ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Hospitals surveyed nurses who terminated their employment to determine why they chose to leave. One of the most common reasons for leaving was:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: that the nurse/patient ratio prevents safe care. This answer is correct because inadequate nurse/patient ratios have been consistently identified as a major factor contributing to nurse dissatisfaction and burnout. When nurses are responsible for too many patients, they are unable to provide safe and effective care, leading to increased stress and job dissatisfaction. Explanation of other choices: A: Decreased pay for alternative shifts: While decreased pay may be a concern for some nurses, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for leaving a position. C: Most facilities are choosing an all-RN staff, which decreases opportunities for advancement: While this may be a concern for some nurses, it is not as universally impactful as unsafe nurse/patient ratios. D: Agency and foreign nurses are favored by administration over full-time nursing staff: While favoritism may be an issue in some cases, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for nurses leaving their employment.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse managers of an organization are meeting with administration to plan the budget. The above graph shows last year's 2011 expenditures, and the team will trend the upcoming budget knowing that, with the slowdown in the economy, patient census will be lower. Which budget approach is being used?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Zero-based. Zero-based budgeting requires starting from scratch each budget cycle, meaning all expenses must be justified regardless of previous budgets. In this scenario, the nurse managers are planning for a budget based on the expectation of lower patient census due to the economic slowdown. This aligns with the zero-based approach as they will need to re-evaluate and justify all expenses to accommodate the changes in patient volume. A: Incremental budgeting involves making adjustments to the previous budget, which is not suitable for significant changes like a decrease in patient census. C: Productivity metrics focus on measuring efficiency and performance, rather than the budgeting approach. D: Capital budgeting is related to long-term investments in assets, which is not the primary focus in this scenario.
Question 3 of 9
An RN makes the following assignments at the beginning of the shift. Which assignment would be considered high-risk delegation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it involves a high-risk delegation. Mixing insulin is a complex task that requires precise measurements and understanding of the patient's condition. A novice RN may lack the experience and knowledge to safely perform this task, leading to potential harm for the patient. Choice B involves wound care, which is within an LPN's scope of practice and not as high-risk as insulin administration. Choice C involves basic ambulation assistance, which is appropriate for an unlicensed assistive person under supervision. Choice D involves caring for a patient with low white blood cell count, which may be challenging but not as high-risk as insulin mixing for a novice RN.
Question 4 of 9
A student nurse assigned to work with the charge nurse is given the opportunity to help revise the nursing assessment form. She receives several compliments from management and her nursing instructor for her creative suggestions. The student nurse enjoys the project and attention she is receiving and begins to prolong the conclusion of the project. Although she constantly adds new information, she filters this out slowly to others. The student nurse is subject to the time management obstacle of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: fear of completion. This is because the student nurse is prolonging the conclusion of the project despite constantly adding new information and filtering it out slowly to others. This behavior indicates a reluctance to finish the project, likely due to a fear of moving on to the next stage or fear of evaluation. The student nurse is enjoying the attention and positive feedback, leading to a delay in completing the task. A: The need for perfection is not the primary obstacle in this scenario as the student nurse is not necessarily striving for perfection but rather avoiding completion. B: Fear of losing creativity is not the main issue here as the student nurse is still adding new information, indicating creativity is not the concern. C: Unclear goals do not seem to be the obstacle as the student nurse is actively engaged in the project and receiving positive feedback.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
A certified oncology nurse notices that a novice nurse is unsure of decision making and lacks technical skills. The novice nurse gains confidence by sharing and learning with the experienced nurse. This relationship continues and builds, allowing the novice nurse to become more confident. This relationship is known as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: mentoring. Mentoring involves an experienced individual guiding and supporting a less experienced individual to help them develop skills, confidence, and knowledge. In this scenario, the certified oncology nurse is providing guidance and support to the novice nurse, helping them gain confidence and improve decision-making and technical skills. Mentoring fosters a personalized and supportive relationship that allows for growth and development. Summary of other choices: B: Role modeling involves observing and emulating behaviors of others, but it does not necessarily involve the direct guidance and support seen in mentoring. C: Preceptorship typically refers to a structured program where a more experienced individual (preceptor) guides a less experienced individual (preceptee) for a specific period, which is more formalized than the relationship described in the scenario. D: Socialization refers to the process of adapting to the norms and values of a group or society, which is not directly related to the mentorship relationship described in the scenario.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
If a nurse applies Nightingale's theory to current practice, the nurse's first step will be to evaluate the hospital room's air quality and, second, to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because Nightingale's theory emphasizes the importance of a clean and well-ventilated environment for patient healing. By arranging for the client to go outside and keeping the room's window blinds open, the nurse is ensuring proper ventilation and exposure to natural light, which can promote healing. This step aligns with Nightingale's focus on the physical environment's impact on health outcomes. A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly address the fundamental principle of Nightingale's theory related to environmental factors. Checking the TV volume, consulting a dietitian, or bringing personal items like family photographs do not directly contribute to creating a healing environment based on Nightingale's theory.
Question 9 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.