Management of Care Q 8
Which of these patients in the neurologic ICU will be best to assign to an RN who has floated from the medical unit?
A. A 26-year-old patient with a basilar skull structure who has clear drainage coming out of the nose.
B. A 42-year-old patient admitted several hours ago with a headache and diagnosed with a ruptured berry aneurysm.
C. A 46-year-old patient who was admitted 48 hours ago with bacterial meningitis and has an antibiotic dose due.
D. A 65-year-old patient with an astrocytoma who has just returned to the unit after having a craniotomy.
Correct Answer: C. A 46-year-old patient who was admitted 48 hours ago with bacterial meningitis and has an antibiotic dose due.
This patient is the most stable of the patients listed. An RN from the medical unit would be familiar with administration of IV antibiotics.
Option A: This patient may need the attention of an experienced neurologic RN.
Option B: A rupture of an aneurysm is fatal and should be assigned to a more experienced RN.
Option D: This patient requires assessment and care from RNs more experienced in caring for patients with neurologic diagnoses.