ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A hospital converts to a system of care delivery in which RNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are responsible for implementing a specific task, such as medication administration or personal hygiene, for the entire nursing unit. This type of delivery system is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: functional nursing. In functional nursing, tasks are divided among different levels of nursing staff based on their skills and qualifications. This system is task-oriented, with each staff member responsible for a specific function, such as medication administration or personal hygiene, for the entire unit. This allows for efficient and specialized care delivery. A: Total patient care involves one nurse providing all aspects of care to a group of patients. C: Team nursing involves a team of healthcare professionals working collaboratively to provide care to a group of patients. D: Primary nursing assigns one nurse to oversee the care of a group of patients from admission to discharge.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is responsible for determining the incidence rates of hospital-acquired diarrhea on a pediatric ward after receiving reports that five children admitted with uncontrolled asthma had developed diarrhea while hospitalized. The nurse is working in the role of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: infection control. In this scenario, the nurse is focusing on preventing and controlling the spread of hospital-acquired diarrhea among pediatric patients. By investigating the incidence rates and implementing measures to reduce the risk of infection transmission, the nurse is fulfilling the role of infection control. Quality management (A) focuses on improving processes and outcomes, not specifically on infection prevention. Occupational health (C) involves ensuring workplace safety for employees, not patient infection control. Forensics (D) involves investigating and analyzing evidence related to crimes or legal matters, not infection control in a healthcare setting.
Question 3 of 9
The Health Care Reform Act provides insurance for all U.S. citizens and legal residents presenting far-reaching ethical considerations related to diverse individual patient health care beliefs for those delivering nursing care. Nurses must consider their civil rights under the rights of conscience and how new health care agendas such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) could affect their practice in situations that may conflict with their own belief system. Today's practicing nurse must:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct: 1. Professional duty: Nurses have a duty to provide patient-centered care regardless of personal beliefs. 2. Legal liability: Withholding treatment based on personal beliefs can lead to legal consequences. 3. Ethical considerations: Nurses must prioritize patient care over personal beliefs. 4. Rights of conscience: Nurses may have the right to refuse to participate in certain treatments, but they must still ensure patient care. 5. Patient-centered care: Nurses must respect patient autonomy and provide care based on the patient's wishes. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B. Irrelevant to the nurse's duty to provide patient-centered care. C. Nurses should not impose their beliefs on patients but should respect and support their choices. D. Suggesting the hospital not accept federal funding does not address the nurse's duty to provide patient-centered care.
Question 4 of 9
Which action represents the key management function of strategic planning?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because developing a 5-year plan that incorporates the clinical nurse leader aligns with strategic planning, which involves setting long-term goals and outlining strategies to achieve them. This action demonstrates forward-thinking and aligns with the organization's overall vision. A: Ensuring nurses understand organizational philosophy is important but does not specifically relate to strategic planning. B: Evaluating communication processes is more operational or tactical in nature, not directly tied to long-term strategic planning. C: Monitoring data from a quality management initiative is important for quality improvement but does not directly relate to future planning and strategy development.
Question 5 of 9
A hospital refused to purchase a better grade of utility gloves, even after learning that the cheaper utility gloves are easily punctured during routine use. This unsafe situation led nurses to seek unionization. During the pre-election phase for unionization, which actions by union representatives are prohibited by the National Labor Relations Board? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because distributing nondocumented information about gender-based performance evaluations violates the National Labor Relations Act, which prohibits making false statements about an employer. This action could potentially mislead employees and interfere with the election process. Choices A, C, and D are not prohibited actions by the National Labor Relations Board. Choice A involves a legal and common method of gauging interest in unionization. Choice C involves providing information about union benefits and grievances, which is a protected activity. Choice D is permissible as long as it does not contain false or coercive statements.
Question 6 of 9
When paper-and-pencil medical records are compared with computer-based records:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: A is correct as paper-and-pencil records can physically track who accessed them, ensuring privacy and security. B is incorrect as computer-based records can also be detailed. C is irrelevant to the comparison. D is incorrect as signing for each item is not a standard practice in computer-based records.
Question 7 of 9
A concern that nurses were being asked to perform tasks that went beyond the state's nurse practice act was brought to the union's attention. Nurses were informed that either mediation or binding arbitration will be used to resolve the issue. A novice nurse asks about the difference between these techniques and is informed that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because binding arbitration involves a formal discussion where the arbitrator's recommendations are compulsory, meaning both parties must abide by the decision. This ensures a resolution to the issue at hand. A is incorrect because mediation is not necessarily sanctioned by the NLRB for formal discussions. C is incorrect because mediation does not typically result in a legally binding plan; it is a negotiation process to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. D is incorrect because binding arbitration does not specifically focus on the least destructive approach or self-governance by employees; it is about reaching a binding decision by a neutral third party arbitrator.
Question 8 of 9
Which nurse died after deliberately acquiring two bites from yellow fever carrier mosquitoes to enable her to provide care to soldiers with yellow fever during the Spanish-American War?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clara Maas. Clara Maas died after deliberately acquiring two bites from yellow fever carrier mosquitoes to provide care during the Spanish-American War. This is correct because Clara Maas was a real historical figure known for her selfless dedication to nursing and her sacrifice to help others. Florence Nightingale (A) is renowned for her work in nursing during the Crimean War, but she did not die from acquiring yellow fever. Margaret Hoolihan (B) and Sairy Gamp (D) are fictional characters and not relevant to the historical context of the Spanish-American War.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by using the vastus lateralis site and is unfamiliar with the process. A step-by-step reference that shows how to complete the process is called a:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: deployment flowchart. A deployment flowchart is a visual representation that outlines the steps involved in a specific process, making it ideal for the nurse to follow when administering medication at the vastus lateralis site. It provides a detailed, step-by-step guide, ensuring the process is carried out accurately and safely. Explanation of other choices: B: Top-down flowchart - This type of flowchart shows the hierarchy or sequence of steps in a process but may not provide the specific details needed for the nurse's task. C: Pareto chart - A Pareto chart is used to prioritize and identify the most significant factors in a process, not suitable for providing step-by-step instructions. D: Control plot - This term is not related to providing detailed instructions for a process, making it an incorrect choice.