As an RN stands in line for the cafeteria cashier, he overhears the staff in front of him talking about a client the RN took care of earlier in the week. The client’s room number is mentioned along with the diagnosis and prognosis. Which of the following actions should the RN take?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Remind the staff members that they are in a public location and sharing this information is a breach of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Rationale: 1. HIPAA protects patients' confidentiality and prohibits the disclosure of personal health information without consent. 2. By reminding the staff members of this breach, the RN upholds ethical standards and protects the client's privacy. 3. Joining the conversation (choice A) would further violate the client's confidentiality. 4. Correcting a statement (choice C) may draw more attention to the conversation, potentially worsening the breach. 5. Ignoring the conversation (choice D) would be neglectful of the RN's duty to protect patient information.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Statutory laws. Nursing practice is primarily governed by statutory laws, which are laws created by legislative bodies. These laws outline the scope of practice, licensure requirements, and regulations for nursing professionals. Common laws (B) are based on court decisions and do not specifically govern nursing practice. Administrative laws (C) regulate administrative agencies and their functions, not nursing practice. Constitutional laws (D) pertain to the constitution and the rights of individuals, not the specific regulations for nursing practice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Benchmarking compares outcomes in a variety of settings and disciplines. Quality management focuses on establishing processes to ensure quality care within a specific setting, while benchmarking involves comparing performance metrics across different settings and disciplines to identify best practices and areas for improvement. Therefore, B is the correct answer as it highlights the key difference between quality management and benchmarking. Incorrect answers: A: Quality management can be useful in any healthcare setting, not limited to outpatient. C: Quality management is applicable across various healthcare settings, not just primary care. D: Benchmarking looks at outcomes in various areas, not just nursing.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Contingency theory. Contingency theory suggests that there is no one best way to organize and manage a healthcare system. It emphasizes that the effectiveness of a healthcare delivery system depends on various factors such as the environment, technology, and organizational structure. This theory acknowledges the complexity of healthcare systems and the need for flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances. A: Open system theory focuses on the system's interaction with its environment, but it does not specifically address the best way to organize and manage a healthcare system. B: Closed system theory suggests that a system is self-contained and not influenced by external factors, which is not suitable for describing healthcare delivery systems. C: Chaos theory emphasizes the unpredictability and complexity of systems, but it does not provide a framework for organizing and managing healthcare systems effectively.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because an elderly client awaiting a hip replacement typically requires ongoing support and coordination of services, making them a good candidate for case management. This client would benefit from assistance with navigating the healthcare system, coordinating appointments, and ensuring continuity of care post-surgery. Choice A is incorrect as the adolescent with a gunshot wound in the ER is likely to be in need of immediate medical intervention rather than case management. Choice B is incorrect as a young adult with a fractured pelvis may require medical treatment but may not necessarily need the level of ongoing support that case management provides. Choice D is incorrect as a 41-year-old client admitted for an outpatient tonsillectomy is a relatively straightforward procedure that may not require extensive case management services.