ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
An RN is consistently late to work, causing reassignment of patient care and the need for repeated shift reports. The nurse, who receives a warning for repeated tardiness, states, "My husband left me, I have no car, no family close by, and the bus is always late, which makes me late. The nurse manager doesn't care how hard I try to get here, and I am raising a child by myself." The nurse is using which type of logical fallacy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Appeal to emotion. The nurse is trying to justify their repeated tardiness by appealing to the emotions of the nurse manager, by invoking pity and sympathy. This type of logical fallacy involves using emotional manipulation to distract from the real issue of consistently being late to work. The nurse's personal circumstances are valid but do not excuse the behavior. Summary of other choices: B: Appeal to tradition - This fallacy involves justifying a belief or action based on the fact that it has been done that way in the past. This is not evident in the nurse's response. C: Hasty generalization - Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence. The nurse's explanation is specific to their own situation and not a broad generalization. D: Confusing cause and effect - Mistaking the cause of a situation for the effect or vice versa. The nurse is trying to use their personal circumstances as the cause of being consistently late, rather than taking responsibility for their actions.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse wants to apply open communication to obtain a thorough history and to determine cognitive function. Which question represents the use of open communication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it encourages the patient to provide detailed information and express themselves freely. By asking the patient to "Tell me what day of the week today is," the nurse is prompting an open-ended response, allowing the patient to share their understanding. Choice A is closed-ended, requiring a simple yes/no answer. Choice B is slightly better as it prompts for information, but it is still closed-ended. Choice D is irrelevant to the question of determining cognitive function and history. In summary, C promotes open communication by encouraging the patient to elaborate, while the other choices limit the patient's response.
Question 3 of 5
The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who is about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the registered nurse (RN). This task requires clinical judgment and critical thinking skills, which are within the scope of practice of an RN. The RN is trained to assess the patient comprehensively, identify potential risks, and communicate effectively with other healthcare team members. LPNs/LVNs may not have the same level of assessment skills as RNs. UAPs do not have the clinical knowledge or skills required for this task. Option D is incorrect as completing and signing the initial assessment requires active patient assessment, which is a dynamic process and not just about past information.
Question 4 of 5
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 5 of 5
An RN delegates to an experienced LPN/LVN the task of administering oral medications to a group of patients. The LPN/LVN accepts the assignment, and the RN knows that the LPN/LVN has had the training and has acquired the skills needed to complete the task. The RN then observes the LPN/LVN recording a patient's medication administration just before entering the patient's room. The priority intervention by the RN is to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: stop the LPN/LVN immediately and discuss the possible consequences of his actions in a nonjudgmental manner. This is the priority intervention because it addresses the immediate issue of potentially incorrect documentation and allows for clarity and understanding between the RN and LPN/LVN. It promotes open communication and a chance to correct any errors that may have occurred. Choice A is incorrect because checking the drug packages after the fact does not address the issue of potentially incorrect documentation and missed medications. Choice C is incorrect as it is an extreme response that does not promote a collaborative and educational approach to resolving the situation. Choice D is incorrect as calling the pharmacy for replacement medications is not necessary at this stage and does not address the immediate concern of potentially incorrect documentation.