ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
In the past three to four decades, nursing has moved into the forefront in providing care for the dying. Which phenomenon has most contributed to this increased focus of care of the dying?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Demographic changes in the population. This is because as the population ages, there is a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses and an increased number of people facing end-of-life care needs. This has led to a greater demand for palliative and hospice care services, shifting the focus of nursing towards providing care for the dying. A: Increased incidence of infections and acute illnesses is not the primary factor contributing to the increased focus on care for the dying. While these conditions do require nursing care, they do not directly explain the shift in focus. B: Increased focus of health care providers on disease prevention is important but does not directly explain the increased attention on care for the dying. Disease prevention aims to reduce the incidence of illnesses, not necessarily address end-of-life care needs. C: Larger numbers of people dying in hospital settings may be a consequence of the increased focus on care for the dying, but it is not the underlying phenomenon driving the shift in nursing care towards end-of
Question 2 of 5
A medical nurse is providing end-of-life care for a patient with metastatic bone cancer. The nurse notes that the patient has been receiving oral analgesics for her pain with adequate effect, but is now having difficulty swallowing the medication. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Requesting the physician to order analgesics by an alternative route is the correct choice as the patient is having difficulty swallowing the medication. 2. Alternative routes could include subcutaneous, intravenous, transdermal, or rectal routes to ensure the patient receives adequate pain relief. 3. Crushing the medication (choice B) may alter the absorption rate and effectiveness of the medication. 4. Administering the medication with the meal tray (choice C) may not address the swallowing issue and could lead to inadequate pain relief. 5. Administering the medication rectally (choice D) is not ideal as it may not be the most appropriate route for analgesics in this situation.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse in a pediatric ICU is caring for a child who is dying of sickle cell anemia. The childs mother has been unable to eat or sleep and can talk only about her impending loss and the guilt she feels about the childs pain and suffering. What intervention has the highest priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Allowing the patient to express her feelings without judging her. This intervention has the highest priority as it focuses on providing emotional support and creating a safe space for the mother to express her emotions without feeling judged. In this situation, the mother is experiencing intense guilt and grief, and allowing her to talk about her feelings can help her process her emotions and cope with the impending loss. By listening actively and without judgment, the nurse can demonstrate empathy and compassion, which are crucial in supporting the mother through this difficult time. Summary: B: Helping the patient to understand the phases of the grieving process may be helpful, but it is not the highest priority at this moment. C: Reassuring the patient that the child's death is not her fault is important, but the priority is to address the mother's emotional needs first. D: Arranging for genetic counseling is not the highest priority at this time as the immediate focus should be on providing emotional support to the mother
Question 4 of 5
A nurse who provides care on an acute medical unit has observed that physicians are frequently reluctant to refer patients to hospice care. What are contributing factors that are known to underlie this tendency? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Financial pressures on health care providers. Physicians may be reluctant to refer patients to hospice care due to financial pressures. This could be because hospice care may be seen as less profitable compared to other treatments or services. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Patient reluctance is not a contributing factor from the physician's perspective. C: Hospice care is actually focused on comfort and quality of life, not prolonging death. D: Advances in curative treatment may not be directly related to physician reluctance to refer to hospice. E: Ease of making a terminal diagnosis is not a significant factor influencing physician reluctance.
Question 5 of 5
A 67-year-old woman experienced the death of her husband from a sudden myocardial infarction 5 weeks ago. The nurse recognizes that the woman will be going through the process of mourning for an extended period of time. What processes of mourning will allow the woman to accommodate the loss in a healthy way? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reinvesting in new relationships at the appropriate time. This process of mourning involves the woman gradually shifting her focus from the past relationship with her husband to forming new relationships or reinvesting in existing ones. This is crucial for her to adapt to life without her husband and move forward in a healthy manner. A: Reiterating her anger at her husband's care team is not a healthy process as it can lead to prolonged resentment and hinder the mourning process. C: Reminiscing about the relationship she had with her husband is a natural part of mourning but solely focusing on reminiscing may not allow her to fully adapt to life without her husband. D: Relinquishing old attachments to her husband at the appropriate time is important, but it is only one aspect of the mourning process. It is not the sole process necessary for healthy mourning. E: Renewing her lifelong commitment to her husband is not a healthy process as it prevents her from accepting the loss and