ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A new graduate desires a position in labor and delivery; however, no position is available. What is the best advice for this nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it offers a practical solution. By accepting another nursing position and transferring to labor and delivery when a position is available, the nurse can gain experience, maintain employment, and potentially build a relationship with the organization. This approach shows flexibility and commitment. A: Continuing to study is important, but it may not guarantee a position in labor and delivery. B: Returning to college is unnecessary and may delay entering the workforce. D: Practicing skills in a simulation lab is beneficial, but it does not address the immediate need for employment in the desired field.
Question 2 of 9
Students are assigned to write to their state leaders about an issue affecting their community. One student writes about the need among rural community for greater access to acute care services. Which of the following pieces of legislation should the student use as a reference?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hill-Burton Act. This legislation established a program to provide federal grants for the construction of hospitals and healthcare facilities in underserved areas. It specifically addressed the need to improve access to healthcare services, aligning with the student's concern about acute care services in rural communities. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Social Security Act primarily focuses on social insurance programs; C: Sheppard-Towner Act focused on maternal and child healthcare; D: U.S. Civil Service Act pertains to regulations for federal employees, none of which directly address the issue of access to acute care services in rural communities.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is brought in who testifies that a professional with the knowledge and skill of an RN should understand that, before administering this drug, potassium level and pulse level is always checked to prevent such an occurrence. The nurse's testimony as to what constitutes reasonable care is based on:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the legal definition of standard of care. In healthcare, the standard of care refers to the level of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances. Checking potassium level and pulse before administering a drug is considered standard practice to prevent adverse reactions. The nurse's testimony is based on this standard of care requirement to ensure patient safety and avoid potential harm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the concept of standard of care in healthcare practice. B pertains to patient consent, C to the doctrine of "the thing speaks for itself," and D to immunity from liability for certain actions.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is offered several health care plans as part of employee benefits. Which plan is based on a monthly fee per participant and offers a range of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Capitation. Capitation is a payment model where healthcare providers receive a fixed amount per patient per month to provide all necessary healthcare services. This aligns with the description of the plan in the question, offering services based on a monthly fee per participant. Capitation also emphasizes preventive care, diagnostic services, and treatment, making it the most suitable choice. A: Prospective payment system is a method where healthcare providers are paid a fixed amount per service in advance. This does not match the description of the plan in the question. B: Retrospective payment system involves reimbursing healthcare providers after services are delivered based on the actual costs incurred. This is not based on a monthly fee per participant. C: Single-payer system refers to a healthcare system where a single public or quasi-public agency organizes healthcare financing. This is not based on a monthly fee per participant.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse walks up to a computer in the hallway and presses the index finger to the sensor, thereby gaining access to patient datA few moments later another nurse performs the same steps and is granted access. A visitor who is watching from a room walks over and places the index finger on the sensor, only to receive an "error and access denied" message. Security is being maintained by:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: biometric technology. Biometric technology uses unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, to verify identity. In this scenario, the nurse and the other authorized person were granted access because their fingerprints matched the stored data. The visitor was denied access because their fingerprint did not match. A: Robot technology is not related to verifying identity through fingerprints. C: Telehealth is a method of providing healthcare remotely and is not related to access control. D: Ubiquitous computing refers to the idea of computing technology being everywhere, but it is not directly related to biometric security measures like fingerprint scanning.
Question 6 of 9
Time is becoming crucial for the nurse to address issues related to sponsoring programs to include hearing aid costs as part of Medicare coverage. The nurse involved in grassroots political actions realizes that the least timely method of reaching elected officials would be via:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: letter. Writing a physical letter and sending it through traditional mail is the least timely method of reaching elected officials. It takes longer for letters to be delivered and processed compared to other electronic forms of communication like telephone, email, and fax. Elected officials may not receive and respond to letters in a timely manner, especially when time is crucial. Telephone, email, and fax offer quicker and more direct communication, allowing for faster responses and action. Therefore, choosing to reach out to elected officials via a letter would be the least timely method in this scenario.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse providing care at the bedside receives an "alert" that a patient's stat potassium level is 5 and digoxin (Lanoxin) is scheduled. The nurse holds the medication and prevents a possible complication. This feature of the Electronic Health Record is available through which core function of EHR?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decision support. In this scenario, the nurse received an alert regarding a potential drug interaction between the patient's potassium level and the scheduled digoxin. Decision support in EHR provides real-time clinical guidance to healthcare providers, helping them make informed decisions to improve patient safety. Holding the medication in response to the alert demonstrates the effective use of decision support to prevent adverse drug events. Choices A, C, and D do not directly relate to the situation described and do not involve the clinical decision-making support provided by EHRs.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse takes a day to travel to a state park where she can sit by the river alone to reflect over recent events and put things into perspective. She recalls the time she was complimented for her ability to deal with a difficult patient and another time when she was criticized for lack of teamwork. This nurse is improving which source of energy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse is reflecting on her personal growth and finding meaning in her experiences, indicating a focus on values, purpose, and inner strength, which align with the spiritual source of energy. This choice is correct as it involves connecting with higher values and beliefs to find motivation and resilience. Emotional energy (choice A) focuses on feelings and expression, physical energy (choice C) relates to the body's vitality, and mental energy (choice D) pertains to cognitive abilities and focus. In this scenario, the nurse's focus is on introspection and personal growth rather than emotional, physical, or mental aspects, making choice B the most appropriate.
Question 9 of 9
In the near future, the largest segment of the population will be those over age 65 years. To advocate for this vulnerable population, a nurse was a strong supporter for the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D), which:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D) provided coverage for medications that constituted a huge expense for the elderly. This is crucial for the aging population as they often require multiple medications for chronic conditions. Choice A is incorrect because vision care benefits for legally blind individuals are usually covered under Medicare Part B. Choice B is incorrect as the act specifically focused on medication coverage, not mental health/substance abuse services. Choice D is incorrect as the act did not directly address expanding practice opportunities for APRNs, but rather focused on medication coverage for the elderly population.