ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A new graduate nurse is applying for the exciting first position and states, "I am only applying to Magnet hospitals because those work environments:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because Magnet hospitals are recognized for their ability to not only attract but also retain professional nurses. These hospitals create a positive work environment that values and supports nursing staff, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Choice A is incorrect because while Magnet hospitals may attract top healthcare providers, it's not solely focused on physicians. Choice B is incorrect as certification is not a mandatory requirement for all RNs in Magnet hospitals. Choice D is incorrect as Magnet hospitals actually encourage nurses to advance their education and professional development.
Question 2 of 9
When reviewing the literature on the effects of Medicaid on health care for the poor, the nurse researcher found that the poor:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because lacking consistent providers is a common issue among the poor utilizing Medicaid. This impacts continuity of care, leading to fragmented health services and poor health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect as Medicaid does provide some level of access to healthcare. Choice B is incorrect as unnecessary treatments are not a common issue among the poor on Medicaid. Choice D is incorrect as preventive services are underutilized rather than abused by the poor on Medicaid.
Question 3 of 9
In differentiating between interprofessional and multidisciplinary:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because interprofessional involves members of different disciplines collaborating to provide patient care, promoting a holistic approach. This fosters shared decision-making and communication among healthcare professionals, leading to improved patient outcomes. A is incorrect because multidisciplinary involves multiple disciplines treating a single patient, not many diverse patients. C is incorrect because interprofessional involves different disciplines, not members of the same discipline working together. D is incorrect because interprofessional is about collaboration between different disciplines, not the use of multiple interventions by nurses specifically.
Question 4 of 9
A registered nurse is on break and checking e-mails. One e-mail contains a picture of a celebrity who is a patient in the hospital, and on the same floor, where the nurse works. Included with the photo is a message, "check out my Facebook," which contains additional photographs of the patient. The nurse immediately deletes the picture to prevent having to report the "friend" to supervisors. Based on the action of the nurse who received the message, which statement is correct?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nurse is at risk for discipline because failing to report the receipt of the message demonstrates poor ethical and legal role-modeling. By deleting the photo and not reporting the incident, the nurse is not upholding patient confidentiality and is potentially violating privacy laws. Sharing patient information, even if the patient is on the same floor, is unethical and illegal. Choices A and B are incorrect because simply deleting the photos does not absolve the nurse from potential consequences, and not being the sender does not excuse the nurse from being responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality. Choice D is incorrect because sharing patient information without authorization is a violation of ethical and legal standards.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
According to the Quality Chasm report:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Proactive care emphasizes prevention and early intervention. 2. The Quality Chasm report advocates for patient-centered care. 3. Being proactive ensures better health outcomes and lower costs. 4. Reactive care may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Summary: B: Focusing on common needs ignores individual preferences, contradicting patient-centered care. C: Limiting medical information to one provider is not patient-centered and hinders care coordination. D: Allowing specialized providers to control decisions may not consider the holistic needs of the patient.
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 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 9 of 9
The disaster medical assistance team works quickly to contain contaminants from a chemical plant explosion. Afterward, personnel undergo a special process to remove harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies. This removal process is known as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: decontamination. Decontamination is the process of removing harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies to prevent further exposure and contamination. In this scenario, the disaster medical assistance team is working to contain contaminants first and then proceed with decontamination to ensure the safety of personnel. Containment (choice A) refers to preventing the spread of contaminants, not removing them. Triage (choice C) is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries, not removing chemicals. Scene assessment (choice D) involves evaluating the situation to determine the extent of the disaster, not the removal of harmful chemicals.