ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
In recent Gallop Polls, nurses were voted as the most honest with the highest ethical standards of all professions. How does this degree of professionalism affect nurses' desire to participate in organized strikes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because nurses being voted as the most honest and ethical profession indicates their strong commitment to patient care and ethics. Therefore, nurses may find participating in strikes conflicting with their core values of serving and protecting patients. This conflict can deter nurses from engaging in union activities like strikes, as they prioritize patient well-being over their own interests. A is incorrect because while nurses prioritize client safety, participating in strikes may not always align with this goal. B is incorrect as evidence-based studies may support various perspectives, but nurses' ethical standards and commitment to patient care are the primary factors influencing their decision to engage in strikes. D is incorrect as legal repercussions for striking nurses focus on professional misconduct rather than the ethical dilemma nurses face when considering strikes.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse gives Dilantin intravenously with lactated Ringer's solution containing multivitamins. The drug precipitates and obstructs the only existing line. When the team leader informs the nurse that these drugs cannot be mixed, the nurse states, "Everyone just pushes the medicine slowly. No one checks for compatibility. There isn't even a compatibility chart on the unit." Which type of logical fallacy has influenced the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Appeal to common practice. The nurse's argument that "everyone just pushes the medicine slowly" and that "no one checks for compatibility" is based on the common practice in the unit rather than on scientific evidence or guidelines. This logical fallacy assumes that just because something is commonly done, it must be correct. In this case, the nurse is disregarding the importance of checking drug compatibility and following proper protocols. Incorrect choices: A: Ad hominem abusive - This choice involves attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself, which is not evident in the scenario. C: Appeal to emotion - This choice would involve using emotions to manipulate the audience rather than relying on logic or evidence, which is not the case in the scenario. D: Appeal to tradition - This choice would involve arguing that something is right or good because it has been done that way for a long time, which is not explicitly stated in the scenario.
Question 3 of 5
Three illegal immigrants with no health insurance or money sustained life-threatening injuries during an automobile accident. Two of these individuals had head trauma and lacerated internal organs. The decision was made to provide extended care in the trauma center after emergency surgery was performed to save their lives. The third individual received only minor injuries, which were treated in the emergency department. The care of the two critical clients was based on the ethical principle of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that focuses on maximizing overall well-being and minimizing harm. In this scenario, the decision to provide extended care to the two critical individuals with life-threatening injuries aligns with utilitarianism as it prioritizes saving the most lives and reducing suffering. By choosing to allocate resources to those with the most severe injuries, the healthcare providers are aiming to maximize the overall benefit to society. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Deontology focuses on following rules and duties regardless of the consequences. In this case, the decision to provide care based on severity of injuries goes against a strict deontological approach. C: Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' rights to make their own decisions about their care, which is not the primary consideration in this scenario. D: Veracity pertains to honesty and truthfulness in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision-making process in this healthcare scenario.
Question 4 of 5
Health care is one of the major stories in newspaper and television and a group of nurses are interested in how the economy impacts their nursing practice. The group critiques the relationship between contemporary economic trends and professional nursing practice and finds:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because pay for performance initiatives incentivize nurses to improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and following best practices. This directly links economic incentives to nursing practice. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG system primarily affects hospital reimbursement, not nursing shortages. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the type of care, not the economic impact on nursing practice. Choice D is incorrect as economic factors like funding, resources, and reimbursement significantly influence nursing practice.
Question 5 of 5
The practice of nurses, nursing students, and faculty is affected by demographic changes due to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: increasing numbers of obese children and adults. This demographic change directly impacts the practice of nurses by requiring specialized care and interventions for obesity-related health issues. Nurses need to be equipped to address the unique needs of obese patients. A is incorrect because the growing percentage of adults ages 50 to 55 years does not necessarily impact nursing practice significantly. C is incorrect as changes in family structure do not directly affect nursing care. D is incorrect because social programs alone cannot eliminate poverty entirely and poverty remains a significant factor affecting healthcare access and outcomes.