ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
An interdisciplinary team is evaluating the hospital's care of patients admitted with a myocardial infarction (heart attack) compared to national standards. The team analyzes the hospital's clinical indicator, which would be: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: aspirin order within 24 hours of discharge. This is a key clinical indicator for evaluating care of heart attack patients as aspirin is a standard treatment to prevent further cardiac events. It is crucial for patient safety and adherence to national guidelines. Choice B is incorrect as patient teaching on smoking cessation, although important, is not a direct clinical indicator for evaluating care of heart attack patients. Choice C is incorrect as beta blocker administration upon arrival is important for heart attack patients, but it is not specific to evaluating the hospital's care compared to national standards. Choice D is incorrect as employer support for stress modification is not a clinical indicator relevant to evaluating care of heart attack patients.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse who is responsible for following the patient from admission through discharge or resolution of illness while working with a broad range of health care providers is called a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: case manager. A case manager is responsible for coordinating care for a patient from admission to discharge, collaborating with various healthcare providers. This role involves managing the patient's overall care plan, ensuring continuity and efficiency. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Nurse manager focuses on managing nursing staff and unit operations, not individual patient care. C: Coordinator of patient-centered care delivery may oversee care coordination but does not necessarily follow the patient throughout the entire care journey. D: Team leader in team nursing care delivery is focused on leading a specific nursing team, not managing the patient's entire care process.
Question 3 of 9
A bronze statue of a nurse in battle fatigues who is obviously exhausted but demonstrates caring by holding a soldier's head is an artistic representation of nurses who served in which war?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: World War II. This statue represents the iconic image of a nurse caring for a soldier during WWII. Nurses played a crucial role in providing medical care and support during the war, often under extreme conditions. The exhausted yet caring portrayal of the nurse holding the soldier's head captures the compassion and dedication of nurses during WWII. Explanation for other choices: A: World War I - While nurses also served valiantly in WWI, the imagery of this statue is more closely associated with WWII. C: Spanish-American War - Nurses did serve in this war, but the statue's depiction aligns more with the context of WWII. D: Vietnam War - The statue's portrayal does not align with the historical context or imagery commonly associated with nurses in the Vietnam War.
Question 4 of 9
The novice nurse arrives on the nursing unit, is introduced to the staff, is assigned a preceptor, and is asked to participate in the next staff meeting. This introduction into nursing is appropriately termed:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: socialization. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and adapt to the values, norms, and behaviors of a particular group, in this case, the nursing profession. In this scenario, the novice nurse is being introduced to the staff, assigned a preceptor, and asked to participate in a staff meeting, all of which are key components of the socialization process in nursing. A: Biculturalism refers to the coexistence of two distinct cultures within one society, which is not applicable in this context. C: Transition is the process of changing from one state to another, which is a broader concept than just the introduction to a new profession. D: "Going native" is a colloquial term that refers to adopting the lifestyle or customs of a foreign culture, which is not relevant to the scenario of a novice nurse being introduced to the nursing profession.
Question 5 of 9
The mentor states, "Prevention was the focus of nursing when I graduated. We stressed preventive health measures such as smoking cessation education to reduce preventable diseases and prevention to reduce the spread of infectious disease such as AIDS." The mentor asks, "What do you think the challenges will be for nurses graduating now? The correct response would be: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: The correct answer is A because nurses now face challenges in coordinating care for a more diverse aging population. This is due to the increasing complexity of health issues and values among this demographic. Step 2: As the aging population grows, nurses must be equipped to address the unique needs and preferences of diverse individuals, which requires a deep understanding of cultural, social, and health-related factors. Step 3: Nurses need to adapt their care delivery strategies to provide patient-centered care that considers the individual's values, beliefs, and preferences. This includes coordinating care across different healthcare settings and disciplines to ensure holistic and effective care. Summary: Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific challenges faced by nurses graduating now, which primarily revolve around managing the complexities of caring for a diverse aging population with varying health values.
Question 6 of 9
A family requests that no additional heroic measures be instituted for their terminally ill mother who has advance directives in place. The nurse respects this decision in keeping with the principle of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: autonomy. Autonomy refers to respecting the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the family's request to honor the terminally ill mother's advance directives aligns with the principle of autonomy as it acknowledges her right to make decisions about her own care. Accountability (A) pertains to taking responsibility for one's actions, nonmaleficence (C) involves avoiding harm, and veracity (D) refers to truthfulness. While these principles are important in healthcare, in this specific case, autonomy takes precedence as it respects the patient's wishes.
Question 7 of 9
What is the initial step when addressing an ethically challenging situation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Review the overall situation to identify the core issues. This is the initial step when addressing an ethically challenging situation because it allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation before delving into specific details. By reviewing the overall situation, you can identify the key ethical issues at play and prioritize which aspects need to be addressed first. This step sets the foundation for developing an effective strategy to navigate the ethical dilemma. Incorrect answers: A: Identifying all those involved is important, but it should come after reviewing the situation. C: Gathering facts is necessary, but reviewing the overall situation should precede this step. D: Determining the ethical dilemma is crucial, but it is more effective to first review the entire situation to fully grasp the complexities before pinpointing the ethical issue.
Question 8 of 9
The informed consent documents must include: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because informed consent documents must provide participants with an explanation of potential risks and benefits to ensure they fully understand what they are agreeing to. This helps participants make an informed decision about participating. Option B is incorrect because using medical terminology can actually increase misunderstanding; lay terms are recommended. Option C is incorrect as it is essential to include a statement on protecting anonymity and confidentiality to ensure participant privacy. Option D is incorrect as explaining the cost of the study is not a necessary component of informed consent.
Question 9 of 9
An RN delegates to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the task of performing blood pressure checks for a group of patients on a nursing unit. The UAP accepts the task and is responsible for:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because keeping the RN informed of any abnormal blood pressure readings is an essential part of the UAP's responsibility. This ensures that the RN is aware of any potential issues with the patients' health and can intervene if necessary. It is important for the UAP to communicate such vital information promptly to the RN, who has the clinical expertise to assess the situation and make appropriate decisions. Choice A is incorrect because the UAP should not delegate tasks to another UAP without prior authorization from the RN. Choice C is incorrect because calling the physician directly is beyond the scope of practice for a UAP. Choice D is incorrect because initiating a low-sodium diet for hypertensive patients is a clinical decision that should be made by the RN or physician, not the UAP.