Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Communication & Stakeholder Relations 4

Question 1

A cardiac nurse is escalating a concern about a deteriorating post-CABG patient using the chain of command. After notifying the resident, no action is taken within 30 minutes. What is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Escalate to the attending cardiologist or cardiac surgeon, and if still unresolved, notify the nursing supervisor or use a rapid response system

Answer

The chain of command exists to protect patients; nurses must continue escalating through each level until appropriate action is taken for a deteriorating patient.

Question 2

During a family meeting for a patient awaiting heart transplant listing, the patient's sibling asks the nurse directly if the patient will die without a transplant. The physician is not present. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the question, validate its importance, and offer to arrange a meeting with the physician and transplant team to address prognosis directly

Answer

Nurses should acknowledge prognosis questions honestly while ensuring complex discussions about survival occur with the appropriate physician-led team present.

Question 3

A nurse is providing discharge education to a patient after an acute MI. The patient says, 'I feel fine now — I don't think I need all these medications.' What is the best communication strategy?

Accepted Answer

Use motivational interviewing to explore the patient's beliefs, address misconceptions, and collaboratively reinforce the importance of secondary prevention therapy

Answer

Motivational interviewing respects patient autonomy while using open-ended questions and reflective listening to address ambivalence about medication adherence after MI.

Question 4

A nurse overhears a physician speaking loudly and dismissively to a patient with peripheral vascular disease who asked about alternative treatments. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Intervene calmly in the moment to support the patient, then speak privately with the physician about communication standards and report the behavior if it recurs

Answer

Nurses are patient advocates and must address disrespectful provider-patient communication by supporting the patient and addressing the behavior through appropriate channels.

Question 5

A cardiac nurse is documenting care for a patient who declined a recommended procedure. What must the documentation include to reflect proper informed refusal?

Accepted Answer

The patient's stated reason for refusal, the risks explained to the patient, confirmation that the patient demonstrated decision-making capacity, and the provider notified

Answer

Informed refusal documentation must capture the patient's reasoning, risks communicated, capacity assessment, and provider notification to create a legally and ethically complete record.

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Communication & Stakeholder Relations 4