ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A client and her husband used in vitro fertilization to become pregnant. The unused sperm was frozen so the couple could have more children later. The husband is killed while in combat, and the client journals her choices and the possible ramifications. She comes to the fertility clinic after looking at the situation from many perspectives and after considering many alternatives. She asks that the sperm be destroyed because her husband's faith prohibited remarrying, and allowing another person to use the sperm would conflict with her late husband's beliefs. The nurse realizes that:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the client's decision to destroy the husband's sperm was based on reflection and the value systems of both the wife and the husband. Firstly, the client considered her late husband's faith and beliefs, showing reflection on his values. Secondly, she analyzed the situation from various perspectives and considered alternatives, indicating a rational decision-making process. This decision was reached after careful consideration of ethical and moral implications, demonstrating a logical and reasoned approach. In contrast, choices A and C imply shortcomings in the client's decision-making process, while choice B focuses solely on validation without considering the underlying reasoning. Therefore, choice D is the most appropriate as it aligns with the client's thoughtful and value-based decision-making process.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is charged with battery after helping an invalid patient back to bed and not calling for help due to a reduced staffing level. The patient sustained excessive bruising, sore joints, and extended stay. In this case, the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the nurse is accountable due to the decreased level of staffing. The nurse's decision not to call for help despite knowing the reduced staffing level directly contributed to the patient's injuries. The nurse had a duty of care to ensure the patient's safety, and failing to do so resulted in harm to the patient. The nurse's actions were negligent and breached the standard of care expected in this situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the focus of the question is on the nurse's accountability for the patient's injuries due to staffing levels, not on the patient being the plaintiff, forcefully restraining the patient without orders, or invasion of privacy. These options are not directly related to the nurse's negligence in failing to provide proper care to the patient.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse hopes to improve time management skills using the ABC prioritization approach. Which tasks would be prioritized as "B"? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because reviewing the dress code policy to give feedback before an appointment in the morning is time-sensitive and directly impacts the nurse's professional responsibilities. This task falls under the "B" category in the ABC prioritization approach, which prioritizes tasks that are important but not urgent. This task requires attention before the morning appointment to ensure professionalism and compliance. Tasks A, C, and D are not prioritized as "B" because they are either more urgent or less important compared to reviewing the dress code policy before the morning appointment. Task A is important but not urgent as the time sheet is not due immediately. Task C is categorized as "A" as it involves a critical patient situation that requires immediate attention. Task D is categorized as "C" as it is important and time-sensitive, needing completion before discharge in 2 hours.
Question 4 of 9
"A patient with end-stage renal disease has a potassium level of 5 mEq/L. Based on this laboratory result, the nurse interprets which symptom as significant prompting which action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C: Irregular heartbeat is a significant symptom of hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should evaluate capillary refill to assess perfusion. High potassium levels can affect cardiac function, leading to arrhythmias. Monitoring capillary refill provides insight into tissue perfusion, helping to assess the severity of the condition and guide appropriate interventions. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Drowsiness is not a typical symptom of hyperkalemia. Stimulating the patient every 30 minutes does not address the underlying issue. B: Confusion is not a common symptom of hyperkalemia. Asking the patient to state their name and birthdate does not address the cardiac implications of high potassium levels. D: Muscle cramps may occur with hyperkalemia but are not as critical as irregular heartbeat. Elevating the affected limb is not the priority in this situation.
Question 5 of 9
Organizations measure the effectiveness of their budgets by examining actual revenues and expenditures versus:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: planned variances. Organizations compare actual revenues and expenditures to planned variances to measure budget effectiveness. Planned variances show the differences between the budgeted amounts and the actual results, highlighting areas of over or underperformance. This analysis helps organizations identify reasons for deviations and adjust future budgets accordingly. Explanation for other choices: B: Incremental budgets focus on adjusting previous budgets by a fixed amount, not on comparing actual versus planned amounts. C: Productivity metrics measure the efficiency of resources used, not specifically related to budget effectiveness. D: Expected performance is a vague term that does not directly address comparing actual versus planned financial data.
Question 6 of 9
An older adult woman who stops using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) becomes disoriented and is given a diagnosis of dementiThe family is upset with the family physician and the CAM practitioner for not diagnosing the condition earlier. Which CAM may have interfered with early detection of the dementia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because large doses of calcium causing cerebral plaques to form can potentially mask the atrophy of the brain, which is a common indicator of dementia on imaging studies. This interference could delay the detection of dementia. Choice B is incorrect because excess folic acid would not mask a vitamin B deficiency that could lead to dementia. Choice C is incorrect as hypnotherapy focusing on current thoughts would not necessarily eliminate clues to past cognitive decline. Choice D is incorrect because there is no evidence that the electrical current from magnetic fields interferes with normal brain waves in a way that would cause confusion and inability to concentrate.
Question 7 of 9
The appropriate procedure for addressing a cover letter when the applicant is unsure of the name and title of the person to whom the letter should be addressed is to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: address the letter to "To Whom It May Concern." This is the appropriate procedure when the applicant is unsure of the recipient's name and title. It is a professional and formal way to address a cover letter when the specific recipient is unknown. Option B is incorrect as addressing the letter to a generic title like "Nurse Recruiter" may not be appropriate if the recipient does not hold that specific title. Option C may be time-consuming and unnecessary if the applicant can use a more general salutation. Option D is incorrect because leaving the salutation blank can come across as unprofessional and lazy.
Question 8 of 9
In attempting to decide which services should be offered to a community, the public health nurse decides to implement hypertension screening and treatment because most of the residents are hypertensive. This decision is based on the principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the ethical principle that actions should be chosen based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, implementing hypertension screening and treatment for a community where most residents are hypertensive aligns with utilitarianism as it aims to benefit the greatest number of people by improving their health outcomes. This decision focuses on the overall good of the community, making it the most ethical choice. Rationale for why other choices are incorrect: A: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. While honesty is important in healthcare decision-making, it is not the primary factor in this scenario. B: Values refer to personal beliefs and principles. While values may influence decision-making, the primary focus in this scenario is on maximizing community health outcomes. D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions. While autonomy is important in healthcare, it is not the guiding principle in this scenario where the focus is
Question 9 of 9
A patient is admitted with pneumoniThe case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: clinical pathway. A clinical pathway is a detailed plan of care that outlines specific interventions and treatments based on assessment findings to guide patient care in a structured manner. In this case, the plan includes specific dates for discontinuing supplemental oxygen, changing ventilation methods, and transitioning antibiotics. A. Patient classification system: This refers to categorizing patients based on certain criteria for resource allocation and staffing levels, not specific care plans. C. Patient-centered plan of care: While patient-centered care focuses on individual preferences and needs, it does not necessarily include the structured timeline and interventions outlined in a clinical pathway. D. Diagnosis-related group (DRG): DRGs are used for billing and payment purposes based on specific diagnoses, not for detailed care plans like the one described in the question.