A nurse is reading about positive reinforcement with the goal of increasing staff motivation. Which action would demonstrate positive reinforcement?

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Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions

Question 1 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 2 of 9

Registered nurses who are entering the workforce will have expanded leadership responsibilities that include: (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: serving on interdisciplinary care teams. This is correct because as registered nurses enter the workforce, they are expected to collaborate with other healthcare professionals on interdisciplinary care teams to provide comprehensive patient care. This involves working together with professionals from different disciplines to ensure holistic and effective treatment plans. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: B: Being competent to work in several areas independently when dictated by patient census - While nurses may need to be versatile, the emphasis on independent work in various areas does not necessarily reflect expanded leadership responsibilities. C: Attending a meeting to plan advanced training for unlicensed assistive personnel - While important for team collaboration, attending meetings to plan training for support staff does not directly relate to expanded leadership responsibilities. D: Evaluating outcomes of care that are reported to a standing committee - While evaluating outcomes is important, it may not specifically denote expanded leadership responsibilities compared to the collaborative nature of serving on interdisciplinary care teams.

Question 3 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 4 of 9

In the triad of health care, which would be considered the third-party payer?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Insurance company. In the triad of health care, the third-party payer refers to an entity outside of the patient and health care provider that pays for the health care services. Insurance companies typically serve as third-party payers by covering a portion or all of the costs associated with medical treatments. The other choices (A, B, D) are not considered third-party payers in this context. Choice A refers to the client/patient receiving the health care services, choice B refers to the health care provider delivering the services, and choice D refers to a government agency that sets reimbursement rules but does not directly pay for the services rendered.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is admitting a Mexican-American child, and the mother comments that the child was exposed to mal ojo. The nurse should expect to find which symptom associated with this exposure?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nervous tension. Mal ojo, commonly known as the evil eye, is a belief in many Latin American cultures that certain people have the power to cause harm with their gaze. Symptoms associated with mal ojo typically include nervous tension, irritability, and restlessness. Fever (choice A) is not a common symptom of mal ojo. Bruising (choice C) is also not typically associated with mal ojo. Somnolence (choice D) refers to excessive sleepiness, which is not a common symptom of mal ojo. Therefore, the correct answer is B as it aligns with the cultural belief and expected symptoms of mal ojo.

Question 6 of 9

When deciding which staffing option to use on a nursing unit that will open soon, the manager realizes that:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Continuity of care is enhanced with longer shifts because nurses have more time to build relationships with patients and understand their needs. Step 2: Working consecutive days per week reduces handoffs, which can lead to errors and miscommunications. Step 3: 12-hour shifts allow nurses to have more days off, reducing burnout and fatigue. Summary: Choice B is incorrect as part-time nurses may not provide consistent care. Choice C is incorrect as staff satisfaction doesn't always translate to patient satisfaction. Choice D is incorrect as the work environment can impact the quality of care provided by nurses.

Question 7 of 9

According to the Palliative Performance Scale which patient is considered to possess 70% of normal function?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Palliative Performance Scale assesses functional status in palliative care. A patient with 70% normal function would have a score of 70 on the scale, indicating that they are still able to ambulate but with limitations due to their illness. Choice A is incorrect because inability to hold a job does not directly correlate with functional status. Choice B is incorrect as spending most of the day in bed suggests a lower level of functioning. Choice D is incorrect as being bed bound indicates a more severe impairment in function compared to a patient who can still ambulate with limitations.

Question 8 of 9

An RN with excellent assessment and psychomotor skills would derive power on the basis of which source?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Expert. An RN with excellent assessment and psychomotor skills derives power from their expertise in the field. They are respected and trusted for their knowledge and abilities, giving them influence over others. Rewards (A) and coercion (B) are forms of power derived from external factors like incentives or threats, not skills. Legitimate power (D) comes from one's position or title, not necessarily from skills. In this case, the RN's power comes from their expertise, making choice C the most appropriate answer.

Question 9 of 9

The RN who identifies the best resources at the lowest cost to achieve optimal health outcomes for the client is fulfilling the role of:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: case manager. A case manager coordinates resources to achieve optimal health outcomes for clients efficiently. They assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care while considering cost-effectiveness. Informatics specialists focus on data and technology, educators provide knowledge, and quality managers ensure high standards. In this scenario, the key role is coordinating resources, making C the best choice.

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