Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Patient portals
NCLEX: A bedside nurse using barcode medication administration is being evaluated for technology-supported nursing care…
Informatics and healthcare technology Management of Care
Case Study
A bedside nurse using barcode medication administration is being evaluated for technology-supported nursing care and patient portals. The nurse reviews this trend: central-line infection rate remains above benchmark after a prevention bundle. Which interpretation and action are most appropriate?
Question
A. Ignore the trend because one data point can be explained later.
B. Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.
C. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
D. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
B. Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.
C. Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.
D. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.
Rationale: Trend questions require comparison with baseline, symptoms, risk, and benchmarks. Safe nursing action begins before a preventable event becomes critical.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Trend questions require comparison with baseline, symptoms, risk, and benchmarks. Safe nursing action begins before a preventable event becomes critical.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.