Please see below further interview questions and answers, please remember my answers are not conclusive and

to try and think of others yourselves. All answers must have lots of detail when possible. Try to imagine you are in the situation and explain step by step what you would do. If you are asked about a question where you have never experienced the situation then just say what you would do if this did happen to you. Lots of detail in your answers is the key to passing the interview. If you are giving out the medications and a patient refuses to take the medicine, what would you do? I would try to find out why they do not wish to take them and answer any questions they may have about the medication I would explain the importance of taking them and what might happen if they don't (without scaring them!) I would ask another nurse to try and ask the patient I would try a little later on to see if they might take them If they still would not take them, I would consider phoning a family member who might be able to speak to them over the phone and persuade them to take them. Failing everything I would ensure I document it correctly in their medicine prescription kardex and in the patients notes. If this continued to happen I would speak to the GP to advise of the situation and discuss alternatives

What qualities do you think are important for a Nurse in care of the elderly? I believe that all nurses regardless of who they look after should be kind, caring, patient, be trustworthy, motivated, honest, reliable, punctual, sympathetic and be able to prioritise the care needs of all their patients. In relation to caring for elderly I believe you need to have a bit more patience as the elderly can be very slow at daily tasks eg eating, washing, dressing ect..but it is part of our job to promote independence wherever possible and to be patient during each task. We also need good understanding of dementia and the best ways in which to deal with its symptoms, this usually entails getting to know patients on an individual basis and what may be a good intervention or one patient may not work for the next. Taking time to get to know my patients is therefore essential to a good working relationship.

If a patient collapses what would you do? Assess the situation, is it safe to approach the patient? Call for help Assess the patient ABC - commence CPR if necessary, follow the CPR protocol and get the necessary help. If not necessary and patient is still conscious ask how they feel now, how they felt before it happened and when it happened? Make patient comfortable until able to decide if it is safe to move them or do you need a medical assessment Maybe speak with or get the GP on call to assess or emergency ambulance Check clinical observations (b/p, pulse, respirations, spo2,) Monitor as condition dictates Document incident Complete an incident form Inform family if patient allows or if an emergency situation

You have a patient with non insulin diabetes and their BM is between 3 & 4. What would you do? Check what the patients normal range is for this time of day Ask if they have eaten, or are they about to eat? Ask how they feel? Review plan in place for patients diabetes treatment and treat as per plan. If there is no plan in place and the BM is low for them I will ensure I give them something to eat (biscuits, glass of milk or coke) Recheck BM after 30 mins and again if seen necessary If it continues to be low/lower consider using glucogel

Contact GP if still concerned Advise patient to call for nurse should they feel in anyway different (increased heart rate, perspiration, agitated, blurred vision...) Monitor situation, do they take oral medication for their diabetes, does it need reviewed

Document situation and ensure other staff members are informed. Do you understand the term abuse. Explain to me what you the term abuse means to you? Abuse is any action that intentionally harms or injures another person. It also encompasses inappropriate use of any substance, especially those that alter consciousness (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines). There are several major types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, elder abuse, and psychological abuse.

If you are the nurse in charge and a nurse called in sick, what would you do? Ask the sick nurse to keep us up to date of when she will return Look at the staff roster and try to make changes by asking other staff to swap shifts or do extra Cover any immediate shift myself if I an unable to get cover Follow the policy in place for emergency cover eg: phone nursing agency if possible Advise the manager of the situation when they return

How will you manage a new admission? I will admit the patient as per the policy/procedure in place. I will assess what needs addressing and prioritise I will assess the patients 'Activities of daily living' Maintaining a safe environment, Communication, Breathing, Eating and drinking, Elimination, Washing and dressing, Controlling temperature, Mobilisation, Working and playing, Expressing sexuality, Sleeping, Death and dying and prepare care plans accordingly. I will orientate the patient to the new environment and show them how to call for assistance.

I will explain the day to day routine and ask about their likes, dislike, preferences eg; do they like to eat in the dining room with others or alone in their room. Ask them what they consider to be of most importance to them whilst staying with us and advise others of these things to try and make them feel as comfortable as possible. This list is endless.......

A resident has a history of chronic heart failure, with a low bp, poor oral intake over 24 hours also taking diuretic, what action would you take? I appreciate the resident has heart failure however I would hold the diuretic until I had the patient assessed by a doctor. I would ask the resident to remain on bed rest with their legs raised to try and increase the b/p I would ask why they have not been drinking and treat any problems in relation to this and advise the importance of drinking I would assist with drinking needs I would carry out anything ordered by the doctor e.g.; IV Fluids, monitoring of input and output, regular monitoring of clinical observations (bp, pulse, resp ect) Ensure the patient is comfortable and has the nurse call bell to hand. Advise patient not to mobilise alone until we get the bp at satisfactory level, in case they should feel light headed and faint. Advise all staff on shift of the situation Document everything

What action would you take if you find a resident on the floor complaining of leg pain? Get help Assess the situation and approach if safe to do so Ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible whilst you assess them Assess the patient -how did it happen, did the fall, where is the pain, what type of pain is it, is the pain constant Check the clinical observations - temp, pulse, bp ect...

