ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 9
A nurse would like to obtain background information and learn the political platform of a candidate who is running for national office. The nurse should contact the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: American Nurses Association Nurses Strategic Action Team (N-STAT). Rationale: 1. N-STAT is a strategic action team within the American Nurses Association, which is a reputable organization representing nurses' interests. 2. N-STAT focuses on political advocacy and provides information on political platforms of candidates running for national office. 3. Contacting N-STAT would provide the nurse with accurate and relevant information about the candidate's political platform. Summary of other choices: A: National Registry for Candidates - Not a known entity, unlikely to provide specific political platform information. C: National League of Nurses - Focuses on nursing education and standards, not political platforms. D: National Council of State Boards of Nursing - Focuses on regulatory aspects of nursing practice, not political platforms.
Question 3 of 9
When deciding whether and when a task should be completed, a nurse must:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: ask, "What will happen if I don't complete the task now?" This is the best approach as it helps prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. By considering the consequences of not completing a task immediately, the nurse can focus on critical tasks first to ensure patient safety and efficient workflow. Choice A is incorrect because completing all tasks as they are thought of without prioritizing can lead to neglecting important tasks and compromising patient care. Choice B is incorrect as procrastination is not a professional or effective way to manage tasks in a healthcare setting. Choice D is incorrect as viewing large projects holistically is important, but it doesn't address the immediate need to prioritize individual tasks.
Question 4 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 5 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 6 of 9
A comparison of nursing in the 1980s to nursing in the 1990s reveals that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it accurately reflects the shift in focus from tuberculosis in the 1980s to the emergence of the AIDS epidemic in the 1990s in the field of nursing. Tuberculosis was a major concern in the 1980s, and the AIDS epidemic became a primary focus in the 1990s. Choice A is incorrect because it discusses preventable diseases caused by unsafe lifestyles, which is not directly related to the comparison of nursing between the two decades. Choice C is incorrect because it mentions a decrease in ambulatory services in the 1980s leading to an increase in public health nurses in the 1990s, which is not supported by the historical context of nursing during those decades. Choice D is incorrect because it suggests that the demand for advanced practice nurses increased in both the 1980s and the 1990s due to economic reasons and national health concerns, which is not specifically relevant to the comparison between nursing in the two decades.
Question 7 of 9
A new graduate secures the first interview and wants to work where cultural diversity is appreciated. The applicant feels that accepting this interview was the right choice when the recruiter states, "We do not discriminate based on sex, race, or age and practice inclusiveness of diversity." Which question would reflect this statement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it focuses on the benefits offered to employees, which aligns with the recruiter's statement about inclusiveness and non-discrimination. Asking about educational benefits and health insurance shows that the organization values its employees' well-being and development regardless of their background. Choice A is incorrect because it is discriminatory to ask about religious beliefs related to work schedules. Choice C is incorrect because it promotes a biased perspective on patient care and cultural beliefs. Choice D is incorrect as it implies a negative stereotype about patients from disadvantaged backgrounds, which goes against the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination stated by the recruiter.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse manager has calculated that providing 75 hours of direct nursing care per day requires that 120 hours must actually be worked by nursing staff. The manager is involved in: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: applying productivity metric. The nurse manager is calculating the ratio of direct nursing care hours to total hours worked, which is a productivity metric. This metric helps assess the efficiency of the nursing staff in delivering care. Developing the capital budget (A) involves planning for long-term investments, not daily staffing calculations. Monitoring the labor budget (C) involves tracking expenses related to staff salaries and benefits, but not necessarily productivity metrics. Incremental budgeting processes (D) refer to budgeting based on past budgets with incremental changes, not specific productivity metrics. Therefore, the nurse manager is primarily involved in applying a productivity metric to assess nursing staff efficiency.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is seeking to become culturally competent in regard to obtaining information during health history and when performing physical diagnosis. The nurse is aware that which biologic variation is found in all of the following ethnicities: blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and American Indians?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sickle cell anemia. This genetic disorder is found in individuals of African, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian descent. Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, leading to the production of abnormal hemoglobin. This condition is more prevalent in these ethnic groups due to historical reasons and natural selection against malaria. A: Mongolian spots are common in Asian infants but not in all the mentioned ethnicities. C: Lactose intolerance is more common in individuals of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent but not specifically in American Indians. D: Thalassemia is more prevalent in individuals of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, not in all the mentioned ethnicities.