ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Nurses working on an orthopedic unit use personal digital assistants (PDAs) to review medications prior to administration to reduce potential drug interactions. Software is also installed that provides video clips of common procedures performed by nurses. Nurses on this unit are best demonstrating which QSEN competencies?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Informatics. Nurses on the orthopedic unit are demonstrating informatics competency by using PDAs for medication review and accessing video clips for procedures. This showcases their ability to utilize technology to enhance patient care. Patient-centered care (A) focuses on individualized care, teamwork (C) emphasizes collaboration, and quality improvement (D) pertains to enhancing processes. The use of technology in this scenario aligns most closely with the informatics competency, making it the best choice.
Question 2 of 9
The primary purpose of the Social Security Act of 1935 was to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: ensure health care for older adults through a national insurance system. The Social Security Act of 1935 established social insurance programs to provide financial support for retired and elderly individuals. This was done through the implementation of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. The Act aimed to address the economic insecurity faced by older adults and their families by providing a safety net through a national insurance system. Incorrect answers: A: Increasing research on minority groups was not the primary purpose of the Social Security Act of 1935. B: Providing medical care for chemically impaired persons was not the primary focus of the Act. D: Decreasing the public's financial burden by limiting services offered by local health departments was not the primary goal of the Act.
Question 3 of 9
The Nurses of America's media campaign raised awareness of which aspects of nursing? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the Nurses of America's media campaign aimed to highlight nurses as expert clinicians, emphasizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise in patient care. This choice aligns with the campaign's goal and message. Choice B is incorrect because the campaign did not specifically advocate for a higher nurse/patient ratio. Choice C is incorrect as the campaign sought to make nurses more visible in the news media. Choice D is incorrect because while nurses are caring, the focus of the campaign was on their clinical expertise.
Question 4 of 9
All hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds must ask clients whether they have a living will or a durable power of attorney. This act is known as the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Uniform Health Care Decisions Act. This act mandates hospitals to inquire if clients have a living will or durable power of attorney to ensure patients' healthcare wishes are honored. A: Emergency Treatment and Active Labor Law pertains to emergency care. B: Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on discrimination against individuals with disabilities. D: Doctrine of res ipsa loquitur involves negligence cases where the injury speaks for itself. Therefore, the correct choice is C as it directly addresses the requirement for hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is submitting a grant application to improve access to health care and mortality for minority groups. The grant focuses on the six causes of death that are identified as priorities for minorities, which include:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is because COPD is a leading cause of death among minority groups due to factors like smoking, pollution exposure, and healthcare disparities. This aligns with the grant's goal of improving health outcomes for minorities. Malnutrition (B) is not a top cause of death for minorities. Cirrhosis of the liver (C) is more common in certain populations but not a top priority for this grant. Cancer (D) is a significant concern, but COPD is more prevalent among minority groups.
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
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 8 of 9
The nurse who presents a class on different methods of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) differentiates between imagery and hypnosis in which of the following ways?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it accurately differentiates between imagery and hypnosis. Imagery involves the patient formulating the impression in their mind, while hypnosis involves the hypnotist constructing the image for the patient. This is a key distinction as it highlights the active role of the patient in imagery compared to the more passive role in hypnosis. Choice A is incorrect because it inaccurately describes the process of hypnosis and imagery. Choice B is incorrect because both imagery and hypnosis can be performed by trained practitioners. Choice C is incorrect as both techniques can have varying durations of effectiveness, and it is not accurate to say that imagery only produces temporary well-being compared to hypnosis.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse providing care at the bedside receives an "alert" that a patient's stat potassium level is 5 and digoxin (Lanoxin) is scheduled. The nurse holds the medication and prevents a possible complication. This feature of the Electronic Health Record is available through which core function of EHR?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decision support. In this scenario, the nurse received an alert regarding a potential drug interaction between the patient's potassium level and the scheduled digoxin. Decision support in EHR provides real-time clinical guidance to healthcare providers, helping them make informed decisions to improve patient safety. Holding the medication in response to the alert demonstrates the effective use of decision support to prevent adverse drug events. Choices A, C, and D do not directly relate to the situation described and do not involve the clinical decision-making support provided by EHRs.