An experienced nurse working in oncology is shocked to realize that he feels little empathy when a patient explains, "I developed cancer from having to work in the dry cleaning industry since I was only 8 years old to help support my younger siblings during the depression. Now they have all moved away and refuse to help me financially, and it takes everything I have to pay for my chemotherapy medicine." The nurse is experiencing:

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Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions

Question 1 of 9

An experienced nurse working in oncology is shocked to realize that he feels little empathy when a patient explains, "I developed cancer from having to work in the dry cleaning industry since I was only 8 years old to help support my younger siblings during the depression. Now they have all moved away and refuse to help me financially, and it takes everything I have to pay for my chemotherapy medicine." The nurse is experiencing:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue refers to the emotional and physical exhaustion that healthcare providers may experience from caring for patients in distressing situations over a prolonged period. In this scenario, the nurse's lack of empathy despite the patient's heart-wrenching story indicates emotional exhaustion and desensitization, which are common symptoms of compassion fatigue. This nurse has likely become overwhelmed by the emotional toll of consistently supporting patients facing difficult circumstances, leading to a diminished capacity for empathy. Incorrect choices: A: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. While the nurse may be experiencing emotional exhaustion, the specific lack of empathy in response to the patient's situation aligns more closely with compassion fatigue. C: Reality shock typically refers to the discrepancy between the expectations of a new role and the actual experiences encountered. This term does not accurately describe the nurse's emotional response to the patient's situation. D: Horizontal hostility refers to negative

Question 2 of 9

Which type of theory most often guides present nursing practice?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Middle range theory. Middle range theories are more specific and applicable to everyday nursing practice compared to grand theories, which are broad and abstract. Developmental theory focuses on human growth and behavior, not specifically nursing practice. Values theory pertains to ethical values and principles, but may not directly guide nursing practice. Therefore, middle range theory is most commonly used in present nursing practice for its practical and relevant applications.

Question 3 of 9

A primary function of the budgeting process is to provide managers with an opportunity to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the primary function of the budgeting process is to discuss concerns about resource allocation with leaders capable of resolving issues. This allows managers to make informed decisions on how to allocate resources effectively. Choice A is incorrect as the budgeting process is not primarily about insisting on specific salary increases. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on changing budgeting methods rather than the purpose of budgeting itself. Choice D is incorrect as developing an educational program is not the primary purpose of the budgeting process.

Question 4 of 9

The nursing executive team met to review last year's productivity metric to strategize for the upcoming year's metric. The team wants to be certain the productivity metric shows productivity was:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: balanced. In a professional setting, a balanced productivity metric indicates that productivity was at an optimal level, not too high or too low. This implies that the team wants to ensure that productivity was neither excessively high nor low, but rather appropriately managed. Option A (high) and B (low) are incorrect as they represent extreme ends of the spectrum, which may not accurately reflect the desired productivity level. Option D (iterative) is incorrect because it refers to a process of repetition and refinement, which is not directly related to the level of productivity achieved. Therefore, the most suitable choice in this context is C: balanced, as it aligns with the team's goal of maintaining an optimal level of productivity.

Question 5 of 9

A nursing unit's census consists primarily of long-term residents with a high risk for falls. To meet new safety regulations, the nurse manager must plan to replace all 50 patient beds with new beds equipped with Fall Watch electronic sensors that will detect when patients get out of bed. The manager will be involved in which type of budgeting to replace the beds?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Capital budgeting. Capital budgeting involves planning and managing significant expenditures for long-term assets like equipment and facilities. In this scenario, replacing all 50 patient beds with new beds equipped with Fall Watch electronic sensors is a major investment in a long-term asset. The nurse manager is making a strategic decision that will impact the nursing unit's operations for an extended period. Summary: A: Fiscal budgeting focuses on revenues and expenses for a specific period, not long-term asset investments. B: Labor budgeting pertains to planning and managing labor costs, not capital investments. C: Operational budgeting involves day-to-day expenses and activities, not major capital expenditures like replacing all patient beds.

Question 6 of 9

A hospital recently learned that their scorecard did not meet the national benchmark for patient satisfaction and brought in a professional change agent to determine what their issues were and how they could improve their score. The agent collected data and recommended that nurses participate in interdisciplinary walking rounds and allow the patient and family to be participants. Nurses now round every shift and perform "huddles to update the team" as needed throughout the shift as part of best practices. Random visits are made to nursing units to ensure all nurses are participating and patients are interviewed for their involvement. This stage of Lewin's change is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: moving. In Lewin's change management model, the process involves three stages: unfreeze, move, and refreeze. In this scenario, the hospital has already identified the need for change (unfreeze) by recognizing the issue with patient satisfaction scores. The change agent's recommendations and the implementation of interdisciplinary walking rounds and involving patients and families in rounds indicate the active phase of making changes and transitioning to new practices (moving). The actions taken, such as rounding every shift, updating the team through huddles, monitoring nurse participation, and interviewing patients, all demonstrate movement towards the desired change. Refreeze would come after the changes have been successfully implemented to stabilize and institutionalize the new practices. The options A (unfreeze) and C (refreeze) are incorrect as the hospital is currently in the implementation phase of change, and option D (resistance) does not apply as there is no indication of significant resistance to the proposed changes in the scenario provided.

Question 7 of 9

A patient is admitted with coronary artery disease and is scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). According to the clinical pathway the patient should be extubated and discharged from critical care the day after surgery. During surgery the patient's oxygen saturation decreased drastically as a result of chronic tobacco abuse. Subsequently, the patient remained on the ventilator an additional 2 days postoperatively. According to the clinical practice guideline for CABG, this situation represents a:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: variance. In this scenario, the patient's extended time on the ventilator deviates from the expected clinical pathway of extubation and discharge the day after surgery. Variances are deviations from established protocols or guidelines. This situation highlights a deviation from the standard practice and requires further evaluation to understand the reasons for the delay in extubation. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Patient outcome refers to the result of care received by the patient, not the deviation from the expected process. C: Goal represents the desired outcome or target to achieve, not the deviation from the pathway. D: Standard is the established protocol or guideline to follow, not the deviation from it.

Question 8 of 9

A nurse who is applying for a position contacts an expert on writing résumés and cover letters and is told:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because being concise and limiting the resume to a single page is important in grabbing the attention of potential employers and ensuring that the most relevant information is highlighted. It shows professionalism and respect for the employer's time. Option A is incorrect as correction fluid may make the resume look messy. Option B is incorrect as using a single line to cross through an error and inserting initials is not standard practice in resume writing. Option C is incorrect as limiting margins to one half inch can make the resume look cluttered and difficult to read.

Question 9 of 9

A clinical nurse leader (CNL) enters the workforce and hopes to use her interdisciplinary skills to participate on a quality improvement committee. The coordinator of the quality group invites the CNL to join the group. Which type of power is demonstrated by the coordinator of the group?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Legitimate. The coordinator's power is based on their legitimate authority to invite individuals to join the quality improvement committee. Legitimate power is derived from one's position or role within an organization, giving them the right to make decisions and direct activities. In this scenario, the coordinator's invitation is based on their legitimate authority as the leader of the quality group. Choice A: Coercive power involves the use of threats or punishment to influence others, which is not evident in the scenario. Choice B: Transformational power focuses on inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal, which is not explicitly demonstrated in the scenario. Choice C: Laissez-faire power involves a hands-off approach to leadership, allowing individuals to make their own decisions without much guidance, which is not applicable in this scenario.

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