ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Nurses in a nonprofit hospital have expressed an interest in forming a union to secure fair wages and ensure client safety. To form a core support group of nurses, the union organizer can conduct meetings to gather initial information:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because conducting meetings at the worksite with respected staff nurses allows for direct engagement with potential union supporters. This approach fosters a sense of unity and trust among the nurses, making it easier to form a core support group. Additionally, meeting at the worksite enables easy access for all nurses and ensures a safe and neutral environment for discussions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because: A: Meeting away from the worksite with managers may create a conflict of interest and could lead to a biased understanding of the situation. C: Meeting in homes or local businesses may not provide a professional setting for discussions and may not be convenient for all nurses to attend. D: Photographing management meetings and discussing their strategies is unethical and could potentially harm the relationship between nurses and management.
Question 2 of 9
The length of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination is based on the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the length of the NCLEX-RN exam is based on the location of testing. This is because different testing centers may have varying procedures, schedules, and regulations that can affect the overall length of the exam. The length is standardized by location to ensure fairness and consistency for all candidates. Incorrect Answers: A: The last four numbers of the candidate's social security number have no relevance to the length of the exam. C: The candidate's educational preparation may impact their readiness for the exam but does not determine the length of the exam. D: The performance of the candidate is assessed during the exam and does not determine the initial length of the exam.
Question 3 of 9
When practicing in a compact state:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a compact state, the mutual recognition model allows nurses to practice across state lines without obtaining additional licenses. This model ensures that patients' rights are protected by requiring nurses to adhere to the nurse practice act of the state where the patient is located. This promotes nursing mobility while maintaining regulatory standards. A is incorrect because nurses must follow the nurse practice act of the state where they are practicing, not necessarily the largest state. C is incorrect because nurses do not have to pay for a license in all participating states under the mutual recognition model. D is incorrect because the nurse practice act outlines the scope of practice, not necessarily the list of skills that can be performed across state lines.
Question 4 of 9
When the nurse manager conducts a qualitative analysis of budget variances, he or she is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because when a nurse manager conducts a qualitative analysis of budget variances, they need to reconcile the underlying assumptions on which the budget was based with current conditions. This involves reviewing the initial budget assumptions to see if they still hold true and adjusting them accordingly. This step ensures that the budget remains relevant and accurate. A is incorrect because determining the percentage increase of supply usage does not involve a qualitative analysis of budget variances. B is incorrect because identifying the overall increase in the dollar amount of salaries paid for overtime is a quantitative analysis, not qualitative. C is incorrect because comparing productivity metrics across nursing units is a different type of analysis and not specifically related to budget variances.
Question 5 of 9
To ensure that nursing legislation is current and is reviewed by specific dates, if a nurse practice act fails to be reviewed, it is automatically rescinded under which law?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sunset legislation. Sunset legislation mandates that laws, including nurse practice acts, must be reviewed periodically to determine if they are still needed. If a nurse practice act is not reviewed by the specified date, it is automatically rescinded. This process ensures that laws are current and relevant. Incorrect Choices: A: Nurse review act - There is no specific law called the Nurse review act that pertains to the automatic rescinding of nurse practice acts. C: Mandatory revocation - This choice does not align with the process of automatic rescinding based on a failure to review. D: Grandfathering - Grandfathering refers to exempting individuals from new regulations based on previous circumstances, not the automatic rescinding of laws.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse responsible for staffing a medical-surgical unit must consider: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the patient census. This is crucial for determining the appropriate number of staff needed to provide safe and effective care based on the current number of patients. The patient census directly impacts workload and patient acuity levels. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because although they may be important factors to consider when staffing a medical-surgical unit, they are not as directly related to determining the immediate staffing needs based on the current patient load. The physical layout of the unit, complexity of care required, and educational level of staff are important for overall unit operations and quality of care but do not have the same immediate impact on staffing decisions as the patient census.
Question 7 of 9
When differentiating between slander and libel, the nurse knows that libel:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because libel refers to written defamatory statements. In this scenario, subjective comments written in the nurse's notes can be considered libel as they are documented in writing. Choice B is incorrect because it describes negative comments made verbally, which would be considered slander, not libel. Choice C is incorrect as it involves verbal communication, which falls under slander, not libel. Choice D is incorrect as it describes repeating prejudiced comments verbally, which is also considered slander, not libel.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is reading an abstract about a study related to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The purpose is stated as follows: "To examine the generalizability of two randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to determine whether steroid therapy resulted in the positive outcomes." The nurse knows generalizability refers to the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Generalizability refers to the conclusion that findings from a sample can be applied to the entire population. In this case, the purpose of the study is to determine if the positive outcomes of steroid therapy in two randomized placebo-controlled trials for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be generalized to a broader population of patients with the same condition. Choice B is incorrect because generalizability is not about the type of steroids used but about the applicability of study findings. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to selection bias, not generalizability. Choice D is incorrect as generalizability is about the application of findings, not the universality of bacteria types.
Question 9 of 9
Care delivery using the team-based approach is used on a telemetry nursing unit. The team consists of one registered nurse (RN), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Staff have been charged to improve quality of care while ensuring cost containment. Which assignments would meet both criteria?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it aligns with improving quality of care and cost containment. LPNs are trained to perform sterile procedures like dressing changes and IV tubing changes, which can enhance patient outcomes. This assignment allows the RN to focus on tasks that require their specialized skills, promoting quality care. Furthermore, utilizing LPNs for these tasks is more cost-effective than having an RN perform them. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Having the RN administer all medications to all patients is not utilizing the team effectively. LPNs and UAPs can handle medication administration under appropriate supervision. C: While experienced UAPs can assist with attaching telemetry electrodes, this task does not fully utilize the skills of the LPNs and RN to improve care quality. D: Administering an enema is within the scope of an LPN's practice, and assigning this task to the RN is not the most efficient use of resources.