Question

A charge nurse is reviewing a recent incident where a patient fell while trying to reach the bathroom on their own. The patient's care plan indicated that they required assistance with ambulation due to their history of dizziness and unsteadiness. The charge nurse is now evaluating whether there was any negligence involved in the incident. When assessing negligence in a situation like the patient's fall, which question should the charge nurse consider to determine reasonableness?

A) Would a reasonable and prudent nurse act in the same manner under the same circumstances?
B) Were there any witnesses present at the time of the patient's fall?
C) Did the patient's family provide adequate support during the incident?
D) Was the patient's care plan updated to reflect their recent fall risk?

Answer 1

When assessing negligence in a situation like a patient's fall, the charge nurse should consider whether a reasonable and prudent nurse would act in the same manner. The presence of witnesses, support from the patient's family, and the update of the care plan are also relevant considerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing negligence in a situation like a patient's fall, the charge nurse should consider the question: Would a reasonable and prudent nurse act in the same manner under the same circumstances? This question helps determine reasonableness by evaluating the actions of a hypothetical nurse in similar circumstances. If a reasonable and prudent nurse would have provided assistance to the patient based on their care plan and history, then there could be negligence involved.

It is important to note that the presence of witnesses (option B) or the support of the patient's family (option C) may be relevant factors in assessing the incident, but the primary question that helps determine reasonableness is whether a reasonable and prudent nurse would act in the same manner.

Furthermore, the update of the patient's care plan (option D) is also a relevant consideration as it reflects the recognition of the patient's fall risk. If the care plan was not updated to reflect the recent fall risk, it could indicate negligence on the part of the healthcare team.