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
When reviewing the literature on the effects of Medicaid on health care for the poor, the nurse researcher found that the poor:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because lacking consistent providers is a common issue among the poor utilizing Medicaid. This impacts continuity of care, leading to fragmented health services and poor health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect as Medicaid does provide some level of access to healthcare. Choice B is incorrect as unnecessary treatments are not a common issue among the poor on Medicaid. Choice D is incorrect as preventive services are underutilized rather than abused by the poor on Medicaid.
Question 3 of 9
A comparison of nursing in the 1980s to nursing in the 1990s reveals that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it accurately reflects the shift in focus from tuberculosis in the 1980s to the emergence of the AIDS epidemic in the 1990s in the field of nursing. Tuberculosis was a major concern in the 1980s, and the AIDS epidemic became a primary focus in the 1990s. Choice A is incorrect because it discusses preventable diseases caused by unsafe lifestyles, which is not directly related to the comparison of nursing between the two decades. Choice C is incorrect because it mentions a decrease in ambulatory services in the 1980s leading to an increase in public health nurses in the 1990s, which is not supported by the historical context of nursing during those decades. Choice D is incorrect because it suggests that the demand for advanced practice nurses increased in both the 1980s and the 1990s due to economic reasons and national health concerns, which is not specifically relevant to the comparison between nursing in the two decades.
Question 4 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 5 of 9
The first field of nursing to certify advanced practitioners was the field of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: nurse-midwifery. Nurse-midwifery was the first field of nursing to certify advanced practitioners, starting in the 1920s. Nurse-midwives provide prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care to women. Other choices are incorrect because adult nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthesia programs were established after nurse-midwifery certification.
Question 6 of 9
A qualitative researcher reviews data collected with a grief support group to develop a theory of how widows and widowers mourn. The researcher is using which qualitative research design?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounded theory is the correct answer because it involves developing a theory based on analyzing data collected from participants. In this case, the researcher is reviewing data from a grief support group to identify patterns and themes, ultimately leading to the development of a theory on how widows and widowers mourn. Phenomenology focuses on understanding individuals' lived experiences, not developing theories. Case study involves an in-depth analysis of a single case, not suitable for developing a theory. Hypothesis generation is part of quantitative research, not qualitative research design.
Question 7 of 9
The disaster medical assistance team works quickly to contain contaminants from a chemical plant explosion. Afterward, personnel undergo a special process to remove harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies. This removal process is known as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: decontamination. Decontamination is the process of removing harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies to prevent further exposure and contamination. In this scenario, the disaster medical assistance team is working to contain contaminants first and then proceed with decontamination to ensure the safety of personnel. Containment (choice A) refers to preventing the spread of contaminants, not removing them. Triage (choice C) is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries, not removing chemicals. Scene assessment (choice D) involves evaluating the situation to determine the extent of the disaster, not the removal of harmful chemicals.
Question 8 of 9
Which statement related to delegation is correct?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the RN must have knowledge of laws and regulations governing nursing practice, including those that have unclear boundaries for UAP. This is crucial to ensure safe and effective delegation. Option A is incorrect because the nurse practice act typically does not define UAP roles. Option B is incorrect as delegation also requires assessing competency, not just training. Option C is incorrect as supervision is necessary regardless of the task's routine nature. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of legal knowledge for proper delegation.
Question 9 of 9
An experienced nurse volunteers to serve on a task force intended to improve the quality of care because she possesses excellent patient care skills and has selected a career goal of working in quality management. However, the nurse is unable to concentrate on any one task or issue and is unable to view the health care milieu sensibly. Which source of energy is missing in this nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mental. The nurse's inability to concentrate and view the healthcare milieu sensibly indicates a lack of mental energy. Mental energy is crucial for focus, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills necessary for quality management. Physical energy (A) is related to physical stamina, spiritual energy (C) to inner peace and purpose, and emotional energy (D) to emotional resilience. However, in this case, the nurse's issue is primarily cognitive, highlighting the absence of mental energy.