ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse learns in orientation that an incident report does not "blame" anyone but concisely documents the events leading up to an occurrence. Which events would warrant completion of an incident report? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it involves a medical error that could potentially harm the patient. An incident report is necessary to document such events for quality improvement and patient safety. Choice A does not involve a preventable adverse event, so it does not require an incident report. Choice C is related to communication issues and can be resolved without an incident report. Choice D involves a patient fall, which is a reportable event, but the client was informed not to get up alone, making it less urgent for an incident report compared to a medication error.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse takes a day to travel to a state park where she can sit by the river alone to reflect over recent events and put things into perspective. She recalls the time she was complimented for her ability to deal with a difficult patient and another time when she was criticized for lack of teamwork. This nurse is improving which source of energy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse is reflecting on her personal growth and finding meaning in her experiences, indicating a focus on values, purpose, and inner strength, which align with the spiritual source of energy. This choice is correct as it involves connecting with higher values and beliefs to find motivation and resilience. Emotional energy (choice A) focuses on feelings and expression, physical energy (choice C) relates to the body's vitality, and mental energy (choice D) pertains to cognitive abilities and focus. In this scenario, the nurse's focus is on introspection and personal growth rather than emotional, physical, or mental aspects, making choice B the most appropriate.
Question 3 of 9
The demographics of the twenty-first century nursing population indicate that:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the highest level of nursing education for most RNs is an associate degree. This is supported by data showing that a significant proportion of registered nurses have obtained their education through associate degree programs. Additionally, pursuing an associate degree is a common pathway for individuals entering the nursing profession due to its accessibility and shorter duration compared to obtaining a bachelor's or graduate degree. Choice A is incorrect because while there may be second-degree nursing students entering the field, the average age of individuals entering nursing is typically younger than 45 years old. Choice B is incorrect as there is increasing diversity in the nursing workforce, with nurses from various ethnic backgrounds entering and obtaining graduate degrees. Choice D is incorrect as the majority of nurses are not practicing in hospitals, with many working in other healthcare settings such as clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health centers.
Question 4 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 5 of 9
A certified oncology nurse notices that a novice nurse is unsure of decision making and lacks technical skills. The novice nurse gains confidence by sharing and learning with the experienced nurse. This relationship continues and builds, allowing the novice nurse to become more confident. This relationship is known as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: mentoring. Mentoring involves an experienced individual guiding and supporting a less experienced individual to help them develop skills, confidence, and knowledge. In this scenario, the certified oncology nurse is providing guidance and support to the novice nurse, helping them gain confidence and improve decision-making and technical skills. Mentoring fosters a personalized and supportive relationship that allows for growth and development. Summary of other choices: B: Role modeling involves observing and emulating behaviors of others, but it does not necessarily involve the direct guidance and support seen in mentoring. C: Preceptorship typically refers to a structured program where a more experienced individual (preceptor) guides a less experienced individual (preceptee) for a specific period, which is more formalized than the relationship described in the scenario. D: Socialization refers to the process of adapting to the norms and values of a group or society, which is not directly related to the mentorship relationship described in the scenario.
Question 6 of 9
When the job applicant is asked to identify weaknesses, one appropriate reply for the novice nurse might be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Delegating to peers." This response shows self-awareness and willingness to improve by acknowledging a common weakness for novice nurses - difficulty in delegating tasks to peers. It demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow in the role. A: "I have no weaknesses." - This answer lacks self-awareness and does not show a willingness to improve. It comes across as overconfident. B: "Are you trying to set me up?" - This response is defensive and unprofessional. It does not address the question directly. D: "Caring requires weakness." - This answer is vague and does not provide a specific weakness or show a proactive approach to self-improvement.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is reading an abstract about a study related to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The purpose is stated as follows: "To examine the generalizability of two randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to determine whether steroid therapy resulted in the positive outcomes." The nurse knows generalizability refers to the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Generalizability refers to the conclusion that findings from a sample can be applied to the entire population. In this case, the purpose of the study is to determine if the positive outcomes of steroid therapy in two randomized placebo-controlled trials for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be generalized to a broader population of patients with the same condition. Choice B is incorrect because generalizability is not about the type of steroids used but about the applicability of study findings. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to selection bias, not generalizability. Choice D is incorrect as generalizability is about the application of findings, not the universality of bacteria types.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse providing care at the bedside receives an "alert" that a patient's stat potassium level is 5 and digoxin (Lanoxin) is scheduled. The nurse holds the medication and prevents a possible complication. This feature of the Electronic Health Record is available through which core function of EHR?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decision support. In this scenario, the nurse received an alert regarding a potential drug interaction between the patient's potassium level and the scheduled digoxin. Decision support in EHR provides real-time clinical guidance to healthcare providers, helping them make informed decisions to improve patient safety. Holding the medication in response to the alert demonstrates the effective use of decision support to prevent adverse drug events. Choices A, C, and D do not directly relate to the situation described and do not involve the clinical decision-making support provided by EHRs.
Question 9 of 9
Health care professionals have been activated to respond to a disaster, and the registered nurse who is coordinating the effort realizes that: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because in a mass casualty incident, triage principles dictate that care should be prioritized to those with the greatest chance of survival to maximize overall survival rates. This ensures that limited resources are used efficiently. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Using only community resources first may not be sufficient in a large-scale disaster and could delay the response, leading to unnecessary loss of life. C: State assistance may not be automatically available in every disaster situation and is typically coordinated based on the severity and impact of the disaster. D: Emergency operating plans should be tailored to individual facilities' needs and capabilities, as a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective in all scenarios.