A patient is admitted with pneumoniThe case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a:

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Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions

Question 1 of 9

A patient is admitted with pneumoniThe case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: clinical pathway. A clinical pathway is a detailed plan of care that outlines specific interventions and treatments based on assessment findings to guide patient care in a structured manner. In this case, the plan includes specific dates for discontinuing supplemental oxygen, changing ventilation methods, and transitioning antibiotics. A. Patient classification system: This refers to categorizing patients based on certain criteria for resource allocation and staffing levels, not specific care plans. C. Patient-centered plan of care: While patient-centered care focuses on individual preferences and needs, it does not necessarily include the structured timeline and interventions outlined in a clinical pathway. D. Diagnosis-related group (DRG): DRGs are used for billing and payment purposes based on specific diagnoses, not for detailed care plans like the one described in the question.

Question 2 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 3 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 4 of 9

A nurse is evaluating Levin's Theory of Conservation to determine if it can be applied to patients in the initial phases of chemotherapy treatment. During this phase of theory acceptance, the nurse wants to determine if all the concepts of energy, structural integrity, personal integrity, and social integrity are included in the care of cancer treatment. The nurse is applying which criteria of theory acceptance?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inclusiveness. In this scenario, the nurse is evaluating if Levin's Theory of Conservation includes all the concepts related to energy, structural integrity, personal integrity, and social integrity in the care of cancer treatment. Inclusiveness as a criterion of theory acceptance involves determining if a theory encompasses all relevant concepts and variables within a certain domain. By ensuring that all key components are addressed, the theory can be considered comprehensive and applicable to various situations. Choice B: Consistency, refers to the internal logical coherence of a theory, which is not the focus of the nurse's evaluation in this case. Choice C: Accuracy, pertains to the degree to which a theory accurately reflects reality, which is not directly related to the nurse's current evaluation. Choice D: Fruitfulness, involves the ability of a theory to generate new research and insights, which is not the primary concern for the nurse's assessment of the theory's applicability to cancer treatment.

Question 5 of 9

Nurses can combat the nursing shortage by:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because advocating for funds to pay for nursing education and a safer work environment addresses the root causes of the nursing shortage. By securing funding for education, more individuals can enter the nursing profession. Creating a safer work environment enhances nurse retention. A is incorrect because while unions can negotiate for better benefits, it doesn't directly address the shortage by increasing the number of nurses. B is incorrect because reducing the requirements for foreign nurses may compromise the quality of care and does not address the shortage of local nurses. C is incorrect because working more hours with a higher nurse/patient ratio can lead to burnout and compromise patient safety, exacerbating the nursing shortage.

Question 6 of 9

A client is hypertensive, and the doctor prescribes weight reduction. The client is excited about beginning the diet, but on arriving home the spouse states, "You have always been fat, and I am not going to starve because you can't control yourself." The client becomes anxious and is unable to participate in the diet plan, resulting in a weight gain of 5 pounds in 2 weeks. Which theorist could best be referred to for guidance regarding interventions in this situation?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hildegard E. Peplau. Peplau's nursing theory focuses on interpersonal relations, emphasizing the nurse-client relationship. In this situation, the client's anxiety and inability to participate in the diet plan are directly related to the negative interaction with the spouse. Peplau's theory suggests that the nurse can intervene by providing emotional support, facilitating communication, and helping the client manage anxiety. Rogers' theory focuses on the science of unitary human beings, which is not directly applicable here. Nightingale's theory emphasizes environmental factors, not interpersonal relationships. Levine's theory focuses on conservation principles, which are not directly relevant to addressing the client's anxiety and relational issues. Therefore, Peplau's theory best guides interventions in this situation.

Question 7 of 9

To determine basic competency, the interview for a nursing position may include a test in:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: pathophysiology. This is because understanding pathophysiology is fundamental for a nurse to comprehend how diseases affect the body. It helps nurses provide appropriate care and make critical decisions. Incorrect choices: B focuses on documentation, C on medication knowledge, and D on technical skills, which are important but not as essential as understanding the physiological mechanisms of diseases.

Question 8 of 9

An RN with a diploma preparation wants to participate in decisions about health care and decides the first step is to obtain a BSN. The nurse enrolls in a nursing program offering self-scheduling and a self-paced curriculum. This nurse is taking advantage of:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A - educational mobility): 1. Educational mobility refers to the ability to move between different levels of education in nursing. 2. The nurse with a diploma seeking a BSN is utilizing educational mobility by advancing to a higher level of education. 3. Choosing a program with self-scheduling and a self-paced curriculum allows for flexibility, facilitating educational mobility. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Traditional nursing programs typically have fixed schedules and structured curricula, not aligned with self-paced learning. C: Training for advanced practice nursing involves pursuing education beyond a BSN to become an advanced practice nurse, not directly related to obtaining a BSN. D: Credit by examination allows students to earn credits based on prior knowledge, but it does not specifically relate to pursuing a BSN for educational mobility.

Question 9 of 9

During orientation, a novice nurse sits and "virtually spends" the first few paychecks, envisioning the money going into a personal bank account. In the dream state, the nurse smiles and knows that the pain of nursing school was worth it. Which phase of reality shock is the nurse experiencing?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse is experiencing the "Honeymoon" phase of reality shock. In this phase, individuals feel excited, optimistic, and idealistic about their new role and workplace. The nurse's positive visualization of enjoying the benefits of their hard work during orientation aligns with the honeymoon phase. This phase is characterized by a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, and a belief that the sacrifices made, such as enduring nursing school, were worth it. The nurse's emotional state of smiling and feeling content reflects the honeymoon phase. Other choices are incorrect: B: Shock or rejection - This phase involves feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and doubting one's abilities. The nurse's positive emotions do not align with this phase. C: Recovery - This phase involves adjusting and finding ways to cope with the challenges of the new role. The nurse is not in a phase of recovery as they are not struggling or adapting to the new environment. D: Resolution - This phase involves accepting the reality of the new role and moving forward

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