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
Nurses entering the workforce at a large urban hospital soon began volunteering for excessive overtime. A focus group found that upon graduation, many of these nurses purchased expensive cars and furniture. They lacked skills in managing their checkbook and were often unable to pay recurring bills; this finding would be relevant to which component of the Workforce Advocacy Ecosystem Model?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Personal and social factors. This finding is relevant to personal and social factors because it highlights the individual behaviors and financial decisions of the nurses entering the workforce. The nurses' lack of financial management skills and tendency to overspend on luxury items indicate personal factors influencing their ability to handle their finances effectively. Additionally, their social environment, such as peer influences or societal pressure to display wealth, could also contribute to their financial struggles. Incorrect choices: A: Staffing - This choice focuses on the recruitment and deployment of staff, which is not directly related to the nurses' personal financial management issues. B: Workflow design - This choice pertains to how tasks are organized and coordinated within the workplace, which is not directly related to the nurses' personal financial challenges. C: Organizational factors - This choice refers to the broader context of the hospital's policies, culture, and structures, which may indirectly influence the nurses' financial behaviors but are not as directly related as personal and social factors
Question 3 of 9
Although a hospital reversed all charges when a client was the victim of wrong site surgery, the court awarded the client $5 million. The client was able to return to work in 6 weeks and had no permanent damages. This monetary compensation is termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. In this case, the hospital's negligence in performing wrong site surgery resulted in harm to the client, even though the hospital reversed the charges. The court awarded $5 million to punish the hospital for their negligence, as the client suffered emotional distress and the potential risk of harm. The other choices are incorrect because: A: res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine used to shift the burden of proof from the plaintiff to the defendant in cases where the negligence is obvious. C: vicarious liability holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees, which is not directly applicable in this scenario. D: immunity refers to protection from legal liability, which is not relevant in a case where the court awarded monetary compensation.
Question 4 of 9
An older adult is unable to reach the telephone and is found dead at home several hours later. The son of the deceased person arrives at the hospital and asks, "Can I just please stay and hold my dad's hand? He was so afraid of dying alone." Which response by the nurse shows empathy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the son's request and providing support. By closing the door to allow privacy and promising to check back, the nurse shows understanding and compassion for the son's emotional needs. Choice A is incorrect as it is insensitive and blames the son. Choice B is inappropriate as it shifts the focus to purchasing a cell phone rather than addressing the son's emotional state. Choice D is also incorrect as it redirects the attention to the nurse's personal experience, failing to address the son's specific request.
Question 5 of 9
A large corporation employs nurses all over the United States. Nurses in one agency learned that fellow nurses in another agency are striking because they are required to work 16-hour shifts to cover for nurses who have left due to unsafe staffing practices. The union of the nonstriking agency nurses decides to stop work to support the nurses who are striking; thus, this union:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the union of the nonstriking agency nurses is engaging in a sympathy strike to support their fellow nurses who are striking due to unsafe working conditions. A sympathy strike is legal as long as it is conducted correctly. In this case, the nonstriking agency nurses are showing solidarity with their colleagues to address the issue of unsafe staffing practices. Choice A is incorrect because the union's decision to support the striking nurses does not automatically expose them to a lawsuit. Choice B is incorrect as the union represents only one group of nurses, not both parties. Choice D is incorrect because there is no legal requirement for the union to pay for any losses incurred by the agency during the strike. Overall, the correct answer is C because it accurately reflects the union's action of participating in a sympathy strike to show support for the striking nurses.
Question 6 of 9
The role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) would include:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the role of a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) involves coordinating and managing the care of patients. In this scenario, the CNL is revising the care plan for a patient with complex health issues, such as heart failure and chronic bronchitis, by incorporating specific interventions like ambulation with assistance. This aligns with the core responsibilities of a CNL, which include care coordination, implementation of evidence-based practice, and leadership in interdisciplinary teams. Choice A is incorrect because nurses, including CNLs, do not have the authority to diagnose and prescribe medications, as this falls under the scope of practice of a physician or advanced practice nurse. Choice B is incorrect because while health education and referral are important aspects of nursing practice, they are more aligned with the role of a community health nurse rather than a CNL. Choice C is incorrect because investigating abuse and criminal activities is beyond the scope of a CNL's role, as their focus is primarily on
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client with malignant hypertension whose blood pressure has increased by 40 mm Hg during the past hour. The nurse goes to lunch and fails to report the change to the physician. The nurse is at risk for being charged with:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A - Negligence Rationale: 1. Negligence is the failure to provide the standard of care resulting in harm to the patient. 2. The nurse failed to report a significant change in the patient's condition, breaching the duty of care. 3. The increase in blood pressure could lead to serious complications, indicating the severity of negligence. Summary: B: Assault - Involves intentional threat or harm, not applicable in this scenario. C: Defamation of character - Involves false statements damaging reputation, not relevant in the context of patient care. D: Tort - A broader legal term encompassing various civil wrongs, but negligence is a specific type of tort applicable here.
Question 8 of 9
A patient experiences migraine headaches that are not relieved by traditional Western medical practices. The family physician suggests acupuncture, which: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because acupuncture is indeed based on the belief that meridians, energy pathways in the body, are vital for life and when they are out of balance, pain occurs. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of these meridians to alleviate pain. Explanation: 1. Acupuncture theory is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which emphasizes the flow of energy (Qi) along meridians. 2. By inserting needles at specific points along the meridians, acupuncturists aim to restore the balance of Qi and alleviate pain. 3. Meridian theory is fundamental to the practice of acupuncture and differentiates it from other pain relief modalities. 4. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately represent the core principles of acupuncture and how it works. Summary: Option A is correct because it aligns with the foundational principles of acupuncture, focusing on meridians and energy balance. Options B, C, and D are
Question 9 of 9
A young child is having abdominal pain, and the doctor informs the parents that a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the abdomen will be ordered. The doctor tells the child, "This CAT scan won't hurt you." The child is visibly upset because of a fear of cats. According to Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory, which stage of the framework is represented?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: The child is upset due to a fear of cats, leading to uncertainty about the situation. Step 2: Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory focuses on how individuals respond to uncertainty in health-related situations. Step 3: In this case, the child's fear of cats creates a misinterpretation of the term "CAT scan." Step 4: This misinterpretation falls under the Stimuli frame stage, where the individual perceives the situation based on external cues. Step 5: Other choices are incorrect as they do not directly address the initial misinterpretation caused by the fear of cats. In summary, choice A is correct because it aligns with Mishel's theory by highlighting the initial stimuli (fear of cats) causing uncertainty in the child's understanding of the situation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the specific misinterpretation of the term "CAT scan" due to the fear of cats.