A group of nurses meet with a state representative to explain the importance of allowing registered nurses the right to sign death certificates for patients who were under their care. As constituents and nurses, they requested that the senator vote against the bill restricting this practice. These nurses are serving as:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: lobbyists. The nurses are acting as lobbyists by advocating for a specific cause (allowing RNs to sign death certificates) to the state representative. They are not policymakers (B) because they are not directly making decisions or creating policies. They are also not officials with regulatory power (C) as they are not in a position to enforce regulations. Lastly, they are not advocating for the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (D) specifically in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The novice nurse is demonstrating priority setting by asking about the consequences of not completing a task. This skill involves determining the most crucial tasks to be completed first based on their potential impact on patient outcomes. By understanding the implications of task completion, the nurse can effectively prioritize their workload. Delegation involves assigning tasks to others, organization involves arranging tasks in a systematic way, and clinical skills refer to the technical abilities in providing patient care. These skills are not directly demonstrated by the nurse's question about the consequences of task completion.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: join the Student Nurses Association. This option allows the student nurse to meet other nursing students from different countries and learn about employment possibilities. By joining the association, the student can network with peers, attend conferences, and engage in international exchange programs. Option A is incorrect because the employee satisfaction task force is focused on internal staff issues, not networking with other nursing students. Option C is irrelevant to the student nurse's goal of meeting peers from different countries. Option D is impractical and unnecessary as it suggests delaying the licensure examination for travel, which is not a direct way to achieve the student's objectives.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates a proactive and thoughtful approach to decision-making. By stopping to consider the request and assessing its safety implications before accepting it based on patient acuity levels, the novice nurse is prioritizing patient safety and her own capabilities. This strategy helps her cope with the transition into practice by promoting critical thinking and confidence in her decision-making skills. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Refusing to eat anywhere but the hospital cafeteria may lead to social isolation and restrict the novice nurse's ability to engage with others outside of work. C: Ignoring coworkers' problems or staffing ideas can create a negative work environment and hinder teamwork, potentially increasing stress levels for the novice nurse. D: Focusing on winning over hostile coworkers may detract from the novice nurse's professional growth and cause unnecessary stress from seeking validation from others.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: scheduling daily activities. This is because positive time management skills involve planning and organizing tasks to effectively utilize time. By scheduling daily activities, individuals can prioritize tasks, set goals, and allocate time efficiently. This helps in achieving productivity and reducing stress. Choice A (maintaining an open-door policy) is incorrect as it pertains to communication style, not time management. Choice B (retaining all paperwork) is not directly related to time management but rather to organization. Choice C (returning all telephone calls immediately) is also not a direct indicator of effective time management as it focuses on communication responsiveness rather than overall time utilization.