Author Question: The nurse has administered an anxiolytic as a preoperative medication to the patient going to ... (Read 78 times)

Redwolflake15 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse has administered an anxiolytic as a preoperative medication to the patient going to surgery. Which of the following is the best next step?

a. Waste any unused medication according to policy.
b. Notify the operating suite that the medication has been given.
c. Instruct the patient to call for help to go to the restroom.
d. Ask the patient to sign the consent for surgery.

Question 2

The hospital's quality improvement committee has identified a problem on one of the units. In using the PDSA method to help determine ways to deal with the issue, the committee decides to do a literature review.

This is an example of quality improvement a. Combined with evidence-based practice.
b. With inability to make the right decision.
c. With delay in the action needed.
d. With no designated method for dealing with issues.

Bison · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Once a medication has been administered, instruct the patient to call for help when getting out of bed to prevent falls. For patient safety, explain the purpose of a preoperative medication and its effects. Reinforce to the patient to stay in the bed or on the stretcher. Raise the side rails and keep the bed or stretcher in the low position. Place the call light within easy reach of the patient. Notifying the operating suite that the medication has been given may be part of a facilities procedure but is not the best next step. It is important to have the patient sign consents before the patient has received medication that may make him/her drowsy. Wasting unused medication according to policy is important but is not the best next step.

Answer to Question 2

A
Quality improvement combined with evidence-based practice is the foundation for excellent patient care and outcomes. Once a committee defines a problem, it applies a formal model for exploring and resolving quality concerns. One part of the PDSA cycle is the Do section, which requires the selection of an intervention on the basis of data reviewed. Therefore the committee is taking the right action and is not unduly delaying action; data must be obtained that are needed to make the right decision as part of the PDSA method, which is in place.