alarm stops may cause a delay in a possible emergency situation.

Answer to Question 2

C
Reducing fluids, especially caffeine and alcohol, before bedtime can reduce nocturia. Clearing a path to the restroom or illuminating the path, or shortening the distance to the restroom, may reduce falls but will not correct the urination problem. Kegel exercises are useful if a patient is experiencing incontinence.