ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A care provider sacrifices an animal and waves an herb-filled sack over a client who is complaining of painful joints and chest pain with exertion. This ritual represents health care during:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the prehistoric period. During this time, people relied heavily on spiritual beliefs and rituals for healing. Sacrificing animals and using herbs in rituals to treat ailments was common practice. In contrast, early civilization in Egypt (B) had more advanced medical practices, the Renaissance (C) saw a shift towards scientific medicine, and the Middle Ages (D) had a mix of spiritual and medical practices, but not as primitive as the prehistoric period.
Question 2 of 9
Medicare would be responsible for: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because Medicare covers hospital stays for individuals aged 65 and older, which would include a 70-year-old client. Choice B is incorrect because Medicare typically covers dialysis for individuals with end-stage renal disease, not nursing home costs. Choice C is incorrect because Medicare does not typically cover rehabilitation care for individuals under 65. Choice D is incorrect because AFDC is a separate program from Medicare that provides assistance for low-income families, and prescription costs for the young mother would likely be covered under a different program.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse on the unit is heard saying, "I am not going to document that I used four catheters to start that IV; it doesn't matter anyway." What action can help the staff nurse understand the financial budget goals of the unit?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct because asking the nurse to represent the unit on the budget planning committee will directly expose them to the financial budget goals. This involvement will provide insight into the importance of accurate documentation and resource utilization. It offers a practical understanding of how decisions impact the unit's financial health. Summary: A: Working in payroll does not directly connect the nurse to the unit's financial goals. B: Personal finance CEUs are not specific to the unit's budget goals. D: Monitoring supplies is important but does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the unit's financial budget goals.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is heard making this comment, "I believe human dignity is based on perceived self-worth while caring is based on perceived role in society that forms the basis of nursing practice." This nurse is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer choice D is correct: 1. The nurse's statement suggests a proposition concerning the constructs of nursing practice, linking human dignity and caring to nursing roles. 2. The nurse is not demonstrating a model of human dignity (A), as they are discussing the relationship between human dignity and nursing practice, not modeling it. 3. The nurse is not evaluating the relevance of Leininger's Theory (B), as the statement does not mention cultural care theory, which is central to Leininger's work. 4. The nurse is not applying Mishel's Theory of Disease Uncertainty (C), as the statement does not discuss uncertainty in illness situations, which is the focus of Mishel's theory. In summary, answer choice D is correct because the nurse is making a proposition regarding the constructs of nursing practice based on the relationship between human dignity and caring in nursing roles.
Question 5 of 9
A novice nurse is stressed due to always being behind with her assignments. She is overheard saying, "No one here worries about checking nasogastric tube placement before they give medications and hang feedings. Skipping that step would save me an extra 30 minutes to be used for charting. If they can do it, so can I." This nurse is experiencing which stage of reality shock?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, "native." In this scenario, the nurse is rationalizing skipping a crucial safety step by justifying it with the actions of others, indicating a lack of understanding regarding the importance of the procedure. The "native" stage of reality shock occurs when individuals start to adopt the norms and behaviors of their workplace without questioning or critically evaluating them. This nurse is displaying a mindset of conforming to unsafe practices to fit in with her colleagues, which aligns with the characteristics of the "native" stage. Incorrect choices: A: "loner" does not apply as the nurse is not isolating herself but rather seeking to emulate the actions of others. B: "rutter" does not fit as this stage involves feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the job, not justifying unsafe practices. C: "change agent" is not relevant as the nurse is not actively seeking to instigate change but rather conforming to existing practices.
Question 6 of 9
During a health history interview, the nurse listens to a patient relating the precipitating events that led to the onset of chest pain. She focuses her attention on the patient, makes eye contact, and acknowledges what the patient has to say. The nurse is exhibiting:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: active listening. Active listening involves fully focusing on the speaker, making eye contact, acknowledging what they are saying, and showing genuine interest in their words. In this scenario, the nurse is attentively listening to the patient's account of the events leading to chest pain, demonstrating active listening skills by being present in the moment and engaging with the patient's narrative. A: Assertive communication involves expressing one's thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully. This choice is incorrect because the nurse is not actively expressing her thoughts or feelings in this situation. C: Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another. While empathy is important in nursing care, the nurse in this scenario is primarily engaged in listening rather than specifically expressing empathy. D: Passive communication is characterized by a lack of assertiveness and active engagement in the conversation. This choice is incorrect because the nurse is actively listening and engaging with the patient's narrative.
Question 7 of 9
As a patient's condition moves toward their impending death, which nursing intervention demonstrates how the focus of palliative care change?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because as a patient approaches death, the focus of palliative care shifts towards providing comfort and symptom management to improve their quality of life. Identifying and addressing the patient's comfort needs becomes crucial in ensuring a peaceful and dignified end-of-life experience. A: While discussing spiritual needs can be important, the primary focus shifts towards physical comfort in the final stages of life. B: Educating the patient about physical changes is important, but it may not be the priority as the focus shifts towards comfort care. C: Advance care planning is essential but may have already been addressed before the patient reaches the impending death stage.
Question 8 of 9
When differentiating between slander and libel, the nurse knows that libel:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because libel refers to written defamatory statements. In this scenario, subjective comments written in the nurse's notes can be considered libel as they are documented in writing. Choice B is incorrect because it describes negative comments made verbally, which would be considered slander, not libel. Choice C is incorrect as it involves verbal communication, which falls under slander, not libel. Choice D is incorrect as it describes repeating prejudiced comments verbally, which is also considered slander, not libel.
Question 9 of 9
An RN is counseled by the nurse manager regarding inappropriate delegation when the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because delegating the task of completing a plan of care to a float LPN/LVN for a stable patient is inappropriate. LPNs/LVNs have a different scope of practice compared to RNs and should not be assigned tasks related to developing care plans. This task requires critical thinking skills and assessment that are within the RN's scope of practice. A: A is incorrect because delegating the task of greeting and showing ambulatory surgery patients to their rooms is appropriate for a nursing assistant. B: B is incorrect because delegating the task of collecting a sputum specimen, once trained, is appropriate for a nursing assistant under the supervision of an RN. D: D is incorrect because delegating the task of performing a dressing change to a competent LPN/LVN is appropriate, as long as it falls within their scope of practice.