ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
It is important for nurses to know the functions of the branches of the federal government. At a local meeting of the state nurses' association, an officer reminds members that the branch that is capable of originating major policy initiatives is thebranch.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: legislative. The legislative branch, which consists of Congress, is responsible for creating and enacting laws, including major policy initiatives. This branch has the power to propose, debate, and pass legislation that shapes public policy. The executive branch (choice A) enforces laws, the judicial branch (choice C) interprets laws, and the administrative branch (choice D) oversees the implementation of laws. In this context, the legislative branch is the primary entity for originating major policy initiatives, making it crucial for nurses to understand its functions.
Question 2 of 9
In the near future, the largest segment of the population will be those over age 65 years. To advocate for this vulnerable population, a nurse was a strong supporter for the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D), which:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D) provided coverage for medications that constituted a huge expense for the elderly. This is crucial for the aging population as they often require multiple medications for chronic conditions. Choice A is incorrect because vision care benefits for legally blind individuals are usually covered under Medicare Part B. Choice B is incorrect as the act specifically focused on medication coverage, not mental health/substance abuse services. Choice D is incorrect as the act did not directly address expanding practice opportunities for APRNs, but rather focused on medication coverage for the elderly population.
Question 3 of 9
A staff nurse provides care based on intuition and always seems to be in control of her personal and professional life, serving on the board of the state nurses association, serving as the nursing unit's representative on the ethics committee, and coaching her daughter's soft ball team. Many of the staff observes how she manages time and provides care. This nurse's power comes from which type of power?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Referent power. Referent power is based on an individual's personal characteristics that others admire and seek to emulate. In this case, the nurse's ability to manage time effectively, maintain control in her personal and professional life, and serve in various leadership roles demonstrates her influence over others through admiration and respect. It is not legitimate power (B) as her authority does not stem from a formal position. It is not information power (C) as her power is not derived from possessing or sharing specific knowledge. It is not connection power (D) as her influence is not based on her network or relationships but rather on her personal qualities.
Question 4 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 5 of 9
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 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
A novice nurse notices the medication nurse hurriedly gathering medications to be administered for the entire day, removing them from the packages, and placing them in a paper cup with the patient's name and room number on the cup. When one of the patients points at a pill and asks, "What is this?" and "What does this do?" the medication nurse is uncertain, because it has long since been removed from the packaging. The novice nurse speaks to the nurse manager about her observations and describes her concerns. The novice nurse has assumed the role of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Change agent Rationale: 1. A change agent is someone who identifies issues or concerns and takes action to implement positive changes. 2. In this scenario, the novice nurse recognized a potential problem with medication administration and spoke to the nurse manager to address it. 3. By seeking to improve medication safety practices, the novice nurse is actively working towards positive change within the healthcare setting. 4. The other choices are incorrect: - A "loner" implies someone who prefers to work alone, which is not relevant to the situation. - "Rutter" and "native" are not recognized terms in this context and do not apply to the nurse's actions.
Question 8 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.
Question 9 of 9
Which trend is an effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the nursing shortage has led to a situation where students may be assigned to preceptors who have not yet developed expertise in the field of interest. This is a direct effect of the shortage as experienced and qualified nurses may not always be available to mentor students. This can impact the quality of education and training students receive, potentially hindering their learning and skill development. Options A, B, and C are incorrect: A: While it is true that devoted qualified nurses may be providing bedside nursing due to the complexity of care required, this does not directly relate to the effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education. B: The increase in the number of applicants and limited enrollment due to financial reasons is a separate issue from the shortage's impact on nursing education. C: The increase in nurses entering graduate school does not necessarily result in a lower faculty/student ratio for nursing students and is not a direct effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education.