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
A nurse believes that humans use creativity and critical thinking to balance their connections with their surroundings. The nurse decides to conduct a study on the basis of this belief. Which nursing theory would be best for this study?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Rogers' science of unitary human beings. This theory emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and their environment as energy fields. Step 1: The nurse's belief that humans use creativity and critical thinking aligns with Rogers' theory of constant interaction with the environment through energy fields. Step 2: This theory views humans as holistic beings, emphasizing the balance and harmony between individuals and their surroundings. Step 3: Peplau's theory focuses more on interpersonal relations, Roy's on adaptation to stressors, and Orem's on self-care deficits, which are not directly related to the nurse's hypothesis. Therefore, Rogers' theory best fits the study's focus on the dynamic interaction between humans and their environment through creativity and critical thinking.
Question 3 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 4 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.
Question 5 of 9
The massage therapist uses kinesthesia, or thinking about how movement is expressed, to correct habits that cause poor posture and limited movement. This type of massage is called:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Feldenkrais method. This method focuses on improving movement patterns through kinesthetic awareness and re-education. It helps correct habits that lead to poor posture and limited movement by increasing awareness of how the body moves. The Alexander technique (A) mainly focuses on improving posture and reducing tension. Healing touch (C) involves energy-based healing practices, not specifically related to movement correction. Reiki (D) is a form of energy healing that aims to promote relaxation and stress reduction, not movement correction. Therefore, the best choice for the given scenario is the Feldenkrais method.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is heard making this comment, "I believe human dignity is based on perceived self-worth while caring is based on perceived role in society that forms the basis of nursing practice." This nurse is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer choice D is correct: 1. The nurse's statement suggests a proposition concerning the constructs of nursing practice, linking human dignity and caring to nursing roles. 2. The nurse is not demonstrating a model of human dignity (A), as they are discussing the relationship between human dignity and nursing practice, not modeling it. 3. The nurse is not evaluating the relevance of Leininger's Theory (B), as the statement does not mention cultural care theory, which is central to Leininger's work. 4. The nurse is not applying Mishel's Theory of Disease Uncertainty (C), as the statement does not discuss uncertainty in illness situations, which is the focus of Mishel's theory. In summary, answer choice D is correct because the nurse is making a proposition regarding the constructs of nursing practice based on the relationship between human dignity and caring in nursing roles.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse manager determines that four RNs, five LPN/LVNs, and two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are required per shift to meet the needs of the patient population on the unit, according to acuity and census. The nurse manager is concerned with:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: staffing. The nurse manager's concern is related to ensuring adequate numbers of RNs, LPN/LVNs, and UAPs per shift to meet patient needs. Staffing refers to the appropriate allocation of personnel to provide safe and effective care. Assignments (A) are specific tasks given to staff, output (C) is the end result of a process, and productivity (D) is efficiency in completing tasks - these are not the primary focus of the nurse manager's concern in this scenario. Staffing directly addresses the crucial aspect of having the right mix and number of staff members to deliver quality care.
Question 8 of 9
A teenage patient is using earphones to listen to hard rock music and is making gestures in rhythm to the music. The nurse assesses the amount of urine output in the Foley catheter and leaves the room. What communication technique is demonstrated in both of these situations?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blocking. In both situations, the patient's actions are ignored or dismissed, indicating a lack of active listening. Blocking involves avoiding communication by not acknowledging the patient's gestures or needs. The nurse fails to engage with the patient and address their non-verbal cues. Summary: B: Filtration is not relevant as it involves selectively presenting information. C: Empathy is not demonstrated as the nurse is not responding to the patient's non-verbal cues. D: False assurance is not applicable as it involves giving misleading reassurance, which is not present in the scenario.
Question 9 of 9
Each month data on admission assessments that are based on the following standard are entered: "All patients will be assessed by an RN within 2 hours of admission." The target goal for this standard is 97% compliance. Data are displayed on a graph that shows number and time of admission assessments and compliance variation limits. This pictorial representation is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: control chart. A control chart is used to display data over time and indicate variations within set limits, making it ideal for monitoring compliance with a standard like "All patients will be assessed by an RN within 2 hours of admission." The control chart allows for easy identification of trends, shifts, or patterns that may indicate a need for corrective action to maintain the 97% compliance goal. A: Pareto chart is used to identify the most significant factors contributing to a problem, not to monitor compliance over time. C: Deployment chart is not a standard tool in quality control or process monitoring. D: A top-down flowchart is used to depict the sequence of steps in a process, not to monitor compliance with a standard over time.