Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Quality improvement indicators
NCLEX: The RN evaluating a clinical practice guideline is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and quality improv…
Statistics or evidence-based practice Management of Care
Case Study
The RN evaluating a clinical practice guideline is being evaluated for evidence-based practice and quality improvement indicators. Assessment data include pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?
Question
A. A stable, long-standing finding that matches the expected care plan.
B. The new finding that pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased.
C. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
D. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.
B. The new finding that pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased.
C. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
D. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. The new finding that pain scores decreased after an intervention, but sedation events also increased.
Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.