ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
An RN is counseled by the nurse manager regarding inappropriate delegation when the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because delegating the task of completing a plan of care to a float LPN/LVN for a stable patient is inappropriate. LPNs/LVNs have a different scope of practice compared to RNs and should not be assigned tasks related to developing care plans. This task requires critical thinking skills and assessment that are within the RN's scope of practice. A: A is incorrect because delegating the task of greeting and showing ambulatory surgery patients to their rooms is appropriate for a nursing assistant. B: B is incorrect because delegating the task of collecting a sputum specimen, once trained, is appropriate for a nursing assistant under the supervision of an RN. D: D is incorrect because delegating the task of performing a dressing change to a competent LPN/LVN is appropriate, as long as it falls within their scope of practice.
Question 2 of 9
Managers at an acute care facility value the contributions of their aging nursing workforce and make recommendations to accommodate for an aging nursing workforce. They institute for which changes? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because placing supplies on the nursing unit helps accommodate aging nursing workforce by reducing physical strain from frequent trips to supply rooms. This change supports ergonomic principles and promotes efficiency. Choice B may not directly address the physical challenges of aging nurses. Choice C addresses a different issue unrelated to accommodating aging nurses. Choice D, while important, focuses on one specific aspect of accommodation and may not be as universally beneficial as having supplies readily available.
Question 3 of 9
Care delivery using the team-based approach is used on a telemetry nursing unit. The team consists of one registered nurse (RN), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Staff have been charged to improve quality of care while ensuring cost containment. Which assignments would meet both criteria?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it aligns with improving quality of care and cost containment. LPNs are trained to perform sterile procedures like dressing changes and IV tubing changes, which can enhance patient outcomes. This assignment allows the RN to focus on tasks that require their specialized skills, promoting quality care. Furthermore, utilizing LPNs for these tasks is more cost-effective than having an RN perform them. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Having the RN administer all medications to all patients is not utilizing the team effectively. LPNs and UAPs can handle medication administration under appropriate supervision. C: While experienced UAPs can assist with attaching telemetry electrodes, this task does not fully utilize the skills of the LPNs and RN to improve care quality. D: Administering an enema is within the scope of an LPN's practice, and assigning this task to the RN is not the most efficient use of resources.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse notices that care is often withheld until an interpreter arrives, if the nurse is not multilingual. The nurse discusses this with the management team and suggests a three- part series be presented to the nursing staff to teach some commonly used medical terms in Spanish. This nurse is involved in the role of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: change agent. The nurse is acting as a change agent by identifying a problem (care being withheld until an interpreter arrives) and proposing a solution (teaching common medical terms in Spanish). As a change agent, the nurse is promoting positive change within the organization to improve patient care. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Educator - While the nurse is providing education, the primary role in this scenario is not solely that of an educator. C: Manager - The nurse is not directly managing staff or resources in this scenario. D: Coordinator - The nurse is not primarily coordinating activities or resources in this scenario.
Question 5 of 9
Students are assigned to write to their state leaders about an issue affecting their community. One student writes about the need among rural community for greater access to acute care services. Which of the following pieces of legislation should the student use as a reference?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hill-Burton Act. This legislation established a program to provide federal grants for the construction of hospitals and healthcare facilities in underserved areas. It specifically addressed the need to improve access to healthcare services, aligning with the student's concern about acute care services in rural communities. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Social Security Act primarily focuses on social insurance programs; C: Sheppard-Towner Act focused on maternal and child healthcare; D: U.S. Civil Service Act pertains to regulations for federal employees, none of which directly address the issue of access to acute care services in rural communities.
Question 6 of 9
The use of research to guide nursing practice is called:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilization. Research utilization refers to the application of research findings in nursing practice to improve patient outcomes. Utilization involves integrating research evidence into clinical decision-making. Dissemination (B) refers to sharing research findings. Generalizability (C) pertains to the extent to which research findings can be applied to different populations or settings. Analysis (D) involves examining data to draw conclusions, but it does not specifically relate to using research in practice like utilization does.
Question 7 of 9
When deciding which staffing option to use on a nursing unit that will open soon, the manager realizes that:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Continuity of care is enhanced with longer shifts because nurses have more time to build relationships with patients and understand their needs. Step 2: Working consecutive days per week reduces handoffs, which can lead to errors and miscommunications. Step 3: 12-hour shifts allow nurses to have more days off, reducing burnout and fatigue. Summary: Choice B is incorrect as part-time nurses may not provide consistent care. Choice C is incorrect as staff satisfaction doesn't always translate to patient satisfaction. Choice D is incorrect as the work environment can impact the quality of care provided by nurses.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is reading an abstract about a study related to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The purpose is stated as follows: "To examine the generalizability of two randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to determine whether steroid therapy resulted in the positive outcomes." The nurse knows generalizability refers to the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Generalizability refers to the conclusion that findings from a sample can be applied to the entire population. In this case, the purpose of the study is to determine if the positive outcomes of steroid therapy in two randomized placebo-controlled trials for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be generalized to a broader population of patients with the same condition. Choice B is incorrect because generalizability is not about the type of steroids used but about the applicability of study findings. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to selection bias, not generalizability. Choice D is incorrect as generalizability is about the application of findings, not the universality of bacteria types.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse interested in quality improvement tools performed a search for cause and effect diagrams using www.ishikawa.com. A page opened that provided images and templates for performing fishbone diagrams. Which type of search did the nurse conduct?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Advanced. The nurse conducted an advanced search by specifically looking for cause and effect diagrams on a website dedicated to providing images and templates for fishbone diagrams. This demonstrates a targeted and refined search strategy, indicating a higher level of proficiency in using search tools. The other choices are incorrect because: A) Quick and dirty implies a hasty and superficial search, which was not the case here. C) Brute force suggests an exhaustive and unrefined search method, which was not demonstrated in this scenario. D) Link searching involves following hyperlinks to find information, which was not explicitly stated in the question.