A nurse is very interested in learning more about health care economics and how she can use that knowledge to become a better patient advocate. She comments, "Nurses should not only deliver care one day at a time in one facility but should coordinate patient care as they move from acute care to rehabilitation to home care." This nurse would be a candidate for which nursing role?

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Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions

Question 1 of 9

A nurse is very interested in learning more about health care economics and how she can use that knowledge to become a better patient advocate. She comments, "Nurses should not only deliver care one day at a time in one facility but should coordinate patient care as they move from acute care to rehabilitation to home care." This nurse would be a candidate for which nursing role?

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.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse hopes to improve time management skills using the ABC prioritization approach. Which tasks would be prioritized as "B"? (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because reviewing the dress code policy to give feedback before an appointment in the morning is time-sensitive and directly impacts the nurse's professional responsibilities. This task falls under the "B" category in the ABC prioritization approach, which prioritizes tasks that are important but not urgent. This task requires attention before the morning appointment to ensure professionalism and compliance. Tasks A, C, and D are not prioritized as "B" because they are either more urgent or less important compared to reviewing the dress code policy before the morning appointment. Task A is important but not urgent as the time sheet is not due immediately. Task C is categorized as "A" as it involves a critical patient situation that requires immediate attention. Task D is categorized as "C" as it is important and time-sensitive, needing completion before discharge in 2 hours.

Question 3 of 9

A contractual agreement between the insurer and the provider in which covered members are encouraged to use specific health care providers in return for reduced rates is which type of arrangement?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Preferred provider organization (PPO). PPOs offer reduced rates to covered members who use specific healthcare providers within their network. This arrangement incentivizes members to choose in-network providers, resulting in cost savings for both the insurer and the member. In contrast, A (Health maintenance organization) focuses on preventive care and requires members to select a primary care physician, C (Fee-for-service arrangement) allows members to choose any provider with varying reimbursement rates, and D (Philanthropic agency) is not related to health insurance arrangements.

Question 4 of 9

In order to best improve patient outcomes on an acute care hospital unit, which intervention should the nursing staff advocate for?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreasing the number of patients cared for on a specific unit can improve patient outcomes by allowing nurses to provide more individualized care, reduce workload stress, and prevent errors. Staffing only 8-hour shifts (A) may not address the root cause of patient outcomes. Increasing salaries for experienced nurses (C) may improve retention but does not directly impact patient care. Increasing staffing on the evening shift (D) may help with workload distribution but does not address the overall patient load issue.

Question 5 of 9

Patients with heart failure have extended lengths of stay and are often readmitted shortly after they have been discharged. To improve quality of care, a type of "road map" that included all elements of care for this disease and that standardized treatment by guiding daily care was implemented. This road map is referred to as a(n):

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: critical pathway. Critical pathways are structured, multidisciplinary care plans that detail essential steps in the care of patients with specific conditions, such as heart failure. They standardize treatment by outlining the sequence and timing of interventions, tests, and medications, helping to improve efficiency and quality of care. Critical pathways guide daily care by providing a roadmap for healthcare providers to follow, ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely interventions. Explanation of other choices: A: Benchmark - Benchmarks are standards or reference points used for comparison, not a structured care plan like a critical pathway. C: Algorithm - Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems, not necessarily a comprehensive care plan like a critical pathway. D: Case management - Case management involves coordinating care and services for individual patients, not a standardized care plan for a specific disease like a critical pathway.

Question 6 of 9

A nurse is listening to a patient's apical heart rate. The patient asks, "Is everything okay?" The nurse says nothing and shrugs her shoulders. The nurse is demonstrating:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: false assurance. By not providing a verbal response to the patient's question and shrugging her shoulders, the nurse is not giving any indication of the patient's actual condition. This lack of communication can lead the patient to interpret the nurse's actions as reassurance that everything is fine, which is a form of false assurance. This behavior can be misleading and may prevent the patient from receiving important information about their health status. Incorrect choices: A: open communication - The nurse's lack of verbal response and shrugging shoulders does not demonstrate open communication. B: filtration - Filtration is not relevant to the situation described. C: blocking - While the nurse is not providing necessary information, the term "blocking" does not accurately describe the situation.

Question 7 of 9

When working with the family of a patient receiving palliative care, what is the nurse's initial intervention?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial intervention for the nurse when working with the family of a patient receiving palliative care is to identify what types of help the family will need to care for the patient (Choice B). This is because understanding the family's needs and resources is essential for providing effective support. By identifying the specific types of assistance required, the nurse can tailor the care plan to meet the family's needs, enhancing the quality of care provided to the patient. Determining the patient's durable power of attorney (Choice A) is important but usually comes later in the process after understanding the family's needs. Completing an assessment of the family's strengths and weaknesses (Choice C) is valuable but not the initial step. Discussing the dynamics of the family with the patient (Choice D) may be relevant but is not the priority when initiating support for the family.

Question 8 of 9

A client who is reading a newspaper asks, "This article about health care states that many providers of health care lack effectiveness. What is the difference between effectiveness and efficiency?" The nurse explains that:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Define effectiveness and efficiency - Effectiveness is achieving the intended outcome, while efficiency is achieving the outcome with minimal waste. Step 2: Analyze option A - It correctly defines effectiveness as performing the correct test or intervention and efficiency as the wise use of supplies and resources for the desired outcome. Step 3: Justification - The nurse explains that many healthcare providers lack effectiveness, indicating they are not achieving the desired outcomes, which aligns with the definition of effectiveness in option A. Step 4: Summary of incorrect choices - B incorrectly defines efficiency as quick completion of tasks, C confuses efficiency with wastage, and D incorrectly associates efficiency with speed rather than minimal waste.

Question 9 of 9

A patient is brought to the unit with mediastinal chest tubes with no fluctuation in the water seal chamber; arterial blood gas results reveal pH, 55; CO , 55; HCO, 28 mEq/L, and O , 98%. Carotid artery pulsation is visible with the head of the bed elevated and the use of tangential lighting. The first action of the nurse is to: The above question represents which level of Bloom's taxonomy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Application. In this scenario, the nurse needs to apply knowledge of arterial blood gas results and assessment findings to determine appropriate actions. With the patient having abnormal ABG results and visible carotid artery pulsation, the nurse must recognize impending respiratory failure and act promptly, such as notifying the healthcare provider or respiratory therapist. This requires applying critical thinking skills to make decisions based on collected data. Incorrect choices: A: Knowledge - Choosing this option implies only recalling facts, which is not sufficient in this situation. B: Comprehension - This choice suggests understanding the information given, but it does not involve applying that understanding to make decisions. D: Analysis - While analysis involves breaking down information, the immediate action needed in this case is more about applying knowledge to prevent a potential crisis, rather than deeply analyzing the situation.

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