ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
Nurses on a unit met with the nurse manager as part of participatory budgeting. They ask, "What exactly is the difference between fixed and variable costs? Understanding this will help us better understand the budgeting process." The manager provides a definition and asks the staff to list types of direct and indirect cost. Which example would indicate a need for further teaching?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the nurse manager's salary is typically considered a fixed cost, not a variable cost. Fixed costs remain constant regardless of the level of production or activity, while variable costs change in direct proportion to the level of activity. The nurse manager's salary is a fixed cost because it remains the same regardless of how many nurses are employed or how many patients are being cared for. A: Fixed costs such as accreditation fees are correct examples. B: Fixed costs like the cost for the automated medication-dispensing system are also correct examples. D: Variable costs like the salary expense for registered nurses are correct examples. Therefore, choice C would indicate a need for further teaching as it misidentifies the nurse manager's salary as a variable cost when it should be classified as a fixed cost.
Question 2 of 5
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 3 of 5
The nurse is demonstrating active listening when:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because maintaining eye contact while focusing on the patient's description of pain level and location demonstrates active listening. This non-verbal communication shows empathy and attentiveness to the patient's concerns. Choice A focuses on providing information rather than actively listening. Choice C involves personalizing the situation rather than focusing on the patient's needs. Choice D involves agreeing with the patient's decision rather than actively listening to understand their perspective.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse wants to apply open communication to obtain a thorough history and to determine cognitive function. Which question represents the use of open communication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it encourages the patient to provide detailed information and express themselves freely. By asking the patient to "Tell me what day of the week today is," the nurse is prompting an open-ended response, allowing the patient to share their understanding. Choice A is closed-ended, requiring a simple yes/no answer. Choice B is slightly better as it prompts for information, but it is still closed-ended. Choice D is irrelevant to the question of determining cognitive function and history. In summary, C promotes open communication by encouraging the patient to elaborate, while the other choices limit the patient's response.
Question 5 of 5
The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who is about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the registered nurse (RN). This task requires clinical judgment and critical thinking skills, which are within the scope of practice of an RN. The RN is trained to assess the patient comprehensively, identify potential risks, and communicate effectively with other healthcare team members. LPNs/LVNs may not have the same level of assessment skills as RNs. UAPs do not have the clinical knowledge or skills required for this task. Option D is incorrect as completing and signing the initial assessment requires active patient assessment, which is a dynamic process and not just about past information.