I had my first RN job interview today. There was a scenario question that I was kind of short on answers for. How would you have responded?
"You come on shift. You receive report. You check on your patient with ORIF. The lights are off in his room. He's agitated and states pain 10 on a scale of 10. He's sweating and (some other symptom related to pain....can't remember). He says he's been pressing the call button all night long. He says someone came and turned off his light but did nothing else. His call button is stuffed under his pillow out of reach. Family member has just come to visit and is irate demanding to know your name and who is your supervisor, yelling "heads will roll"!
What four things do you do?
Here are my answers, but I think I got the order wrong and forgot one thing:
1. Make such call light is within pt. reach
2. Address irate family by listening, stating name, and supervisor, and that you are remedying situation now by getting pain medication stat.
3. Get pain medication (per chart); administer
4. Careful documentation of the details and events of the situation
Do you think I should have got the meds first before investing time to deal with irate family?
I now think about it, I think that I should have checked the hip first.
I remember an interview question when I was a new grad where i was asked to prioritize ten items in order of how I would handle them. Part of the correct answer was that you didn't freeze up, that you were able to answer the question and defend your answer. Can you think on your feet...
In real life, its always patient care first. I have said to irate family members as I'm simultaneously checking out the patient and getting ready to get them a pain med if available, that I can either help their beloved or I can talk with them. Which would they like me to do first?
Smile, it does gentlely slow down the family and makes them think...
azerrn
43 Posts
I remember an interview question when I was a new grad where i was asked to prioritize ten items in order of how I would handle them. Part of the correct answer was that you didn't freeze up, that you were able to answer the question and defend your answer. Can you think on your feet...
In real life, its always patient care first. I have said to irate family members as I'm simultaneously checking out the patient and getting ready to get them a pain med if available, that I can either help their beloved or I can talk with them. Which would they like me to do first?
Smile, it does gentlely slow down the family and makes them think...