ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
A potential applicant reviews the application process and learns that preemployment physicals often include:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: urine drug screening. Preemployment physicals commonly include urine drug screening to ensure that job applicants are free from illegal substances. This step is crucial for workplace safety and productivity. Cholesterol screening (A) is not typically part of preemployment physicals unless specifically required by the employer. Pregnancy testing (B) is considered discriminatory and is not standard practice. Vision and hearing tests (D) may be included in preemployment physicals, but they are not as common as urine drug screening for ensuring a drug-free workplace.
Question 2 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 3 of 9
A researcher conducts a survey to determine the perceived health status of elderly persons living independently at home. The same subjects participate in a telephone call in which they describe the lived experience of living with chronic illness. When writing up the research study, the nurse would describe using:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: triangulation. Triangulation involves using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings. In this scenario, the nurse is using both survey data and telephone interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the elderly persons' health status. This method enhances the study's credibility and reliability by cross-verifying information. A: A control group is not relevant in this context as it involves comparing an intervention group with a control group to assess the impact of an intervention. C: A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a larger study. It is not the appropriate description for using multiple data sources. D: Secondary data analysis involves analyzing existing data collected by someone else. It is not applicable in this case where the researcher is collecting primary data through surveys and interviews.
Question 4 of 9
Physical therapists are represented by a union, nurses are represented by a separate union, and pharmacists have yet another union within a single agency. This type of union representation is known as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: occupational unionism. This type of union representation categorizes workers based on their occupation or profession rather than industry. In this scenario, physical therapists, nurses, and pharmacists each have their own specialized union based on their specific professions within the single agency. Summary of incorrect choices: B: Industrial unionism refers to unions that represent all workers within a particular industry, regardless of their specific occupation or profession. C: Union shop refers to a workplace where all employees must join the union after a certain period of employment, not the type of union representation described in the question. D: Power sharing is a concept related to governance and decision-making processes, not specific to union representation based on occupation.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is removing a saturated dressing from an abdominal incision and must cut the tape to remove the dressing. The nurse accidentally cuts the sutures holding the incision, and evisceration occurs. In quality improvement, this incident is best identified as a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: sentinel event. A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological harm to a patient. In this scenario, the accidental cutting of sutures leading to evisceration constitutes a serious harm to the patient, making it a sentinel event. This event requires immediate investigation, analysis, and implementation of preventive measures to ensure patient safety. A: Root cause refers to the underlying reason for a problem, not the event itself. C: Variation in performance is related to inconsistencies in processes, not a specific critical incident like evisceration. D: Causal factor is a contributing element to an event, but it does not capture the severity and significance of a sentinel event like evisceration.
Question 6 of 9
A person who is recovering from a stroke is becoming more forgetful and is unable to recall people's names. A friend suggests the use of a natural ingredient, ginkgo bilobThe nurse is concerned about the most serious risk associated with this herb, which is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: thromboembolism due to increased clotting. Ginkgo biloba is known to have a blood-thinning effect, which can increase the risk of thromboembolism, especially for individuals recovering from a stroke. This can lead to potentially life-threatening complications such as blood clots. Choice B: Seizures due to interaction with anticonvulsants is incorrect because ginkgo biloba is not known to significantly interact with anticonvulsants to cause seizures. Choice C: Hypertension due to sodium retention is incorrect because ginkgo biloba is not known to cause sodium retention or lead to hypertension. Choice D: Photosensitivity due to increased melanin production is incorrect because ginkgo biloba is not associated with increased melanin production or photosensitivity reactions.
Question 7 of 9
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) has been practicing for 25 years on a unit where a newly graduated RN with a bachelor's degree is hired. Before the RN arrives on the unit, the LPN is heard saying, "She'll try to tell everyone what to do because she makes more money. She'll sit at the desk and let us do all the work." This is an example of a(n):
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: preconceived idea. This is because the LPN's statement reflects a preconceived notion or bias about the RN based on their education level and salary. The LPN is assuming the RN will act a certain way without any evidence or experience with the RN's behavior. It is important to recognize and challenge our preconceived ideas to avoid unfair judgments. Incorrect answers: A: interpretation - This refers to understanding the meaning of something based on analysis or judgment, which is not present in the scenario. B: context - This refers to the circumstances or setting in which something occurs, but it does not apply to the LPN's biased statement. C: precipitating event - This refers to an event that triggers a particular situation, which is not evident in the scenario.
Question 8 of 9
A hospital standard states, "All intravenous (IV) sites must be rotated every 72 hours." The nurse who assesses and records variations from this standard is fulfilling which role of nursing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Quality management. The nurse assessing and recording variations from the hospital standard of rotating IV sites every 72 hours is fulfilling a quality management role by ensuring adherence to established protocols to maintain patient safety and prevent complications. Quality management involves monitoring and improving healthcare processes to enhance patient outcomes. In this scenario, the nurse's actions contribute to maintaining high standards of care. Summary: A: Infection control focuses on preventing and controlling the spread of infections, not specifically related to monitoring compliance with IV site rotation. C: Coordinator position involves organizing and coordinating care, not directly related to assessing adherence to standards. D: Counselor provides emotional support and counseling to patients, not related to monitoring and maintaining healthcare standards.
Question 9 of 9
Although the use of technology and the Internet provides nursing faculty and students with unlimited resources and current information, an outcome associated with this trend is that:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Users of electronic resources may spend a disproportionate amount of time looking for pertinent content due to the vast amount of information available online. This can lead to inefficiencies and time wasted in searching for relevant resources. Choice B is incorrect because although special skills may not be needed to access information via the Internet, the abundance of information can still lead to time wastage. Choice C is incorrect as immediate results and outcomes expected from students and faculty can actually increase pressure and time constraints, rather than enhancing time management. Choice D is incorrect as while problem-solving and reflective abilities may be developed through using technology and the Internet, the question specifically focuses on the negative outcome of spending excessive time searching for content.