The unit is extremely busy when the physician orders that a urinary catheter be inserted in a patient. The patient's assigned nurse is new, has seen the procedure done, but has never done it independently. How should the charge nurse handle this situation?
A) The charge nurse should assist the new nurse with the procedure.
B) The charge nurse should ask the new nurse to try the procedure alone.
C) The charge nurse should assign the task to a different nurse.
D) The charge nurse should do the procedure to save time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: Two things are taken into account in this situation. The task needs to be done efficiently and safely. The new nurse needs to have experience in doing this common task. The most logical way to assure both those needs are filled is for the charge nurse to assist the new nurse with the procedure.
Rationale 2: If the charge nurse asks the new nurse to do the procedure alone, the charge nurse may end up having to do it anyway or the patient outcomes might be compromised.
Rationale 3: Assigning the task to a different nurse takes that nurse away from assigned patients and does not fulfill the need to help the new nurse learn the skill.
Rationale 4: If the charge nurse does the insertion, a valuable teaching opportunity for the new nurse has been missed.

The Unit Is Extremely Busy When the Physician Orders That