ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse would like to advocate for increased protective services and reporting mechanisms for elder abuse and attends the "meet the candidate" session at the town hall meeting. This is an important time for the nurse to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the nurse's goal is to advocate for increased protective services for elder abuse. By learning about the key issues in the candidate's platform, the nurse can identify if the candidate supports policies related to elder abuse. This information will help the nurse assess the candidate's alignment with their advocacy goals and determine if the candidate is a suitable ally in advancing elder abuse prevention measures. A, B, and C are incorrect because: A: Educating the public about the nurse's political platform is not the primary purpose of attending the session. B: Being spontaneous may lead to an ineffective communication strategy without proper preparation. C: Addressing the candidate by their first name or title is a matter of personal preference and does not directly impact the nurse's advocacy efforts.
Question 2 of 9
A patient with complicated diabetes is scheduled for a below the knee amputation at 7 AM. The surgical team adheres to the 2012 National Patient Safety Goals by implementing which protocols? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it aligns with the 2012 National Patient Safety Goals, specifically the goal of improving the accuracy of patient identification. By asking the patient to confirm their name, type of surgery, and limb to be removed, the surgical team is ensuring that they have the correct patient and are performing the correct procedure. This protocol helps prevent errors and ensures patient safety. Option B is incorrect because asking for licensure and certification does not directly relate to patient safety or accurate patient identification. Option C is incorrect because relying solely on chart numbers or hospital numbers may not be sufficient to prevent errors in patient identification. Option D is incorrect because while marking the procedure site is important, relying solely on the patient to verify the correct site may not be as effective as having the healthcare team confirm this information with the patient.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is responsible for determining the incidence rates of hospital-acquired diarrhea on a pediatric ward after receiving reports that five children admitted with uncontrolled asthma had developed diarrhea while hospitalized. The nurse is working in the role of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: infection control. In this scenario, the nurse is focusing on preventing and controlling the spread of hospital-acquired diarrhea among pediatric patients. By investigating the incidence rates and implementing measures to reduce the risk of infection transmission, the nurse is fulfilling the role of infection control. Quality management (A) focuses on improving processes and outcomes, not specifically on infection prevention. Occupational health (C) involves ensuring workplace safety for employees, not patient infection control. Forensics (D) involves investigating and analyzing evidence related to crimes or legal matters, not infection control in a healthcare setting.
Question 4 of 9
The novice nurse calls a supervisor and requests that a "float nurse" be assigned to help with all "assessments of new admissions and postoperative patients." The supervisor asks, "How many admissions and surgery patients have you received?" The novice nurse becomes flustered because she has not checked the census but simply bases the need on feeling overwhelmed. This situation best indicates a lack of skills.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: organizational skills. The novice nurse's inability to assess the number of admissions and postoperative patients before requesting assistance indicates a lack of organizational skills. Organizational skills involve prioritizing tasks, managing time efficiently, and planning ahead. In this scenario, the nurse failed to gather essential information before making a decision, leading to inefficiency and potential misallocation of resources. Choice B: communication skills, is not the best answer because the issue is not primarily related to communication breakdown but rather a lack of organizational skills. Choice C: interpersonal skills, is not the best answer because the problem does not stem from the nurse's ability to interact with others but rather from her inability to organize her workload effectively. Choice D: clinical skills, is not the best answer because the situation is more about managing workload and resources rather than clinical knowledge or expertise.
Question 5 of 9
A Hispanic patient is visited by several family members and the nurse witnessed one visitor who pinches a piece of skin at the waist. The nurse asks the purpose and learns the "provider" is listening for a snap from the abdominal region, which is then repeated several times. The patient most likely suffers from:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: empacho. Empacho is a traditional Hispanic folk illness characterized by a blockage in the digestive system. In this scenario, the behavior of pinching the skin and listening for a snap in the abdominal region aligns with the common practice associated with empacho diagnosis. The family member is likely trying to detect an abnormal sound, indicating a blockage in the intestines. The other choices (A: mal ojo, B: susto, C: bilis) do not fit the description of the observed behavior and symptoms. Mal ojo refers to the evil eye, susto is a fright-related illness, and bilis pertains to an imbalance of bodily fluids, none of which involve the specific diagnostic behavior described in the scenario.
Question 6 of 9
A hospital is concerned that the number of medication errors has increased significantly in the past year. A project revealed four causes of medication errors. The above chart was used to help staff and administration know where to focus efforts to reduce errors. Which process improvement tool is used in this situation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pareto chart. A Pareto chart is a quality improvement tool used to prioritize and focus efforts on the most significant causes of a problem. In this case, the hospital used the chart to identify the main causes of medication errors, helping them to allocate resources efficiently. The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, making it a powerful tool for process improvement. A: Run chart is used to track data over time but does not prioritize causes like a Pareto chart. C: Flowcharts are used to map out processes and are helpful for understanding the sequence of activities, not for prioritizing causes. D: Cause-and-effect diagrams (Fishbone or Ishikawa diagram) are used to identify and organize potential causes of a problem but do not prioritize them like a Pareto chart. In summary, the Pareto chart is the most appropriate tool in this situation because it helps focus efforts on the most significant causes
Question 7 of 9
The emergency response team responded to a terrorist attack where hundreds of people died following symptoms of chest tightness, palpations, seizures, and finally paralysis. A colorless odorless liquid known as Sarin (GB) was the agent, which is primarily inhaled with limited exposure through the skin. The concentration of Sarin has not been measured. What level is the minimum level of personal protection and safety equipment (PPE) that would be needed?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Level B. In a scenario involving Sarin, a highly toxic nerve agent primarily inhaled, Level B protective equipment is required. Level B PPE includes a chemical-resistant suit, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant boots, and a full-face respirator with appropriate filter cartridges. The choice of Level B is based on the fact that Sarin is primarily inhaled, indicating the need for respiratory protection. Level A is typically used for the highest level of protection, including protection against highly toxic chemicals in both the air and on the skin, which is not necessary in this scenario. Level C and D do not provide adequate protection against a highly toxic chemical like Sarin.
Question 8 of 9
A patient is eligible to change health care providers and insurance and asks, "I am interested in health promotion activities; I walk, swim, and eat healthy. Which health insurance plan would support these activities rather than just pay for services when I am sick"? Which, if any, health insurance plan would best meet the needs of this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). HMOs focus on preventive care and health promotion activities, such as regular check-ups, screenings, and wellness programs. They emphasize keeping patients healthy and offer incentives for healthy behaviors. This aligns with the patient's interest in health promotion activities like walking, swimming, and eating healthy. Choice B (Fee for Service) typically does not emphasize preventive care and may not provide the support for the patient's health promotion activities. Choice C (Preferred Provider Organization - PPO) may offer some preventive care services, but HMOs are more structured and proactive in promoting health and wellness. Choice D is incorrect because many health insurance plans, including HMOs, cover preventive care and health promotion activities to encourage overall well-being.
Question 9 of 9
When using the ABC system of managing time, those items coded A include:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because in the ABC system, tasks coded as A are considered the most important and urgent. Calling the pharmacy to check drug availability for a patient directly impacts patient care and safety, making it a priority. B, checking a ventilator alarm, is important but not as urgent as ensuring medication availability. C, organizing the medication cart, is important but not necessarily urgent like patient-related tasks. D, writing memos for a birthday gift, is neither urgent nor directly related to patient care. Therefore, A is the correct choice for being the most critical task in the ABC system.