ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Organizations measure the effectiveness of their budgets by examining actual revenues and expenditures versus:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: planned variances. Organizations compare actual revenues and expenditures to planned variances to measure budget effectiveness. Planned variances show the differences between the budgeted amounts and the actual results, highlighting areas of over or underperformance. This analysis helps organizations identify reasons for deviations and adjust future budgets accordingly. Explanation for other choices: B: Incremental budgets focus on adjusting previous budgets by a fixed amount, not on comparing actual versus planned amounts. C: Productivity metrics measure the efficiency of resources used, not specifically related to budget effectiveness. D: Expected performance is a vague term that does not directly address comparing actual versus planned financial data.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse practicing in the early 1900s was awarded a permissive license. These licenses:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because permissive licenses in the early 1900s were voluntary but required passing an examination to use the title RN. This ensured a basic level of competency. Choice B is incorrect as there was no specific requirement for the duration of formalized nurse training. Choice C is incorrect as failing the examination would disqualify nurses from practice. Choice D is incorrect as there was typically only one type of licensure examination, not a choice between written or oral.
Question 3 of 9
Which item below correctly describes the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions by 2020?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job growth rate for RNs will surpass job growth in all other occupations by 2020. This is supported by the increasing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population and advancements in medical technology. Choice A is incorrect as the need for registered nurses is expected to continue due to the complexity of patient care. Choice C is incorrect as the need for hospital nurses is projected to increase, not decrease. Choice D is incorrect as many hospitals still struggle to achieve the required RN workforce due to various factors like turnover and retention issues.
Question 4 of 9
In attempting to decide which services should be offered to a community, the public health nurse decides to implement hypertension screening and treatment because most of the residents are hypertensive. This decision is based on the principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the ethical principle that actions should be chosen based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, implementing hypertension screening and treatment for a community where most residents are hypertensive aligns with utilitarianism as it aims to benefit the greatest number of people by improving their health outcomes. This decision focuses on the overall good of the community, making it the most ethical choice. Rationale for why other choices are incorrect: A: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. While honesty is important in healthcare decision-making, it is not the primary factor in this scenario. B: Values refer to personal beliefs and principles. While values may influence decision-making, the primary focus in this scenario is on maximizing community health outcomes. D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions. While autonomy is important in healthcare, it is not the guiding principle in this scenario where the focus is
Question 5 of 9
"A patient with end-stage renal disease has a potassium level of 5 mEq/L. Based on this laboratory result, the nurse interprets which symptom as significant prompting which action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C: Irregular heartbeat is a significant symptom of hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should evaluate capillary refill to assess perfusion. High potassium levels can affect cardiac function, leading to arrhythmias. Monitoring capillary refill provides insight into tissue perfusion, helping to assess the severity of the condition and guide appropriate interventions. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Drowsiness is not a typical symptom of hyperkalemia. Stimulating the patient every 30 minutes does not address the underlying issue. B: Confusion is not a common symptom of hyperkalemia. Asking the patient to state their name and birthdate does not address the cardiac implications of high potassium levels. D: Muscle cramps may occur with hyperkalemia but are not as critical as irregular heartbeat. Elevating the affected limb is not the priority in this situation.
Question 6 of 9
A client who is reading a newspaper asks, "This article about health care states that many providers of health care lack effectiveness. What is the difference between effectiveness and efficiency?" The nurse explains that:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Define effectiveness and efficiency - Effectiveness is achieving the intended outcome, while efficiency is achieving the outcome with minimal waste. Step 2: Analyze option A - It correctly defines effectiveness as performing the correct test or intervention and efficiency as the wise use of supplies and resources for the desired outcome. Step 3: Justification - The nurse explains that many healthcare providers lack effectiveness, indicating they are not achieving the desired outcomes, which aligns with the definition of effectiveness in option A. Step 4: Summary of incorrect choices - B incorrectly defines efficiency as quick completion of tasks, C confuses efficiency with wastage, and D incorrectly associates efficiency with speed rather than minimal waste.
Question 7 of 9
World War I contributed to the advancement of health care by:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because World War I led to the introduction of specialized roles in nursing, such as nurse anesthetists, to address the increasing medical needs of soldiers. This advancement in nursing specialization improved the quality of care provided during the war and paved the way for future developments in healthcare. Choice A is incorrect because World War I actually increased the role of public health services to address the healthcare needs of the population during the war. Choice B is incorrect as the Red Cross primarily provided emergency medical care during the war, not long-term healthcare advancements. Choice D is incorrect as there is no direct evidence that World War I specifically increased the number of community health nurses.
Question 8 of 9
Which factors would be considered in the first steps in developing an effective patient classification system? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In developing a patient classification system, planned procedures are crucial as they determine resource allocation, staffing needs, and patient acuity. Understanding the procedures aids in categorizing patients accurately based on care requirements. Ethnic diversity, clinical competency, and educational level are not primary factors in this initial step as they do not directly impact patient classification. Ethnicity does not determine care needs, staff competency should already be ensured, and nurse education level is not the sole determinant of patient classification. Hence, A is the correct choice for developing an effective patient classification system.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse realizes that much time is wasted during shift report when coworkers discuss personal items such as recent movies or department store sales. Which statement would help with time management during this critical interaction?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it directly addresses the issue of time management during shift report by focusing on the essential tasks that need to be discussed. By starting with revisions to the plan of care and scheduled activities for the next shift, the nurse ensures that the most critical information is covered efficiently. This approach helps prioritize the discussion and prevent unnecessary time spent on non-essential topics. Option A is incorrect because limiting the discussion to just one movie does not address the overall time management issue during shift report. Option B is incorrect because discussing department store sales while walking between patient rooms may still lead to distractions and inefficiencies in the report. Option C is incorrect as it focuses on what went wrong during the shift rather than addressing the need for efficient time management during the report. The correct answer, D, is the most effective choice as it directly tackles the issue of time wasted during shift report by emphasizing the essential tasks that need to be covered.