Final answer:
Actions within the scope of nursing practice to improve quality of care include using sterile technique when changing surgical site dressings. Prescribing aspirin and intubating a client usually fall outside this scope, while inserting a central line may or may not be within a nurse's responsibilities, depending on their credentials and local regulations. Following checklists for procedures like central line insertions is a key nursing role.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) has identified various interventions that can improve the quality of care and save lives in a healthcare setting. In regards to the actions within the scope of nursing practice to improve quality of care:
- Prescribing aspirin for a client with an acute myocardial infarction is typically outside the nurse's scope of practice, as this is usually a physician's responsibility.
- Inserting a central line is a procedure that may be performed by advanced practice nurses or nurses with specialized training and credentials, depending on the healthcare facility's policies and state regulations.
- Using sterile technique when changing dressings on a new surgical site is within the scope of nursing practice and is a critical component for preventing infections.
- Intubating a client is generally not within the traditional scope of most nurses and is performed by a physician or other advanced healthcare provider with specialized training.
Nurses play a crucial role in executing many patient care interventions, including advocating for patient safety by observing and adhering to checklists and protocols such as those developed for the insertion of central intravenous lines, as highlighted by Dr. Peter Pronovost's checklist strategy.