Look at the leg for signs of a break, did they hear a crack Speak with the doctor or phone for an ambulance dependent on the assessment Only mobilise if certain there is no break otherwise await the doctor or ambulance and make patient as comfortable as possible

You find a resident who is non responsive, what action would you take? call for help immediately instigate CPR protocol - ABCD.... (At this point in your interview, (please explain each step of CPR and what you will do and why)

If you are the nurse on day shift and two residents develop vomiting and diarrhoea, what action would you take? Immediately instigate the protocol for possible infection prevention spread eg: wearing appropriate clothing when entering the rooms, putting up signs on doors if appropriate, wash clothing and bedding as per policy for infected linen. Inform patient of possible infection status and allow time for questions and relieve anxieties. Obtain samples of faeces for testing (send for O and S and CDIF if seen necessary) (organism and sensitivity and clostridium dificile)( to send for cdif the sample must be water like and if this is suspected then alcohol gel must not be used for hand decontamination and soap and water washing is essential) Isolate the patients to their room Inform all staff of possible infection status including domestic staff (cleaners) and kitchen staff Ensure nurse in charge is aware Speak with the doctor and carry out anything they request monitor the patient for signs of dehydration, commence on an input and output chart monitor dietary intake administer anti-emetics, anti-diarrhoea medications as the doctor has prescribe Limit visitors to the residents and ensure they are aware of hygiene procedures.

Inform kitchen staff and discuss the last 24 hours menu, ???could it be food poisoning??? Possibly stop visitors entering home if more residents develop symptoms

How would you ensure your patient/residents would have a happy life? Each patient should be assessed on an individual basis about their likes and dislikes Every effort should then be made to ensure that each individuals likes are addressed eg 'playing bingo or other games, receiving books to read, watching television programmes, going on trips out. Ensuring they are receiving food and drinks that they like Ensuring they are comfortable at all times especially if they are bed/chair bound Being respectful of their religious beliefs and having ministers visit if they request Ensuring dignity is maintained at all times Promoting their independence

Could you explain why diet is important for elderly patients? Maintaining your cardiovascular health during the later years of life is important, particularly because heart disease was avoid eating foods that contain unhealthy fats and to increase your intake of healthy fats. Unhealthy fats -- such as trans fats found in processed As you age, your bones begin to lose strength. Bone-related diseases, such as osteomalacia and osteoporosis, are associated with increased risk of fractures. Vitamin D and calcium are important nutrients that can help you maintain strong bones. Good nutrition can help you sustain your mental health. Older people are at increased risk of experiencing depression, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Older adults are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular, metabolic and cancer-related diseases due to inadequate dietary intakes of nutrients; prolonged malnourishment results in rapid deterioration of health and early death. Healthy nutrition habits as you age are imperative not only for physical wellness, but also mental well-being and quality of life. Improving the nutrition habits of an elderly patient involves recognizing the physiological changes that impact appetite and creatively formulating a plan that works for the individual.

Calories supply the body with energy to conduct normal daily activities. A nutritious diet can significantly improve health and quality of life in older adults. Along with avoiding tobacco and remaining physical active, a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

There can be a number of challenges managing elderly or dementia patients. What difficulties do you think you will face? Non compliance from the patient - e.g.: with taking medications, eating, allowing assistance with personal hygiene needs. Patient forgetting things (e.g. who they are, where they live, how to do things.....) Possible aggression. Depression. Inappropriate behaviours

If you had a patient has problems with falling a lot, how would you manage this? What do you think some of the causes would be? Speak with the patient and find out why they think it is happening. Try to find out the cause and manage it appropriately (eg: what is their diet like, have they got pains, Assess patient safety and commence any protocol seen necessary to prevent further falling Ensure nurse call bell is to hand at all times

What do you understand the word dignity to mean? Dignity is a term used in moral, ethical, legal, and political discussions to signify that a being has an innate right to be valued and receive ethical treatment. The RCN believes that every member of the nursing workforce should prioritise dignity in care, placing it at the heart of everything we do. Yet while dignity is clearly a vital component of care, the RCN is concerned that it is beginning to be lost. When dignity is absent from care, people feel devalued, lacking control and comfort. They may also lack confidence, be unable to make decisions for themselves, and feel humiliated, embarrassed and ashamed.

Providing dignity in care centres on three integral aspects: respect, compassion and sensitivity. In practice, this means: Respecting patients' and clients' diversity and cultural needs; their privacy - including protecting it as much as possible in large, open-plan hospital wards; and the decisions they make Being compassionate when a patient or client and/or their relatives need emotional support, rather than just delivering technical nursing care Demonstrating sensitivity to patients' and clients' needs, ensuring their comfort. Patients and clients can also experience dignity - or its absence - in what they wear, such as gowns, and in the physical environment where treatment takes place. For example: facilities such as toilets should be well maintained and cleaned regularly curtains between beds should close properly to offer some measure of privacy toilet doors should be closed when in use bays in wards should be single-sex gowns should be designed and made in a way that allows them to be fastened properly to avoid accidental exposure privacy should be provided for private conversations, intimate care and personal activities, such as going to the toilet. (RCN)

You are the nurse in charge and a patient comes to you to say, no one has taken me to the toilet today and my pad is wet. What would you do? Take the patient to the bathroom and tend to their skin care needs immediately. Reassure the patient this matter will be dealt with, ask if this happens regularly or if this is the first time. Relieve the patients anxieties. Offer a complaints form to the patient. Investigate why this happened and deal with it appropriately...eg; speak with the care assistants and the nurse in charge if seen necessary. Monitor this situation and ensure other staff are made aware of what happened and that it should never happen again.

The mealtime experience in the home is very important, everyone will help, Nurses & Care Staff. . What things do you think are important to help the residents have a positive experience? Ensure residents are allowed a choice of food and drink (aware of likes and dislikes) Those who wish to eat in their rooms alone are able to do so or likewise those who wish to be with others are brought to the dining room. Assistance is given where necessary and time is taken (patience) Clean, (clutter and obstacle) free environment to eat in. Nice environment, calm, nice music Food is warm, fresh and nutritious. There are no drugs given and no visitors or any distractions.

What do you understand by person centred care?