A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to:

Questions 113

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ATI RN Test Bank

Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions

Question 1 of 9

A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks. UAP and LPN/LVNs are crucial in supporting the RN by carrying out tasks within their scope of practice under the RN's supervision. This is essential to ensure efficient patient care delivery and allow the RN to focus on more complex nursing assessments and interventions. A: Supplementing the staffing pattern when an RN is not available is incorrect because UAP and LPN/LVNs work alongside RNs, not as substitutes for them. C: Replacing the RN in long-term care settings is incorrect as UAP and LPN/LVNs provide valuable assistance but do not replace the RN's role. D: Providing patient teaching to allow more direct care by the RN is incorrect as UAP and LPN/LVNs focus on task-based care rather than patient education, which is typically within the RN's scope of practice.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse works on a unit where electronic health records (EHR) are being initiated and asks, "What is meant by 'meaningful use' standards that are in our education packet?" The best answer is that "meaningful use":

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because "meaningful use" standards in EHR refer to specific criteria that healthcare providers must meet to receive incentives for using EHR effectively. This includes improving quality, safety, efficiency, and reducing health disparities. By meeting these benchmarks, providers can qualify for funds from Medicare. Choice B is incorrect because "meaningful use" is not just about training competencies but about how EHR systems are used to improve patient care. Choice C is incorrect as it misinterprets the concept of meaningful use. It is not about a specific percentage of patients with data entered, but about the overall impact of EHR on healthcare delivery. Choice D is incorrect because while confidentiality and security are important aspects of EHR, they are not the sole focus of meaningful use standards.

Question 3 of 9

A pregnant woman reports back pain and wants to try a complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The nurse knows that which CAM would be contraindicated?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Magnet therapy. Magnet therapy is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the risk of unknown effects on the fetus. Magnets may interfere with the body's natural magnetic fields, potentially causing harm to the developing baby. Aromatherapy (B), imagery (C), and therapeutic touch (D) are generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by trained professionals and with appropriate precautions. Aromatherapy uses essential oils, imagery involves mental visualization techniques, and therapeutic touch uses energy-based techniques that do not pose significant risks to the pregnant woman or the fetus.

Question 4 of 9

The nurse is demonstrating active listening when:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because maintaining eye contact while focusing on the patient's description of pain level and location demonstrates active listening. This non-verbal communication shows empathy and attentiveness to the patient's concerns. Choice A focuses on providing information rather than actively listening. Choice C involves personalizing the situation rather than focusing on the patient's needs. Choice D involves agreeing with the patient's decision rather than actively listening to understand their perspective.

Question 5 of 9

In February 2010, Congress passed legislation to support universal health care for all Americans. At a local health fair, an individual asks about the difference between universal health care and a single payer system. The nurse explains the difference is that:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in a universal health care system, one universal payer (often the government) is responsible for covering all health care expenses for all citizens. This means that everyone, regardless of income or eligibility, is covered under the same system. Choice B is incorrect because a single-payer system does not necessarily limit health care access based on income; it simply means there is one entity responsible for paying health care costs. Choice C is incorrect because single-payer systems do not rely on insurance companies to pay fees; instead, the single payer itself covers the costs directly. Choice D is incorrect because it does not specify that the one payer in a universal health care system is usually the government, which is a key distinction in this context.

Question 6 of 9

A public health nurse is interested in determining which educational programs are needed in the aggregates served. The researcher personally interviews individuals who are walking on the streets in the community. This type of research design is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: survey. In this scenario, the nurse is conducting personal interviews with individuals to gather information about educational program needs. Surveys involve collecting data from a sample of individuals through questioning, making it suitable for this situation. A: Quasi-experimental designs involve manipulation of variables and comparison of groups, which is not evident in this scenario. C: Case studies focus on in-depth analysis of a single case or a small group, not the entire community as in this case. D: Ethnography involves studying a group's culture and behavior over an extended period, which is not the main focus of the nurse's research.

Question 7 of 9

The practice of public health nursing and the Henry Street Settlement are credited to:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lillian Wald. Lillian Wald is credited with founding the Henry Street Settlement in New York City in 1893, which pioneered the practice of public health nursing in the United States. She emphasized the importance of providing healthcare services to underserved populations in their own communities. Mary Breckenridge, known for establishing the Frontier Nursing Service, is not associated with the Henry Street Settlement. Mary Seacole was a British-Jamaican nurse known for her work during the Crimean War, not for public health nursing in the US. Clara Barton is known for founding the American Red Cross, not the Henry Street Settlement. Therefore, the correct answer is D, Lillian Wald.

Question 8 of 9

What uniquely twenty-first century issue challenges today's professional nurse. (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Caring for an aging population. This is a uniquely twenty-first-century issue as advancements in healthcare have increased life expectancy, leading to a larger elderly population with complex healthcare needs. Nurses must adapt their skills and knowledge to provide specialized care for this demographic. B: Increased patient acuity is a common challenge but not unique to the twenty-first century. Nurses have always dealt with varying levels of patient acuity. C: Access to health care services is an ongoing issue that has been prevalent for many years, not specifically unique to the twenty-first century. D: Expanding technology is also a significant challenge for nurses in the modern era, but it is not uniquely a twenty-first-century issue as technology has been advancing for decades.

Question 9 of 9

The RN instructs the LPN to "Give an enema to the patient in room 327 who is being discharged but is complaining of being constipated. Then be sure to document on the medication administration record when given." Which of the five rights was missing in this situation? The right of:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: direction and communication. The RN failed to provide clear direction to the LPN regarding the specific type of enema to be administered and the amount. Furthermore, there was a lack of communication regarding the patient's current condition and the rationale for the enema. The other choices are incorrect because: B: task - The task of administering the enema was clearly communicated. C: person - The patient was identified by room number, so the person was specified. D: circumstances - While the circumstances of the patient's complaint were mentioned, the specific details related to the enema administration were lacking.

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