Interview Scenario Question

[Modine]

Hi,

I had an interview the other day and was asked what I would do in this scenario. First off I was asked how I would deligate 3 pt's and who would I take. There was an alzheimer's pt, a diabetic and the pt with CHF. I said I would give the alzheimer pt to the CNA, the diabetic to the LVN and I would take the CHF pt.

"what would you do for your patient with CHF, pneumonia and shortness of breath, increased HR of 130, increased BP?"

It was a little hard to answer only because I didn't have any other history. So I was wondering how some of you experienced nurses would answer this question.

Thanks

[arelle68]

Sit them up. Slow the IV to keep open rate. Check O2 sat. Titrate O2 to get O2 sat to 90% or above. Assess lung sounds. Is the pt urinating enough to rule out possible kidney failure? Call the doctor and report. Try to get orders to increase O2, and get Duoneb for nebulizer. Is the pt on lasix? Could the dose be increased? Is the antibiotic appropriate to the organism? Is the ABO in a strong enough dose? Is it time to consider comfort measures for the pt? Call the family. It doesn't look good.

[Modine]

Thank you. That was similar to how I answered but when you don't have any other history and don't know how long the pt has been there, what has already been done etc.

[CathyLew]

not really a fair question, as you said, since you don't know the other hx of the patient, or the normal baselines for that patient. I never had an interview where they gave me a pop-quiz. that is one of those situations where you can start to answer, then the person doing the interview can add variable after variable as you answer....

[Modine]

I agree. I think they're looking for real simple things not any elaborate details. I hate these kinds of scenario questions and they always seem to ask them. Although I haven't had that one.