A nurse has heard rumors that other nurses are interested in unionizing but knows little about the purpose of unions. The nurse's first action is to:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because reviewing the National Nurses United website for collective bargaining information is the most appropriate first action. This option allows the nurse to educate themselves on the purpose of unions and understand the benefits of collective bargaining. It promotes informed decision-making and empowers the nurse with knowledge before taking any further actions. A: Contacting an arbitrator may be premature as the nurse needs to first understand the basics of unions. B: Picketing the agency is counterproductive and may create a hostile environment without proper information. C: Signing a union authorization card without understanding the implications is not advisable and may lead to unintended consequences. Summary: Option D is correct as it promotes education and informed decision-making, while the other choices are premature, potentially harmful, or lack necessary information.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing as a prerequisite for their advanced practice role. They then need to complete a master's or doctoral program in nurse anesthesia. This advanced education and training enable nurse anesthetists to provide anesthesia care in various healthcare settings. Incorrect answers: A: Speech therapists require a master's degree in speech-language pathology. B: Occupational therapists require a master's degree in occupational therapy. C: Nurse-midwives require a master's degree in nurse-midwifery or a related field. In summary, the minimum education requirement of a baccalaureate degree aligns with the role of a nurse anesthetist, making choice D the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the Affordable Care Act of 2011 aimed to provide health care benefits to millions who were previously uninsurable or unable to afford insurance. This is in line with the main goal of the act, which was to increase access to affordable health care for Americans. Choice A is incorrect as the act does not mandate educational requirements for nurses. Choice C is incorrect as the act does not specifically cap the amount that hospitals and physicians can charge for procedures. Choice D is incorrect as the act focuses on expanding access to health insurance rather than directly subsidizing private insurance companies to reduce costs for individuals with chronic illnesses.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. The nurse's interest in coordinating patient care across different settings aligns with the role of a case manager. 2. Case managers focus on ensuring continuity of care and coordinating services for patients transitioning between different healthcare settings. 3. This role involves advocating for patients' needs and optimizing their health outcomes through seamless care transitions. Summary: A: DMP focuses on managing chronic illnesses, not coordinating care across settings. B: Utilization management nurses focus on determining appropriate reimbursement levels, not on care coordination. D: Reviewers for Managed Care Organizations focus on assessing medical necessity and cost-effectiveness, not on care coordination.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: contact the state board of nursing to determine legal scope of practice for LPNs. This is the most appropriate action because the state board of nursing is the authoritative body that governs nursing practice within a specific state. By contacting the board, the RN can get accurate and up-to-date information on the legal scope of practice for LPNs in Arkansas. This ensures compliance with state regulations and avoids any potential legal issues. A: Querying the state nursing association may provide some insight, but the state board of nursing is the official entity that regulates nursing practice. B: Asking the LPNs about their tasks may not provide a comprehensive understanding of their legal scope of practice and could lead to misunderstandings. D: Referring to California's nurse practice act is irrelevant as each state has its own regulations, and assuming consistency across states can lead to incorrect assumptions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: educator. The nurse is providing information and teaching patients about preventing diabetic neuropathies, which aligns with the role of an educator. Educators focus on imparting knowledge and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Change agents initiate and lead changes within an organization, not directly related to patient education. C: Managers oversee daily operations and resources within a healthcare setting, not specifically focused on patient education. D: Coordinators facilitate communication and collaboration among healthcare team members, but not primarily responsible for patient education.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). This classification system assigns a fixed price to specific diagnoses or procedures, such as pneumonia, for reimbursement purposes. DRGs aim to standardize payment based on patient diagnosis and treatment, promoting efficiency and cost containment in healthcare. B: Subjective symptom management is not a classification system for reimbursement but rather a method of addressing patient symptoms. C: Acuity classification system refers to determining the level of care a patient needs based on severity, not reimbursement. D: Organized managed care involves coordination of healthcare services and providers, not specific classification for reimbursement.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the nurse who refuses to work an extra shift despite needing money is more prone to burnout. This choice indicates a lack of work-life balance and boundary-setting, leading to increased stress and potential burnout. Refusing to take breaks or extra shifts can result in exhaustion and emotional strain. Option A is incorrect as academic performance does not necessarily correlate with burnout. Option B, being industrious and conscientious, is actually a positive trait that may help prevent burnout through effective time management and self-care. Option D's involvement in one committee and maintaining school connections is also not indicative of burnout risk, as long as boundaries are maintained.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because advocating for funds to pay for nursing education and a safer work environment addresses the root causes of the nursing shortage. By securing funding for education, more individuals can enter the nursing profession. Creating a safer work environment enhances nurse retention. A is incorrect because while unions can negotiate for better benefits, it doesn't directly address the shortage by increasing the number of nurses. B is incorrect because reducing the requirements for foreign nurses may compromise the quality of care and does not address the shortage of local nurses. C is incorrect because working more hours with a higher nurse/patient ratio can lead to burnout and compromise patient safety, exacerbating the nursing shortage.