Answered wrong on Interview Question

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Hi Everyone,

I just came back from an interview and realized that I answered an important prioritizing question wrong in my interview. My professor for my coronary care course helped me in getting the interview and I am going to see him for class tonight, he was supposed to be on the interview panel but he had to leave for something so I was interviewed by his 2 colleagues. Any ideas on how I can rectify the situation?

The Question was: You have 4 patients and all at the same time 1) Calls for pain medication 2) States he's dizzy and has a heaviness feeling in his chest area 3) a new patient coming from the operating room states he's having SOB 4) A family member won't leave the nurses station until they get an update about a patient.

I said I would see the patient who is dizzy and has a heaviness feeling in his chest.

But what I really should have said was I would give pain medication as pain is the 6th vital sign.

I was so nervous but I answered confidently and I feel the rest of the interview went well, and I know they were impressed with my resume.

Any ideas?

Specializes in Cardiothoracic.

I, too, thought SOB after reading through the choices. The pt could have a life threatening PE, plus airway is #1 focus over chest pain.

I would say SOB, chest pain, Pain, family member wanting update. If you feel the rest of the interview went well, I wouldn't focus too much on this one question. If they wanted you to pass a "test" question, they wouldn't bother with a whole interview--you are a whole person, with other insights and things to offer, its the whole package ;) I would trust your overall confidence and get a good night's sleep. Best wishes you get what you wish for!

Specializes in geriatrics.

I agree with others. Answer according to ABC's. Someone who is short of breath is more of a priority than the person in pain. Family member won't leave the nurses station? You find someone else to deal with them. Not important at all.

Specializes in ED staff.

I'd say the pain in the chest area and the fresh surgery patient that is having sob would tie. You have a potential MI vs potential PE... OK now I see where the surgery patient has a nurse with him. So I guess the nurse that brought him to the unit is waiting to give report so she can get the hell outta dodge before the stinky stuff hits the fan!! If you said the one with chest pain I think you got it right.

Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

To make you feel a little better, last Tuesday my best friend's wife, who just finished her MD Fellowship in a North Texas Pediatric Emergency Program, had her first interview at a mid sized City's Level II ED.

She was asked ("pimped out" they call it when senior MDs put Jr. MDs on the spot) to give a PALS example of a choking infant(doll) where nervously, and with sweaty hands sent the poor baby "flying across the room like a lawn dart!" To make matters worse, she picked the baby up by the head causing the MD to holler, "You reckon you might need a C-Spine Allignment there?" Causing her once again to drop it like a hot potato.

She graduated 3rd/100, in her 4 yr class. I will hold this over her head for a long time to come. I have already bought her some 3M grip gloves for Christmas- I think if you let them know you messed up they'll be alright about it if the rest of the interview went well. Nurses are harsh self critics, were also human;)

Your actions following a mistake say tons about your character!!:)

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I agree with Boston....

Your actions following a mistake say tons about your character!!:)
...If the OR patient coming from the PACU with a nurse and that nurse was still with them......I would check and be sure that nurse needed nothing (so I guess checking that patient first) then I would go to the dizzy chest pain as that can be a PE, MI or cardiac arrhythmia....I would then treat the pain and delegate the family member until I had time.

With these questions, the important thing is not only a good answer but also your rationale.Yes, pain is the 6th vital sign. But pain is not going to kill someone. A PE will. A heart attack will. I would see the SOB first because even if there's a nurse with them, this patient needs attention quickly and possibly will be a 2:1 for a bit while stabilizing them. Then the chest pain. Pain management is a low 3rd priority. You have to take care of your critical patients first. The family member at the desk can camp out there for last.

I would had stated first priority assess pt coming from OR w/ SOB possible PE securing an airway is usually always a top of the list, You can go wrong. Like someone stated what is going to kill you the quickest that is how I prioritized .

Then I would go w/ the acute chest pain because further increasing myocardial oxygen demand creates ischemia in other words is an acute MI

It is normal to get nervous in interviw and with time you will get better.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I would say SOB1st and that I would ask my colleagues to check on the chest pain. However, I have never done acute care in my 23 years of nursing so what do I know? :wacky:

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I agree with the majority: SOB trumps pain. That should be patient #1.

#2 is the chest pain d/t possible MI; #3 is the other pain patient. #4 (or last if other patients end up coming in) is the update-seeker.

Always remember the ABCs.

If it's any consolation, I've botched my fair share of interview questions too. Happens to almost all of us.,.live and learn.

SOB, by NLCEX and HESI standards is NOT considered a critical sign, but chest pain is.

Depending on whether you go by that or the strict definition of ABC, you could argue that either the chest or the post-op patient is first.

But someone's pain medication never, ever comes before a potential emergency.

I had that same question for a fellowship interview in Ohio - I think you'll be fine!

Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I would have chosen the patient with SOB. Always follow your ABC's. Don't beat yourself up over though. Today I answered a question wrong on the interview. I totally knew the answer but could not get it off my tongue. It happens. All you can do is wait and see.

Specializes in Cardiac, homecare, infusion.

I always did everything at once because they are all obviously important tasks,but to give the best answer. Lets just remember in reality.....I probably would have to delegate . While your at the desk, tell the family you will be able to tell them something as soon as you update yourself on all the newest test results so you can have a full understanding of whats going on, but first you have to stablize three other patients. Instruct them to the free coffee and comfy sofa. The family will feel better only hearing this from the Primary Nurse.

At the same time with the phone at your chin be dialing recovery to tell them to hold on the patient who is SOB from the O.R. for twenty minutes or so. (In any case the SOB patient would come first.) With your right index finger, motion over to an already overloaded CNA if you have one and ask if they can get a set of vitals and an EKG on the chest pain/dizziness client, press another out-going line and call the house officer or PA, then medicate your pain patient.

Of course answering an NCCLEX review question like "oh SOB" easy ABCs; airway first is probably going to look good at interview, but answering the question and going a little bit out of the norm to explain how and why you are doing the steps will resonate with the interviewer. It is what they actually look for. This is just an opinion.

SM

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