A nurse has been asked to serve as the charge nurse on the evening shift. The agency where the nurse is employed is considering unionization. If the charge nurse position is accepted, this nurse:

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Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions

Question 1 of 9

A nurse has been asked to serve as the charge nurse on the evening shift. The agency where the nurse is employed is considering unionization. If the charge nurse position is accepted, this nurse:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Charge nurses are typically considered part of the nursing staff, not part of the management team. Step 2: Since charge nurses are not considered part of the management team, they are eligible to be represented by the union. Step 3: Being part of the union means the charge nurse can benefit from collective bargaining activities and have a voice in workplace decisions. Step 4: Choice A is correct as it aligns with the general understanding of charge nurses' roles and their eligibility for union representation. Summary: Choice B is incorrect because charge nurses are not typically considered part of the management team, so union participation would not necessarily be a conflict of interest. Choice C is incorrect because union representation does not automatically mean filing grievances that will be arbitrated. Choice D is incorrect because charge nurses can participate in collective bargaining activities related to unfair labor practices if they are represented by the union.

Question 2 of 9

Which situation would be considered a workforce advocacy issue that is reportable to the state nurses association or the Center for American Nurses if it is not resolved at the local level?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Identification of the Issue - The situation described in option D directly impacts the safety of nurses by preventing them from changing the sharps container when needed, posing a risk for needlestick injuries. Step 2: Significance of the Issue - Needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers and can result in exposure to bloodborne pathogens, leading to infections such as HIV and Hepatitis. Step 3: Advocacy Relevance - The inability to access the key to change the sharps container compromises the safety of nurses and violates their right to a safe work environment, making it a workforce advocacy issue. Step 4: Reporting to Higher Authorities - If the issue is not resolved at the local level, it should be reported to the state nurses association or the Center for American Nurses for intervention and resolution to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. Summary: Options A, B, and C do not directly relate to workforce advocacy issues that pose a significant risk to nurses' safety. Option

Question 3 of 9

A nurse has recently been appointed to the position of nurse manager. To become successful in managing the unit's budget, the new nurse manager should: (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because reading the financial policy manual will provide the new nurse manager with a comprehensive understanding of the organization's budgeting process, which is crucial for successful budget management. This will help the nurse manager make informed decisions and align their actions with the organization's budgeting guidelines. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests delegating budget management to the nursing administration office, which does not promote the nurse manager's development of budgeting skills and knowledge. Choice C is incorrect because while it is important to communicate with the hospital's finance office for guidance, solely relying on this communication may not provide the nurse manager with a deep understanding of the budgeting process. Choice D is incorrect because focusing only on bottom-line numbers without understanding the details of each line in budget reports can lead to oversight of important budget components and hinder effective budget management.

Question 4 of 9

Which statement correctly applies to a person's suffering?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Suffering and pain are distinct experiences. Pain refers to physical discomfort, while suffering encompasses emotional and psychological distress as well. Step 2: Individuals can experience suffering without physical pain, such as emotional trauma or existential crisis. Step 3: Recognizing the difference between suffering and pain is crucial in providing holistic care in nursing practice. Step 4: Therefore, option B is correct as it acknowledges the separate nature of suffering and pain. Other options are incorrect as they oversimplify or misinterpret the relationship between pain and suffering.

Question 5 of 9

Which type of theory most often guides present nursing practice?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Middle range theory. Middle range theories are more specific and applicable to everyday nursing practice compared to grand theories, which are broad and abstract. Developmental theory focuses on human growth and behavior, not specifically nursing practice. Values theory pertains to ethical values and principles, but may not directly guide nursing practice. Therefore, middle range theory is most commonly used in present nursing practice for its practical and relevant applications.

Question 6 of 9

A male nurse hired to work in the emergency department is observed throwing a contaminated needle into the trash can. The team leader reprimands the nurse for not appropriately disposing of sharps. The nurse states, "You don't care that I threw the needle in the trash. You just want an all-female staff," putting the team leader in a defensive position. This communication technique is known as:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: red herring. In this scenario, the male nurse deflects the issue of improper sharps disposal by accusing the team leader of having ulterior motives related to gender discrimination. This is a classic example of a red herring, where the nurse introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue. The nurse's response does not address the concern raised about sharps disposal but instead shifts the focus to an unrelated accusation. The other choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the communication technique used in the scenario. A straw man involves misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, slippery slope is a form of logical fallacy, and confusing cause and effect refers to a mistaken understanding of the relationship between two events.

Question 7 of 9

A group of nurses interested in unionizing decides to contact the largest union in the United States representing registered nurses, which is the:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: National Nurses United. This is because National Nurses United is the largest union in the United States specifically representing registered nurses. They have a strong presence in advocating for nurses' rights and providing resources for unionizing efforts. A: American Nurses Association is a professional organization, not a union. B: United American Nurses was dissolved in 2009, so it is not the largest union. D: National Labor Relations Board is a government agency overseeing labor relations, not a union representing nurses.

Question 8 of 9

A nurse is part of the policy committee for a hospital. The committee is provided with statistics indicating that patients participating in a satisfaction survey felt they lacked sufficient information about new drugs started while hospitalized and continued after discharge. In addition, charts noted high recidivism rates. The committee recommended that a formalized patient education plan be instituted to reconcile all medications and provide patient information about new medications. The committee is using which component of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011 message?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Policy is based on data, which provides the groundwork for decision making. This is the correct answer because the scenario describes the policy committee using statistics about patient satisfaction and recidivism rates to make recommendations for a patient education plan. By utilizing data, the committee is following the IOM 2011 message of basing decisions on evidence and information. A: Nurses achieving higher levels of education is not directly related to the scenario and the committee's decision-making process. B: The requirement of a master's degree for nurses on policy committees is not mentioned in the scenario and is not relevant to the decision-making process described. C: Comparing nurse pay to physicians' pay is not relevant to the scenario or the IOM 2011 message of using data for decision making.

Question 9 of 9

The primary purpose of licensure for RNs is to:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice C: 1. Licensure ensures RNs meet minimum standards to practice. 2. Protects the public from incompetent or unqualified nurses. 3. Ensures RNs adhere to ethical and legal standards. 4. Maintains accountability and promotes safe patient care. Summary: A: Incorrect, as licensure is not primarily about title protection. B: Incorrect, as while RNs demonstrate knowledge, licensure is broader. D: Incorrect, as enhancing recognition is not the primary goal of licensure.

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