ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A novice nurse is stressed due to always being behind with her assignments. She is overheard saying, "No one here worries about checking nasogastric tube placement before they give medications and hang feedings. Skipping that step would save me an extra 30 minutes to be used for charting. If they can do it, so can I." This nurse is experiencing which stage of reality shock?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, "native." In this scenario, the nurse is rationalizing skipping a crucial safety step by justifying it with the actions of others, indicating a lack of understanding regarding the importance of the procedure. The "native" stage of reality shock occurs when individuals start to adopt the norms and behaviors of their workplace without questioning or critically evaluating them. This nurse is displaying a mindset of conforming to unsafe practices to fit in with her colleagues, which aligns with the characteristics of the "native" stage. Incorrect choices: A: "loner" does not apply as the nurse is not isolating herself but rather seeking to emulate the actions of others. B: "rutter" does not fit as this stage involves feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the job, not justifying unsafe practices. C: "change agent" is not relevant as the nurse is not actively seeking to instigate change but rather conforming to existing practices.
Question 2 of 9
If a nurse applies Nightingale's theory to current practice, the nurse's first step will be to evaluate the hospital room's air quality and, second, to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because Nightingale's theory emphasizes the importance of a clean and well-ventilated environment for patient healing. By arranging for the client to go outside and keeping the room's window blinds open, the nurse is ensuring proper ventilation and exposure to natural light, which can promote healing. This step aligns with Nightingale's focus on the physical environment's impact on health outcomes. A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly address the fundamental principle of Nightingale's theory related to environmental factors. Checking the TV volume, consulting a dietitian, or bringing personal items like family photographs do not directly contribute to creating a healing environment based on Nightingale's theory.
Question 3 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 4 of 9
Three illegal immigrants with no health insurance or money sustained life-threatening injuries during an automobile accident. Two of these individuals had head trauma and lacerated internal organs. The decision was made to provide extended care in the trauma center after emergency surgery was performed to save their lives. The third individual received only minor injuries, which were treated in the emergency department. The care of the two critical clients was based on the ethical principle of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that focuses on maximizing overall well-being and minimizing harm. In this scenario, the decision to provide extended care to the two critical individuals with life-threatening injuries aligns with utilitarianism as it prioritizes saving the most lives and reducing suffering. By choosing to allocate resources to those with the most severe injuries, the healthcare providers are aiming to maximize the overall benefit to society. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Deontology focuses on following rules and duties regardless of the consequences. In this case, the decision to provide care based on severity of injuries goes against a strict deontological approach. C: Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' rights to make their own decisions about their care, which is not the primary consideration in this scenario. D: Veracity pertains to honesty and truthfulness in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision-making process in this healthcare scenario.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse studied a community to determine if there were clients who would benefit from a hospice program if one were developed. This type of research is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: a needs assessment method. A needs assessment method is used to identify gaps or deficiencies in services, programs, or resources in a community. In this scenario, the nurse is determining if there is a need for a hospice program, which aligns with the purpose of a needs assessment. A survey (choice A) involves collecting data from a sample group to gather insights, but it doesn't necessarily focus on identifying specific needs. Quasi-experimental (choice B) and pilot study (choice D) are research designs used to test interventions or programs, which are not the primary goal in this case.
Question 6 of 9
A patient has decided to stop hemodialysis because his renal failure progresses and he wishes to spend more time with family. Palliative care will continue, and the approach will be discussed with the patient and family as needed and at change of shift. The care delivery model in this situation is termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: patient-centered. This model focuses on meeting the individual patient's needs and preferences, involving them in decision-making, and providing care that is respectful and responsive to their values. In this scenario, the patient's decision to stop hemodialysis is respected, and palliative care is provided in alignment with his wishes. Partnerhsip (A) typically involves collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, which is not explicitly mentioned. Case management (C) focuses on coordinating services for complex cases, which is not the primary focus here. Total patient care (D) involves providing all aspects of care directly by the same nurse, which is not the main approach in this scenario.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is heard making this comment, "I believe human dignity is based on perceived self-worth while caring is based on perceived role in society that forms the basis of nursing practice." This nurse is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer choice D is correct: 1. The nurse's statement suggests a proposition concerning the constructs of nursing practice, linking human dignity and caring to nursing roles. 2. The nurse is not demonstrating a model of human dignity (A), as they are discussing the relationship between human dignity and nursing practice, not modeling it. 3. The nurse is not evaluating the relevance of Leininger's Theory (B), as the statement does not mention cultural care theory, which is central to Leininger's work. 4. The nurse is not applying Mishel's Theory of Disease Uncertainty (C), as the statement does not discuss uncertainty in illness situations, which is the focus of Mishel's theory. In summary, answer choice D is correct because the nurse is making a proposition regarding the constructs of nursing practice based on the relationship between human dignity and caring in nursing roles.
Question 8 of 9
When differentiating between slander and libel, the nurse knows that libel:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because libel refers to written defamatory statements. In this scenario, subjective comments written in the nurse's notes can be considered libel as they are documented in writing. Choice B is incorrect because it describes negative comments made verbally, which would be considered slander, not libel. Choice C is incorrect as it involves verbal communication, which falls under slander, not libel. Choice D is incorrect as it describes repeating prejudiced comments verbally, which is also considered slander, not libel.
Question 9 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.