ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A novice nurse notices the medication nurse hurriedly gathering medications to be administered for the entire day, removing them from the packages, and placing them in a paper cup with the patient's name and room number on the cup. When one of the patients points at a pill and asks, "What is this?" and "What does this do?" the medication nurse is uncertain, because it has long since been removed from the packaging. The novice nurse speaks to the nurse manager about her observations and describes her concerns. The novice nurse has assumed the role of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Change agent Rationale: 1. A change agent is someone who identifies issues or concerns and takes action to implement positive changes. 2. In this scenario, the novice nurse recognized a potential problem with medication administration and spoke to the nurse manager to address it. 3. By seeking to improve medication safety practices, the novice nurse is actively working towards positive change within the healthcare setting. 4. The other choices are incorrect: - A "loner" implies someone who prefers to work alone, which is not relevant to the situation. - "Rutter" and "native" are not recognized terms in this context and do not apply to the nurse's actions.
Question 2 of 9
A daughter tells the nurse that, "Mom will be as good as new when we get this advanced cancer cured." How can the nurse best help the daughter in the role of caregiver?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because setting realistic goals is crucial for managing expectations and promoting effective caregiving. By helping the daughter understand the reality of the situation and setting achievable goals, the nurse can support both the mother's care and the daughter's emotional well-being. Option B does not address the daughter's emotional needs or the importance of realistic expectations. Option C focuses on the patient's perspective rather than the daughter's role as a caregiver. Option D, while beneficial for emotional expression, does not directly address the need for realistic goal-setting in caregiving.
Question 3 of 9
A patient presents with chest pain that increases when lying flat and low-grade fever. Assessment reveals muffled heart sounds, tachycardia, and 3+ edema in the lower extremities. The nurse asks the patient to learn forward, which eases respiratory efforts. The nurse then places the stethoscope at which area on the chest to facilitate auscultation? The above question represents which type of alternate-format question written at which level of Bloom's taxonomy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hot-spot item, analysis level. In this scenario, the patient's symptoms suggest pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade. To facilitate auscultation, the nurse should place the stethoscope at the point of maximal intensity of the heart sounds, which is typically at the apex of the heart or the lower left sternal border. This requires the nurse to analyze the patient's symptoms and apply knowledge of cardiac anatomy to determine the optimal auscultation site. A: Multiple-response item, comprehension level - This choice involves selecting multiple correct answers from a list of options based on understanding the presented information. It doesn't require the critical thinking and analysis needed in this scenario. C: Chart/exhibit item, application level - This choice involves interpreting information presented in a chart or exhibit to apply it to a specific situation. While it involves application, it doesn't require the same level of analysis as determining the best auscultation site. D: Drag-and
Question 4 of 9
Health care is one of the major stories in newspaper and television and a group of nurses are interested in how the economy impacts their nursing practice. The group critiques the relationship between contemporary economic trends and professional nursing practice and finds:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because pay for performance initiatives incentivize nurses to improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and following best practices. This directly links economic incentives to nursing practice. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG system primarily affects hospital reimbursement, not nursing shortages. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the type of care, not the economic impact on nursing practice. Choice D is incorrect as economic factors like funding, resources, and reimbursement significantly influence nursing practice.
Question 5 of 9
All hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds must ask clients whether they have a living will or a durable power of attorney. This act is known as the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Uniform Health Care Decisions Act. This act mandates hospitals to inquire if clients have a living will or durable power of attorney to ensure patients' healthcare wishes are honored. A: Emergency Treatment and Active Labor Law pertains to emergency care. B: Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on discrimination against individuals with disabilities. D: Doctrine of res ipsa loquitur involves negligence cases where the injury speaks for itself. Therefore, the correct choice is C as it directly addresses the requirement for hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse on the unit is heard saying, "I am not going to document that I used four catheters to start that IV; it doesn't matter anyway." What action can help the staff nurse understand the financial budget goals of the unit?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct because asking the nurse to represent the unit on the budget planning committee will directly expose them to the financial budget goals. This involvement will provide insight into the importance of accurate documentation and resource utilization. It offers a practical understanding of how decisions impact the unit's financial health. Summary: A: Working in payroll does not directly connect the nurse to the unit's financial goals. B: Personal finance CEUs are not specific to the unit's budget goals. D: Monitoring supplies is important but does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the unit's financial budget goals.
Question 7 of 9
A patient informs the nurse, "I can't sit in the yard for even 10 minutes without my skin turning red and tender." The nurse would assess for the use of which complementary alternative medicine (CAM)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Feverfew. Feverfew is commonly used for its anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce skin sensitivity to sunlight, which could be the cause of the patient's skin turning red and tender. St. John's wort is used for depression, Ginkgo biloba for memory, and Echinacea for immune support, none of which are directly related to the patient's symptom.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is reading about positive reinforcement with the goal of increasing staff motivation. Which action would demonstrate positive reinforcement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because giving spur-of-the-moment recognition to an employee who has accomplished a goal is an example of positive reinforcement. This action immediately follows the desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of it being repeated. This instant feedback helps reinforce the employee's behavior positively. A: Thanking each employee every morning is a form of positive feedback, but it lacks the immediacy of reinforcement. B: Rotating a monthly recognition award does not provide immediate reinforcement for specific behaviors. C: Waiting for an annual review to recognize accomplishments does not provide timely feedback to reinforce desired behaviors.
Question 9 of 9
A staff nurse provides care based on intuition and always seems to be in control of her personal and professional life, serving on the board of the state nurses association, serving as the nursing unit's representative on the ethics committee, and coaching her daughter's soft ball team. Many of the staff observes how she manages time and provides care. This nurse's power comes from which type of power?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Referent power. Referent power is based on an individual's personal characteristics that others admire and seek to emulate. In this case, the nurse's ability to manage time effectively, maintain control in her personal and professional life, and serve in various leadership roles demonstrates her influence over others through admiration and respect. It is not legitimate power (B) as her authority does not stem from a formal position. It is not information power (C) as her power is not derived from possessing or sharing specific knowledge. It is not connection power (D) as her influence is not based on her network or relationships but rather on her personal qualities.