Question

The nurse notes that the nursing assistant did not provide oral care to the patient as directed. Where is the best location for the nurse to address this lapse with the nursing assistant?

a. In the patient's room
b. At the nurse's station
c. In the nursing unit hallway
d. In a private conference room

Answer 1

The best location for a nurse to address the lapse by a nursing assistant is in a private conference room, which provides privacy and professional setting for addressing performance issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best location for the nurse to address the lapse in care by the nursing assistant is d. In a private conference room. This setting ensures privacy and maintains the professionalism needed when discussing performance-related issues. It is not appropriate to discuss these matters in the patient's room, at the nurse's station, or in the nursing unit hallway, as these are public areas and the conversation could inadvertently breach confidentiality or expose the staff member to unnecessary embarrassment or scrutiny. Furthermore, a private setting allows both parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue without disturbances.

During the review, the nurse can address the lack of oral care provided and reiterate the importance of following care protocols. This can also be an opportunity to review the name of the procedure and ensure the nursing assistant understands all the responsibilities, including checks such as equipment issues, instrument counts, and labeling specimens correctly, to prevent similar lapses in the future.