ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A group of RNs wish to seek union representation that would protect all workers in the agency including nonlicensed assistive personnel and non-nursing employees such as nutritionists and dietary workers. The type of union being sought is the strongest collective group and is known as a(n):
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: industrial union. Industrial unions represent all workers in a particular industry regardless of their specific job roles, providing collective bargaining power for a broader group. In this scenario, the RNs seeking union representation aim to include nonlicensed personnel and non-nursing employees, making an industrial union the most appropriate choice. A: Occupational union focuses on specific occupational groups, not as inclusive as industrial unions. C: Union shop refers to a workplace where all employees must join the union after being hired, not related to the scope of representation. D: Right-to-work bargaining organization allows employees to choose whether or not to join the union, not the strongest type of union for collective representation.
Question 2 of 9
A patient is placed on reserpine (Serpalan) to decrease mild anxiety and treat hypertension. The patient researches the medication on the Internet and finds that this medication comes from which plant?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rauwolfia serpentina. Reserpine is derived from the Rauwolfia serpentina plant. This plant contains alkaloids that act as a central nervous system depressant, reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure. Atropa belladonna (A) contains toxic alkaloids, Digitalis purpurea (B) contains cardiac glycosides used for heart conditions, and Cephaelis ipecacuanha (D) contains emetine used for inducing vomiting, none of which are related to reserpine's effects.
Question 3 of 9
What is the initial step when addressing an ethically challenging situation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Review the overall situation to identify the core issues. This is the initial step when addressing an ethically challenging situation because it allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation before delving into specific details. By reviewing the overall situation, you can identify the key ethical issues at play and prioritize which aspects need to be addressed first. This step sets the foundation for developing an effective strategy to navigate the ethical dilemma. Incorrect answers: A: Identifying all those involved is important, but it should come after reviewing the situation. C: Gathering facts is necessary, but reviewing the overall situation should precede this step. D: Determining the ethical dilemma is crucial, but it is more effective to first review the entire situation to fully grasp the complexities before pinpointing the ethical issue.
Question 4 of 9
A state is devastated by a tornado killing many people, destroying communication systems, utility services, homes, and medical facilities. The state requests immediate assistance from the U.S. Congress and from surrounding states. The affected state should first contact the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). 1. EMAC is a mutual aid agreement among states for disaster response. 2. It allows affected states to request and receive assistance from other states. 3. It facilitates coordination and deployment of resources quickly in emergencies. 4. IOM focuses on health research, Red Cross on humanitarian aid, and Strategic National Stockpile on medical supplies, but they do not provide the immediate multi-sectoral assistance needed in this scenario.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is preparing to teach a class related to risk factors for cancer to a diverse ethnic group attending a health fair. The nurse should be aware:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it provides accurate information about a specific risk factor related to a particular ethnic group. American-Indian women do have a higher rate of ovarian cancer than the general population, making it crucial for the nurse to be aware of this when teaching about cancer risk factors. A is incorrect as it discusses breast cancer and not ovarian cancer. B is incorrect as it mentions esophageal cancer, which is not the specific focus of the question. D is also incorrect as it makes a general statement about cancer, heart disease, and stroke in ethnic groups without providing specific information about ovarian cancer in American-Indian women.
Question 6 of 9
An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the role of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN knows that:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. When delegating tasks to an LPN/LVN, the RN must review the state's nurse practice act because each state defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN. This is crucial as the LPN/LVN scope of practice can vary significantly from state to state. By reviewing the nurse practice act, the RN ensures that the tasks being delegated fall within the legal scope of practice for the LPN/LVN in that specific state, promoting safe and effective patient care. Choice A is incorrect because the role of the LPN/LVN can differ between states. Choice B is incorrect because LPN/LVNs cannot perform all duties of an RN, and additional training does not change their scope of practice. Choice D is incorrect because the Joint Commission does not establish roles for LPN/LVNs; it focuses on accreditation standards for healthcare organizations.
Question 7 of 9
A family requests that no additional heroic measures be instituted for their terminally ill mother who has advance directives in place. The nurse respects this decision in keeping with the principle of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: autonomy. Autonomy refers to respecting the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the family's request to honor the terminally ill mother's advance directives aligns with the principle of autonomy as it acknowledges her right to make decisions about her own care. Accountability (A) pertains to taking responsibility for one's actions, nonmaleficence (C) involves avoiding harm, and veracity (D) refers to truthfulness. While these principles are important in healthcare, in this specific case, autonomy takes precedence as it respects the patient's wishes.
Question 8 of 9
What are general explanations that scholars use to explain, predict, control, and understand commonly occurring events?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Theories. Theories are comprehensive explanations that scholars use to understand commonly occurring events by organizing and explaining a set of principles or laws. Theories help in predicting and controlling events based on established frameworks. Constructs (B) refer to abstract concepts within theories, systems (C) are organized structures of elements, and propositions (D) are statements that describe relationships between concepts, but they do not provide the comprehensive explanations that theories do.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who is to receive an antibiotic drug that causes severe skin damage when infiltrated. The order reads, "infuse over 1 hour by portacath." The nurse accesses the Personal Digital Assistant for software that lists the steps to access a portacath. The nurse is using:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: point-of-care technology. Point-of-care technology refers to tools and devices that assist healthcare providers in delivering care at the patient's bedside. In this scenario, the nurse is accessing a software application on a Personal Digital Assistant to follow steps for accessing a portacath, which is a form of point-of-care technology. This technology enables quick and accurate access to necessary information, ensuring safe and efficient care delivery. Incorrect choices: A: Electronic health records (EHR) primarily store patient information and medical history but do not provide real-time guidance on procedures like accessing a portacath. C: Data management involves organizing and analyzing healthcare data but does not directly assist in patient care tasks like accessing a portacath. D: Telehealth involves remote healthcare services, which are not relevant to the nurse's immediate task of accessing a portacath.