The nurse is to take a meal tray to a patient the nurse knows nothing about. Before leaving the tray with the patient, which is the most critical safety factor the nurse should determine?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary goal for any nurse is delivery of safe patient care. Confirming the patient's ability to swallow is critical before leaving a meal tray in reach. Del Bueno remarks that the beginning RN must meet a minimum set of competencies to be safe in the new role. These competencies include the ability to recognize problems from presenting signs and symptoms, awareness of the urgency of a situation and acting appropriately, capacity to design a care plan that safely meets the needs of the patient, and understanding the nature of the care plan in relation to the patient's medical and nursing problems.

The Nurse Is to Take a Meal Tray to a Patient