ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
A person from an underrepresented background in nursing is interested in entering nursing school and researches the ethnicity, age, and gender make-up of the nursing profession and finds:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer (C): 1. The correct answer is C because the majority of registered nurses (RNs) in the US are indeed white or non-Hispanic according to statistical data. 2. This information is important for the person from an underrepresented background to understand the current demographic makeup of the nursing profession. 3. By knowing that the majority of RNs are white or non-Hispanic, the individual can better assess the existing diversity within the profession. 4. Understanding the demographics can help the individual navigate potential challenges related to representation and cultural competence. 5. It is crucial for the person to have accurate information to make informed decisions about pursuing a career in nursing. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Nursing is not primarily made up of women younger than 30 years. B: The number of male RNs has not equalized with the number of female RNs. D: More than half of all RNs are not ages 55 through
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is preparing an exercise program as part of a health promotion program for older adults with osteoporosis. Which question would retrieve the most valuable information about health practices?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it specifically asks about the exercise practices the older adults participate in, providing detailed information on their current exercise routines. This question is valuable as it helps the nurse understand the type, intensity, and frequency of exercises being performed by the individuals with osteoporosis. Choice A is too broad and doesn't focus on specific exercise practices. Choice B is about personal preferences rather than actual exercise practices. Choice C focuses on the timing of exercise but does not delve into the types of exercises being performed. Thus, D is the most valuable question for gathering pertinent information regarding the exercise practices of older adults with osteoporosis.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is caring for a recent Asian immigrant client and is overheard making the following comment, "These rituals you believe in are false. You live in America now and must believe in realistic health practices, like Americans do." The nurse is exhibiting:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: ethnocentrism. This is because the nurse is judging the client's cultural beliefs as inferior to American practices, implying that American ways are the only correct ones. Ethnocentrism involves viewing one's own culture as superior to others. A: Stereotyping is not the correct answer because the nurse is not making a generalization about a group based on limited information. C: Cultural accommodation is not the correct answer because the nurse is not demonstrating an understanding or acceptance of the client's cultural practices. D: Empathy is not the correct answer because the nurse is not showing understanding or compassion towards the client's cultural beliefs.
Question 4 of 9
A member of a nursing students study group comments, "I wish our instructor would just tell us the important information that we will be tested on in our course and on NCLEX®. Instead, we spend some time early in the class discussing key facts then the most of the time working through case studies, then practicing on the simulator rather than caring for 'real' patients." This teaching-learning style represents:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: practice-based competency. This teaching-learning style focuses on developing practical skills and competencies through hands-on experiences such as case studies and simulator practice. This approach is more effective in preparing nursing students for real-world scenarios and NCLEX® exams compared to just memorizing basic facts (choice A). Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) (choice B) involve structured assessments of clinical skills and are not the primary focus of the teaching style described. Peer-to-peer learning (choice C) emphasizes collaborative learning among students, which may be a component of the teaching style but not the central focus. Practice-based competency (choice D) aligns best with the emphasis on practical application and skill development described in the scenario.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse executive is concerned that the mortality rate in his or her hospital exceeds the national average and searches the literature finding Aiken's 2011 Survey on the effects of nurse staffing and education on mortality, including work environment. If Aiken's recommendations are followed, which change would be most effective?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increasing staffing ratios to include more nurses of all levels of educational preparation on all shifts. Aiken's survey emphasized the importance of adequate nurse staffing in improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates. By increasing staffing ratios with nurses of all educational levels, the hospital can ensure better patient care, effective coordination, and timely interventions. This approach addresses the key factors highlighted in Aiken's survey - nurse staffing and education. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the issue of nurse staffing, which was the primary focus of Aiken's survey. Employing bachelor's prepared nurses participating in interprofessional rounds (B) may improve communication but does not solely address the staffing concerns. Ensuring nurse managers have a master's degree (C) may improve leadership but does not directly impact frontline staffing. Encouraging unlicensed assistive personnel to attend educational programs (D) may enhance skills but does not address the need for more nurses in the staffing ratios
Question 6 of 9
Accrediting agencies such as The Joint Commission address staffing by:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because accrediting agencies like The Joint Commission focus on ensuring patients receive satisfactory care through evidence-based practices. They evaluate the quality of care provided rather than specific staffing levels or ratios. Imposing maximum staffing levels (A) can be restrictive and may not account for varying patient needs. Requiring a specific staff mix (B) may not always be feasible or reflective of best practices. Stipulating nurse-patient ratios (C) can be important but may not address the overall quality of care provided to patients. In summary, option D is correct as accrediting agencies prioritize evidence of satisfactory care delivery over rigid staffing requirements.
Question 7 of 9
When delegating care, the RN assigns one nurse to care for a patient with shingles and a different nurse to care for a patient with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This represents which category of nursing care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Safe and effective care environment. The rationale is that assigning different nurses to care for a patient with shingles and a patient with HIV/AIDS is an example of maintaining infection control and preventing the spread of communicable diseases. This falls under the category of safe and effective care environment because it ensures proper isolation precautions are followed to protect both patients and healthcare workers. Summary: - Option A is correct because it relates to infection control and maintaining a safe care environment. - Option B, health promotion and maintenance, is not relevant to the scenario described. - Option C, psychosocial integrity, does not address the primary concern of preventing the spread of infection. - Option D, teaching/learning, is not the focus of the scenario, which is more about infection control and safety.
Question 8 of 9
Throughout the history of health care in our nation, one particular piece of federal legislation provided funds for hospital construction. As the number of hospitals rapidly increased, the need for nurses to staff hospitals also increased, and the shift from community-based nursing care to hospital-based nursing care began. This fundamental piece of legislation was the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hill-Burton Act. The Hill-Burton Act, passed in 1946, provided federal funds for hospital construction, leading to a significant increase in the number of hospitals. This increase in hospital facilities created a higher demand for nurses to staff them, thereby initiating the shift from community-based nursing care to hospital-based care. The Sheppard-Towner Act (A) focused on maternal and child health programs, not hospital construction. The Veterans Bill (C) primarily addresses healthcare benefits for veterans. The Access to Health Care Bill (D) is a generic term and does not refer to a specific piece of legislation related to hospital construction or nursing staffing.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is part of the policy committee for a hospital. The committee is provided with statistics indicating that patients participating in a satisfaction survey felt they lacked sufficient information about new drugs started while hospitalized and continued after discharge. In addition, charts noted high recidivism rates. The committee recommended that a formalized patient education plan be instituted to reconcile all medications and provide patient information about new medications. The committee is using which component of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011 message?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Policy is based on data, which provides the groundwork for decision making. This is the correct answer because the scenario describes the policy committee using statistics about patient satisfaction and recidivism rates to make recommendations for a patient education plan. By utilizing data, the committee is following the IOM 2011 message of basing decisions on evidence and information. A: Nurses achieving higher levels of education is not directly related to the scenario and the committee's decision-making process. B: The requirement of a master's degree for nurses on policy committees is not mentioned in the scenario and is not relevant to the decision-making process described. C: Comparing nurse pay to physicians' pay is not relevant to the scenario or the IOM 2011 message of using data for decision making.