ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
A group of new graduate nurses is asked to speak to a group of politicians to describe the current state of professional nursing and how best to alleviate the nursing shortage. Which statements accurately portray professional nursing today and tomorrow? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the current trend in nursing education shows an increasing number of registered nurses (RNs) attaining a bachelor's degree compared to an associate degree or diploma. This shift is supported by research indicating that BSN-prepared nurses have better patient outcomes. Choice B is incorrect because while there is indeed a trend towards more outpatient and home health care, it does not necessarily mean that more RNs practice in these settings than in acute care. Choice C is incorrect as nurse practitioner is the most popular advanced practice specialty, not nurse anesthesia. Choice D is incorrect as it makes a broad and unsubstantiated statement based on ethnicity, which does not accurately represent the trends in nursing education and graduate studies.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse executive is concerned that the mortality rate in his or her hospital exceeds the national average and searches the literature finding Aiken's 2011 Survey on the effects of nurse staffing and education on mortality, including work environment. If Aiken's recommendations are followed, which change would be most effective?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increasing staffing ratios to include more nurses of all levels of educational preparation on all shifts. Aiken's survey emphasized the importance of adequate nurse staffing in improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates. By increasing staffing ratios with nurses of all educational levels, the hospital can ensure better patient care, effective coordination, and timely interventions. This approach addresses the key factors highlighted in Aiken's survey - nurse staffing and education. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the issue of nurse staffing, which was the primary focus of Aiken's survey. Employing bachelor's prepared nurses participating in interprofessional rounds (B) may improve communication but does not solely address the staffing concerns. Ensuring nurse managers have a master's degree (C) may improve leadership but does not directly impact frontline staffing. Encouraging unlicensed assistive personnel to attend educational programs (D) may enhance skills but does not address the need for more nurses in the staffing ratios
Question 3 of 9
Political action committees (PACs) are established for the purpose of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: financially supporting candidates. PACs are established to raise and spend money to support candidates for political office. They can donate funds to candidates' campaigns, run independent expenditure campaigns, and engage in other activities to influence elections. This is the primary purpose of PACs. Other choices are incorrect: B: While PACs may aim to persuade policymakers to support certain policies, their main function is to support candidates financially. C: While lobbying legislators is a common activity PACs engage in, their main purpose is to financially support candidates. D: Recommending health care policy is not the primary purpose of PACs, as their main role is to support political candidates.
Question 4 of 9
An older adult client is comatose and had one electroencephalogram that indicated no activity. The daughter is very distraught and notices her mother's hand moves when she is talking to her. The daughter asks the nurse, "Is mother responding to my voice?" The nurse, attempting to console the daughter, knows the movement was involuntary but states, "It does appear she did." The nurse is violating which principle of ethics?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Veracity. Veracity refers to the principle of truthfulness and honesty in communication. In this scenario, the nurse knowingly provides false information to the daughter by stating that the mother is responding to her voice when the movement was actually involuntary. By not being truthful, the nurse violates the principle of veracity. Autonomy (A) is the right of individuals to make their own decisions. Utilitarianism (C) focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Deontology (D) is an ethical theory based on rules and duties. These principles are not directly related to the nurse's dishonesty in this situation.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is interested in learning more about health policy and how it might impact nursing practice. She is especially interested in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and how it will travel through the three branches of the federal government. She researches the roles of the legislative branch of the federal government and learns that this branch: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the legislative branch determines which laws are constitutional by passing or rejecting proposed legislation. In the case of the PPACA, the legislative branch, specifically the Congress, passed the law. The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the constitutionality of laws (not determine which laws are constitutional), as seen in the case where the PPACA was upheld as a form of taxation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B is incorrect because while the legislative branch appropriates funds, the actual allocation of federal dollars is determined through the budget process, not solely by the legislative branch. C is incorrect because the executive branch, not the legislative branch, consists of the President and executive departments that implement laws like the PPACA. D is incorrect because the legislative branch can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote, not vice versa. The President does not have the power to veto laws found constitutional by the Supreme Court.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client who just suffered a stroke and is medicated for pain. The nurse completes the following interventions: places the client on the examining table, completes a thorough history and physical, covers the client with a sheet, places the call button within reach, and goes out in the hall to speak with the client's physician. The client tries to get up to speak with his family and falls, sustaining a hematoma on the head and a broken hip. The nurse's actions reflect:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: negligence. Negligence refers to a failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have provided in a similar situation, resulting in harm to the client. In this scenario, the nurse failed to ensure the safety of the client by leaving them unattended on an examining table, leading to the client falling and sustaining injuries. This breach of duty to provide proper care and supervision constitutes negligence. Choice A (invasion of privacy) is incorrect because it does not relate to the nurse's failure to provide proper care and supervision. Choice B (libel) and Choice C (slander) are also incorrect as they pertain to defamation, which is not applicable in this situation. The nurse's actions primarily reflect negligence due to the failure to provide adequate supervision, resulting in harm to the client.
Question 7 of 9
The forensic nurse would most likely be involved in:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because forensic nurses specialize in caring for victims of violence and abuse, including sexual assault. They are trained to perform detailed assessments of rape victims, collect forensic evidence like DNA samples, and provide compassionate care. This role is crucial in helping the victim receive appropriate medical treatment and support, as well as ensuring the evidence is properly collected for legal proceedings. Choice B is incorrect because it involves triaging patients in an emergency department based on their presenting symptoms, which is typically done by emergency department staff, not forensic nurses. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a scenario more suited to a cardiac nurse or a telehealth nurse, not a forensic nurse. Choice D is incorrect because it involves providing pediatric life support at the scene of an accident, which is the role of emergency medical services personnel or emergency department staff, not forensic nurses.
Question 8 of 9
A group of local volunteers respond to a tornado. Volunteers have completed an emergency response course and are able to assist with triage of injured citizens. They also participate in local health fairs to teach residents how to react during tornadoes. The responders are members of the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Step 1: The MRC is a community-based program of volunteers who are trained to respond to public health emergencies. Step 2: The volunteers in the scenario have completed an emergency response course and are assisting with triage and educating the public, aligning with the MRC's mission. Step 3: The MMRS focuses on responding to mass casualty incidents, not necessarily public health emergencies like tornadoes. NDMS is a federally coordinated system for medical response in disasters, not typically focused on community-based responses. CCRF is a reserve force within the U.S. Public Health Service, not specifically focused on community emergency response.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse groups patients with criteria such as "high risk for falls," "infection protocols," and "special communication needs" to determine the mix and number of staff needed on a telemetry unit. The nurse is using:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: A nurse grouping patients with specific criteria to determine staffing needs aligns with a patient classification system. This system helps allocate appropriate staff levels based on patient acuity and needs for safe and effective care. It focuses on matching patient needs with staff expertise to ensure quality care. Choices B, C, and D do not directly relate to determining staffing levels based on patient criteria. B refers to billing, C to coordination of care, and D to specific care plans.