ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient with kyphosis is visiting a practitioner of chiropractic medicine for the first time and asks, "How does this therapy work?" The practitioner replies, "I will use my hands along with heat to correct the misalignment of your spine by placing pressure on the nerves that have produced pain. The misalignment of your spine is referred to as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: subluxation. Subluxation in chiropractic terms refers to the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spine, which can put pressure on nerves and cause pain. Chiropractors believe that by using manual adjustments, they can correct these subluxations and restore proper alignment, which can alleviate pain and improve overall health. The other choices, B: a sprain, C: a fracture, and D: epicondylitis, do not accurately describe the misalignment of the spine that is being addressed in chiropractic care. Sprain refers to ligament injury, fracture refers to bone breakage, and epicondylitis refers to inflammation of the tendons.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse manager wants his nursing unit to be a place where all nurses want to work, where patient satisfaction is high, and care is innovative and interdisciplinary. Staff are encouraged to chair taskforces to improve quality of care and he counsels staff in areas of measuring patient outcomes. Other managers want to mimic this manager's approach to improve their own units. This nurse is which type of leader?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Transformational. This nurse manager is focused on creating a positive work environment, encouraging innovation, empowering staff, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate followers to achieve high levels of performance by emphasizing shared vision, personal growth, and values. This nurse manager's approach aligns with the characteristics of a transformational leader. Incorrect Choices: B: Transactional leaders focus on rewards, punishments, and exchanges with followers based on performance. This nurse manager's approach goes beyond transactional interactions. C: Laissez-faire leaders are hands-off and provide little guidance or direction. This nurse manager is actively involved in guiding and supporting staff. D: Authoritative leaders make decisions independently and expect followers to follow orders. This nurse manager encourages staff involvement and input in decision-making processes.
Question 3 of 9
Despite the presence of safety aids such as handrails in the bathrooms at an assisted living facility, the number of fractures due to unsteady ambulation upon arising from the bed and when attempting to perform activities of daily living has increased. Which complementary alternative medicine (CAM) would be an effective intervention for this population?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Tai chi is the correct answer because it focuses on improving balance, strength, and flexibility, which are essential for preventing falls in the elderly. Tai chi's slow, controlled movements can help improve stability and reduce the risk of fractures. Summary: A (Yoga) focuses more on flexibility and relaxation, not specifically on balance and stability. B (Acupuncture) is not a physical activity and does not directly address the issue of unsteady ambulation. D (Magnet therapy) lacks scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in improving balance and preventing falls.
Question 4 of 9
A group of nurses meet with a state representative to explain the importance of allowing registered nurses the right to sign death certificates for patients who were under their care. As constituents and nurses, they requested that the senator vote against the bill restricting this practice. These nurses are serving as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: lobbyists. The nurses are acting as lobbyists by advocating for a specific cause (allowing RNs to sign death certificates) to the state representative. They are not policymakers (B) because they are not directly making decisions or creating policies. They are also not officials with regulatory power (C) as they are not in a position to enforce regulations. Lastly, they are not advocating for the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (D) specifically in this scenario.
Question 5 of 9
Although a hospital reversed all charges when a client was the victim of wrong site surgery, the court awarded the client $5 million. The client was able to return to work in 6 weeks and had no permanent damages. This monetary compensation is termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. In this case, the hospital's negligence in performing wrong site surgery resulted in harm to the client, even though the hospital reversed the charges. The court awarded $5 million to punish the hospital for their negligence, as the client suffered emotional distress and the potential risk of harm. The other choices are incorrect because: A: res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine used to shift the burden of proof from the plaintiff to the defendant in cases where the negligence is obvious. C: vicarious liability holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees, which is not directly applicable in this scenario. D: immunity refers to protection from legal liability, which is not relevant in a case where the court awarded monetary compensation.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse practicing on a unit where domestic violence is common wants to learn how to apply nursing theory to practice on this unit. She considers the interrelatedness of the constructs of Watson's Theory of Caring and designs:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: conceptual model of caring. In this scenario, the nurse wants to apply nursing theory to practice in a unit dealing with domestic violence. Watson's Theory of Caring emphasizes the importance of the nurse-patient relationship, which is central when addressing sensitive issues like domestic violence. By considering the interrelatedness of the constructs of this theory, the nurse can develop a conceptual model that guides her practice in providing caring and compassionate care to domestic violence survivors. This model will help her incorporate key elements of caring, such as empathy and respect, into her nursing interventions. Summary: B: Hypothesis of the impact of caring on domestic violence - This choice is incorrect as it focuses on the impact of caring on domestic violence, rather than the application of a nursing theory to practice. C: Proposition of how caring is conceptualized - This choice is incorrect as it only addresses the conceptualization of caring, not the practical application of a nursing theory to practice. D: Theory of scientific
Question 7 of 9
A nurse preparing a resume for the first position is anxious to demonstrate all achievements, which included completing a rigorous accelerated program and maintaining a high GPA while also serving in many community projects and leadership positions. The applicant finds it impossible to include all the accolades on one page and researches tips for professional cover letters and resumes and learns:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because having margins of at least 0.5 inch on all four sides allows for a clear and organized presentation of information. By adhering to this guideline, the resume will appear neat and professional, making it easier for the recruiter to read and comprehend the content. This promotes conciseness by forcing the applicant to prioritize the most relevant achievements and information. The other choices are incorrect because using bright colored paper (B) may come across as unprofessional and distracting. Legal size paper (C) is not recommended as it deviates from the standard letter size and can make it difficult for the recruiter to handle and file the resume. Standardized cover letters (D) may appear generic and fail to highlight the unique qualifications and achievements of the applicant.
Question 8 of 9
Although the NCLEX-RN examination has new formats for questions, the most common format is the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: multiple-choice question item, which allows candidates to select the one correct answer. This is because the multiple-choice format is widely used in the NCLEX-RN examination as it is effective in assessing a candidate's knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to make decisions. The distractors in the answer choices provide clues and test the candidate's ability to differentiate between correct and incorrect information. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: fill-in-the-blank item is not the most common format for NCLEX-RN questions as candidates are indeed provided with clues from distractors in multiple-choice questions. C: multiple-response item, although requiring critical thinking, is not the most common format on the NCLEX-RN exam. D: hot-spot item is not the most common format on the NCLEX-RN exam, and it is not necessarily written at the application level of Bloom's analysis.
Question 9 of 9
A group of RNs wish to seek union representation that would protect all workers in the agency including nonlicensed assistive personnel and non-nursing employees such as nutritionists and dietary workers. The type of union being sought is the strongest collective group and is known as a(n):
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: industrial union. Industrial unions represent all workers in a particular industry regardless of their specific job roles, providing collective bargaining power for a broader group. In this scenario, the RNs seeking union representation aim to include nonlicensed personnel and non-nursing employees, making an industrial union the most appropriate choice. A: Occupational union focuses on specific occupational groups, not as inclusive as industrial unions. C: Union shop refers to a workplace where all employees must join the union after being hired, not related to the scope of representation. D: Right-to-work bargaining organization allows employees to choose whether or not to join the union, not the strongest type of union for collective representation.