Answered wrong on Interview Question

[missrn208]

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?

[nitasarn]

Sorry If you wouldve said pain....you would have been wrong too..IMO. This question is looking if you are able to recognize and prioritize care according to which patient is the least stable. ABCs firsts.

[nitasarn]

But its ok, its just one aspect of the interview. If everything else felt good, then it would be okay.GL

[missrn208]

so i should have said the patient coming from the recovery? they said that pt would have a nurse with them...oh well i guess send my thank you notes out and hope for the best

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

I don't think the person with pain was the answer either. I'd have to check the post op with SOB first, then the person with chest heaviness. Just my opinion...

[beckyboo1, BSN, RN]

so i should have said the patient coming from the recovery? they said that pt would have a nurse with them...oh well i guess send my thank you notes out and hope for the best

You've left out some details then. If a nurse was with the post op, I'd check the person with chest heaviness.

[nitasarn]

patient coming from recovery sounds like a senario for a possible pulmonary embolism which is life threatening.

[missrn208]

well I asked specifically if post-op patients come to the floor with a RN and they said yes, and I did say I would check the patient with chest heaviness first.

I said the SOB was a primary concern but if they were just coming and they had the nurse with them I would go to the chest heaviness and then give pain meds and then go to the post-op nurse to get report, I'm not sure if deferring to the RN bringing the patient to the floor is a good idea....

......anyway thank for your input, much appreciated!!

[Prettyladie]

I would see the chest pain first.

Then SOB from the OR,

Pain medication,

Then the person who wont leave the nursing station.

[JessiekRN]

SOB first. Airway airway airway.

[texasrn4ever]

I agree with airway first! We have been taught that since day one. If you aren't breathing nothing else matters!

I would've said SOB first, chest pain, pain med, person at nurses station

Everyone is nervous in interview so I bet you did great keep a positive outlook!!

Good Luck!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

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?

The pain patient is most definitely not the priority. Patients 2 & 3 take priority over the patient who calls for pain medication. That patient could be a stable post-op who just needs his PRN oxycodone. I'd probably go see the SOB patient and see if another nurse was available to check on Patient #2.