Nurses on a busy medical schedule want to reduce documentation time and improve order entry. Additionally, patient records from previous visits are often incomplete or do not include care from other providers. To improve patient care, a taskforce suggests using an Electronic Medical Record for 1 month to determine whether this provides the desired outcomes. This unit is participating in which type of study?

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Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions

Question 1 of 9

Nurses on a busy medical schedule want to reduce documentation time and improve order entry. Additionally, patient records from previous visits are often incomplete or do not include care from other providers. To improve patient care, a taskforce suggests using an Electronic Medical Record for 1 month to determine whether this provides the desired outcomes. This unit is participating in which type of study?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pilot. A pilot study involves testing a new intervention on a small scale to assess feasibility and potential outcomes before implementing it on a larger scale. In this case, the unit is planning to use an Electronic Medical Record for a limited time to evaluate its impact on documentation time and patient care. This approach allows for targeted feedback and adjustments based on the outcomes observed during the trial period. A: Ethnography involves in-depth observation and analysis of a specific culture or group, which is not the focus of the scenario. C: Secondary data analysis involves the use of existing data for research purposes, not the implementation of a new intervention. D: Phenomenology focuses on understanding individuals' subjective experiences, which is not the primary goal of implementing an Electronic Medical Record in this case.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse manager is working with the financial officer to develop the budget of the nursing unit for the next fiscal year. The nurse manager tells the financial officer that which of the following pieces of information will affect budget assumptions?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because an increase in patient census directly impacts the budget assumptions by affecting staffing needs, supply costs, and revenue projections. This information is crucial for accurate budget planning. Choice A is incorrect because the capital budget request for new equipment does not directly impact the nursing unit's operational budget assumptions. Choice C is incorrect as the effectiveness of participatory budgeting in controlling supply costs does not directly influence future budget assumptions. Choice D is incorrect as zero-based budgeting efficiency does not directly address the impact of increased patient census on budget assumptions.

Question 3 of 9

As part of a quality assurance project, a nurse is to round on every patient daily for 1 month to ensure the intravenous tubing is labeled with date hung and nurse's initials. The nurse is hoping to be promoted to a full-time position within the quality department, and her success on this project is very important to her receiving the position. The nurse retains all other assignments, and she is often interrupted to help other staff or answer call lights. The nurse discusses her concerns with the manager, who frees her for 1 hour each day to make rounds. During this 1 hour each day the nurse will organize herself and environment by practicing the:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: reducing stacked-desk syndrome. This term refers to the practice of organizing tasks and environment to prevent work from piling up. In this scenario, the nurse is given 1 hour each day to focus solely on the quality assurance project, helping her prevent tasks from accumulating and ensuring she can complete her rounds efficiently. This practice enhances productivity and enables the nurse to manage her workload effectively. Choice A, "art of 'no detourism,'" is irrelevant in this context as it does not address the issue of organizing tasks and environment. Choice C, "art of 'wastebasketry,'" is not applicable as it pertains to the skill of decision-making and prioritization, which is not the primary concern in this scenario. Choice D, "managing e-mail and memo mania," is also not directly related to the nurse's need to organize herself and environment for the quality assurance project.

Question 4 of 9

A community health nurse has been visiting a postpartum client who suffered domestic violence throughout the pregnancy, and now the infant may be at risk. The nurse assisted the client in finding shelter and legal protection. The nurse's role and the conceptual framework involved are:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: case manager, according to Peplau's interpersonal relations model. In this scenario, the nurse is coordinating resources and services for the client, which aligns with the role of a case manager. Peplau's model emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and client, focusing on understanding the client's needs and providing support. The nurse in this situation is not just providing direct care (caregiver), advocating for change (change agent), or focusing solely on cultural aspects (translator). The nurse's role as a case manager involves addressing the client's complex needs, coordinating care, and advocating for the client's well-being, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is interviewing for a job and recently read the American Nurses Association's (ANA) recommendation for questions to ask regarding before accepting employment. Which questions should the nurse ask?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because understanding the mission of the parent organization is crucial for aligning personal values with the organizational goals. This knowledge can help the nurse assess if their values and beliefs are in line with the organization's mission, leading to better job satisfaction and performance. A: Flexible scheduling is important but not specified in ANA's recommendations. B: Advancement expectations are important, but not a priority in ANA's recommendations. C: Staff retention is relevant, but not emphasized in ANA's recommendations.

Question 6 of 9

A nurse plans care knowing when specific recovery milestones are expected. The nurse is providing care via:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: clinical pathways. Clinical pathways are structured, evidence-based plans of care that outline the expected recovery milestones and interventions for a specific condition or procedure. By following a clinical pathway, nurses can effectively plan care and monitor progress based on established guidelines. Patient classification systems (A) categorize patients based on acuity levels, not recovery milestones. Functional nursing (C) involves delegating specific tasks to different staff members. Case management (D) focuses on coordinating care across multiple providers, not specifically on recovery milestones.

Question 7 of 9

An RN is consistently late to work, causing reassignment of patient care and the need for repeated shift reports. The nurse, who receives a warning for repeated tardiness, states, "My husband left me, I have no car, no family close by, and the bus is always late, which makes me late. The nurse manager doesn't care how hard I try to get here, and I am raising a child by myself." The nurse is using which type of logical fallacy?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Appeal to emotion. The nurse is trying to justify their repeated tardiness by appealing to the emotions of the nurse manager, by invoking pity and sympathy. This type of logical fallacy involves using emotional manipulation to distract from the real issue of consistently being late to work. The nurse's personal circumstances are valid but do not excuse the behavior. Summary of other choices: B: Appeal to tradition - This fallacy involves justifying a belief or action based on the fact that it has been done that way in the past. This is not evident in the nurse's response. C: Hasty generalization - Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence. The nurse's explanation is specific to their own situation and not a broad generalization. D: Confusing cause and effect - Mistaking the cause of a situation for the effect or vice versa. The nurse is trying to use their personal circumstances as the cause of being consistently late, rather than taking responsibility for their actions.

Question 8 of 9

An RN delegates to an experienced LPN/LVN the task of administering oral medications to a group of patients. The LPN/LVN accepts the assignment, and the RN knows that the LPN/LVN has had the training and has acquired the skills needed to complete the task. The RN then observes the LPN/LVN recording a patient's medication administration just before entering the patient's room. The priority intervention by the RN is to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: stop the LPN/LVN immediately and discuss the possible consequences of his actions in a nonjudgmental manner. This is the priority intervention because it addresses the immediate issue of potentially incorrect documentation and allows for clarity and understanding between the RN and LPN/LVN. It promotes open communication and a chance to correct any errors that may have occurred. Choice A is incorrect because checking the drug packages after the fact does not address the issue of potentially incorrect documentation and missed medications. Choice C is incorrect as it is an extreme response that does not promote a collaborative and educational approach to resolving the situation. Choice D is incorrect as calling the pharmacy for replacement medications is not necessary at this stage and does not address the immediate concern of potentially incorrect documentation.

Question 9 of 9

The research hypothesis is that aromatherapy reduces stress more effectively than does acupuncture. The researcher does not identify a control group. This study would be a(n) design.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: experimental design. In an experimental design, the researcher manipulates one variable (aromatherapy vs. acupuncture) to observe its effect on another variable (stress). Without a control group, it is impossible to establish a baseline for comparison. A control group is essential to isolate the effects of the treatment from other variables. Quasi-experimental designs lack random assignment, surveys are used to gather data rather than test hypotheses, and meta-analyses involve combining and analyzing results from multiple studies.

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