ATI RN
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
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 3 of 9
A nurse is interested in learning more about health policy and how it might impact nursing practice. She is especially interested in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and how it will travel through the three branches of the federal government. She researches the roles of the legislative branch of the federal government and learns that this branch: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the legislative branch determines which laws are constitutional by passing or rejecting proposed legislation. In the case of the PPACA, the legislative branch, specifically the Congress, passed the law. The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the constitutionality of laws (not determine which laws are constitutional), as seen in the case where the PPACA was upheld as a form of taxation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B is incorrect because while the legislative branch appropriates funds, the actual allocation of federal dollars is determined through the budget process, not solely by the legislative branch. C is incorrect because the executive branch, not the legislative branch, consists of the President and executive departments that implement laws like the PPACA. D is incorrect because the legislative branch can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote, not vice versa. The President does not have the power to veto laws found constitutional by the Supreme Court.
Question 4 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 5 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 6 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.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse manager is concerned with restocking the emergency cart, creating the staff schedule, requesting floor stock from pharmacy, and checking the orders on patient charts. Which type of leader accurately describes this nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Transactional. This type of leader focuses on routine tasks, maintaining order, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently. In this scenario, the nurse is primarily concerned with daily operational tasks like restocking supplies and checking orders, which align with transactional leadership. Situational leadership focuses on adapting to different situations, transformational leadership inspires change and innovation, and contemporary leadership encompasses various modern leadership styles.
Question 8 of 9
During the night, a patient fell in the bathroom and sustained a hip injury. The patient was very upset because of being unable to attend a granddaughter's wedding in 2 days. The team looked at the process and determined that the patient had been medicated with a narcotic, had urinary urgency so had not taken the time to put on shoes, failed to turn on the light because the door to the hall let in some light, and stumbled over a towel that had been placed to collect water leaks caused by construction that was in progress to replace damaged sinks. Which factor was a special cause variation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Improper construction that caused the leak and towel placement. This is a special cause variation because it is an external factor outside the patient's control that directly contributed to the incident. The construction causing water leaks and the placement of a towel to collect water created a hazardous environment leading to the fall. The other choices, A, B, and C, are common cause variations as they are related to the patient's behavior or medical condition which could have been managed or controlled within the usual process.
Question 9 of 9
Several novice nurses share lunch breaks and have comments such as, "I have insomnia from worrying about what I forgot to do for my patient," and "I have no energy," and "I can't believe I can't do my job correctly." These novice nurses are each experiencing different symptoms of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. In this scenario, the novice nurses are exhibiting symptoms such as insomnia, lack of energy, and self-doubt, which are commonly associated with burnout. Burnout is specifically related to work-related stressors and can lead to negative feelings about one's job performance. Incorrect choices: B: Low self-esteem - While low self-esteem could be a contributing factor, the symptoms described are more indicative of burnout. C: Lack of confidence - Lack of confidence may be a result of burnout, but it is not the primary issue in this scenario. D: Resilience - Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, but the symptoms described suggest that the nurses are struggling with stress and exhaustion rather than demonstrating resilience.