ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse researcher determines whether findings are substantial by calculating the level of significance. Which aspect of the scientific inquiry is being conducted?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Evaluation. In this scenario, the nurse researcher is determining the significance of findings, which falls under the evaluation phase of scientific inquiry. Evaluation involves assessing the results and determining their importance and relevance. It is crucial in determining the validity and impact of the research findings. A: Hypothesis - While formulating a hypothesis is an important step in the scientific method, it is not directly related to determining the significance of findings. B: Method - Refers to the procedures used to conduct the research study, not specifically related to evaluating the significance of findings. C: Data collection - Involves the process of gathering data, not directly related to determining the level of significance of findings.
Question 2 of 9
According to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (2000):
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (2000) mandates that employers must document how and where a sharps injury occurred, including the brand of device involved. This helps in identifying patterns of injuries and evaluating the effectiveness of safety devices. Choice A is incorrect because the Act does not specifically mention nurses in managerial positions evaluating safe needle devices. Choice B is incorrect as there is no requirement for registered nurses to pass a test after sustaining a needle stick. Choice C is incorrect as the Act sets federal standards for safe needle devices, not leaving it up to individual states to determine.
Question 3 of 9
A physician orders a drug for a patient with a known allergy resulting in anaphylactic shock. The nurse:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because disclosure is a key component of the national patient safety movement. By disclosing the error to the patient and involving them in the decision-making process, the nurse promotes transparency, trust, and patient-centered care. This approach also allows for timely interventions to address the allergic reaction effectively. Choice A is incorrect because prioritizing agency consequences over patient safety goes against ethical principles. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests disclosing before discussing with the physician or management, which could lead to confusion and potential miscommunication. Choice D is incorrect since reporting to the patient's insurance company does not address the immediate patient safety concern of the allergic reaction.
Question 4 of 9
Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) provided the delegatee has had experience and training?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because obtaining a sterile urine sample from a patient with a Foley catheter connected to a closed drainage system is a task that can be safely delegated to UAP who have experience and training. Here's the rationale: 1. Task Complexity: This task involves a straightforward procedure that does not require specialized medical knowledge. 2. Training and Experience: UAP can be trained to perform this task under supervision and with specific guidelines. 3. Minimal Risk: When performed correctly, obtaining a sterile urine sample carries minimal risk to the patient. 4. Routine Procedure: This task is a common and routine procedure that UAP can be trained to perform effectively. Other Choices: A: Evaluating the ability of a patient to swallow ice after a gastroscopy involves medical assessment and potential risk of aspiration, which should be done by a licensed healthcare professional. B: Assisting a postoperative hip replacement patient to ambulate for the first time requires monitoring for complications and assessing patient response, which should be done
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is removing a saturated dressing from an abdominal incision and must cut the tape to remove the dressing. The nurse accidentally cuts the sutures holding the incision, and evisceration occurs. In quality improvement, this incident is best identified as a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: sentinel event. A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm to a patient. In this scenario, the accidental cutting of sutures leading to evisceration constitutes a serious harm to the patient, making it a sentinel event. This event requires immediate investigation, analysis, and implementation of preventive measures to ensure patient safety. A: Root cause refers to the underlying reason for a problem, not the event itself. C: Variation in performance is related to inconsistencies in processes, not a specific critical incident like evisceration. D: Causal factor is a contributing element to an event, but it does not capture the severity and significance of a sentinel event like evisceration.
Question 6 of 9
A hospital recently learned that their scorecard did not meet the national benchmark for patient satisfaction and brought in a professional change agent to determine what their issues were and how they could improve their score. The agent collected data and recommended that nurses participate in interdisciplinary walking rounds and allow the patient and family to be participants. Nurses now round every shift and perform "huddles to update the team" as needed throughout the shift as part of best practices. Random visits are made to nursing units to ensure all nurses are participating and patients are interviewed for their involvement. This stage of Lewin's change is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: moving. In Lewin's change management model, the process involves three stages: unfreeze, move, and refreeze. In this scenario, the hospital has already identified the need for change (unfreeze) by recognizing the issue with patient satisfaction scores. The change agent's recommendations and the implementation of interdisciplinary walking rounds and involving patients and families in rounds indicate the active phase of making changes and transitioning to new practices (moving). The actions taken, such as rounding every shift, updating the team through huddles, monitoring nurse participation, and interviewing patients, all demonstrate movement towards the desired change. Refreeze would come after the changes have been successfully implemented to stabilize and institutionalize the new practices. The options A (unfreeze) and C (refreeze) are incorrect as the hospital is currently in the implementation phase of change, and option D (resistance) does not apply as there is no indication of significant resistance to the proposed changes in the scenario provided.
Question 7 of 9
Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to delegate to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has been established?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Teaching a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma is a task that can be appropriately delegated to an LPN/LVN when the patient is stable and competence has been established. Here's the rationale: 1. Teaching is within the scope of practice for LPN/LVNs as it involves providing education and instructions to patients. 2. Administering medications IV (option B) requires a higher level of assessment and monitoring skills, making it inappropriate for delegation to an LPN/LVN. 3. Developing a plan of care (option C) involves critical thinking and decision-making skills beyond the scope of an LPN/LVN. 4. Administering an enema (option A) may involve assessing the patient's condition and response, which is beyond the typical scope of an LPN/LVN.
Question 8 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 9 of 9
A nurse who has practiced for 1 year on a medical-surgical unit is very interested in a position in the operating room. She traces the nursing history of surgery to learn how nursing has evolved in this practice. To determine if, historically, surgery methods advanced the practice of nursing, select the correct statements. (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The "Barbers" of the Middle Ages used sterile techniques to reduce wound infections. This statement is correct because during the Middle Ages, barbers often performed surgical procedures and used techniques like boiling water and alcohol to sterilize instruments, reducing the risk of wound infections. This practice contributed to advancing the field of surgery and indirectly influenced nursing practice by emphasizing the importance of infection control. Incorrect choices: A: The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use anesthesia in the operating room - This statement is incorrect as anesthesia was not used in surgery until the 19th century. C: The Indian culture from 274 to 236 BC had hospitals staffed with female nurses who practiced much like today's nurses - This statement is incorrect as while Indian culture had early hospitals and female nurses, their practices were not comparable to modern nursing. D: During the Renaissance, advances in nursing education, including surgery, were nonexistent - This statement is incorrect as the Renaissance saw advancements in medical and surgical knowledge