ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse responsible for staffing a medical-surgical unit must consider: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the patient census. This is crucial for determining the appropriate number of staff needed to provide safe and effective care based on the current number of patients. The patient census directly impacts workload and patient acuity levels. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because although they may be important factors to consider when staffing a medical-surgical unit, they are not as directly related to determining the immediate staffing needs based on the current patient load. The physical layout of the unit, complexity of care required, and educational level of staff are important for overall unit operations and quality of care but do not have the same immediate impact on staffing decisions as the patient census.
Question 2 of 5
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 3 of 5
A novice nurse is assigned a patient who has an order to draw blood for culture and sensitivity from a central line before antibiotic therapy is started. The novice reads and rereads the procedure manual. An hour later he stands at the bedside of the patient and stares at the central line, without knowing how to proceed. This phase of reality shock is termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: shock or rejection. This phase of reality shock is characterized by feelings of being overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of how to proceed despite having knowledge. The novice nurse is experiencing a sense of rejection towards the situation due to the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This phase is common among new healthcare professionals as they transition from academic learning to real-world clinical practice. A: Honeymoon phase refers to the initial period of excitement and enthusiasm in a new role. C: Recovery phase is when the individual starts to adapt and become more comfortable with the new role. D: Resolution phase is the final stage where the individual fully integrates into the role and becomes confident and competent. In this scenario, the novice nurse is clearly struggling and feeling overwhelmed, indicating that they are in the shock or rejection phase, making choice B the correct answer.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of delegation?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Person Rationale: - The five rights of delegation are Right Task, Right Circumstances, Right Person, Right Direction/Communication, and Right Supervision. - In this scenario, choosing the Right Person means delegating tasks to individuals with appropriate skills and abilities, such as UAP assisting with oral hygiene. - This choice is correct as the nurse is delegating a task that falls within the UAP's scope of practice without requiring nursing process decisions.
Question 5 of 5
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.