ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Patients with heart failure have extended lengths of stay and are often readmitted shortly after they have been discharged. To improve quality of care, a type of "road map" that included all elements of care for this disease and that standardized treatment by guiding daily care was implemented. This road map is referred to as a(n):
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: critical pathway. Critical pathways are structured, multidisciplinary care plans that detail essential steps in the care of patients with specific conditions, such as heart failure. They standardize treatment by outlining the sequence and timing of interventions, tests, and medications, helping to improve efficiency and quality of care. Critical pathways guide daily care by providing a roadmap for healthcare providers to follow, ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely interventions. Explanation of other choices: A: Benchmark - Benchmarks are standards or reference points used for comparison, not a structured care plan like a critical pathway. C: Algorithm - Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving problems, not necessarily a comprehensive care plan like a critical pathway. D: Case management - Case management involves coordinating care and services for individual patients, not a standardized care plan for a specific disease like a critical pathway.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse who is licensed in Georgia and moves to Oregon:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because when a nurse moves to a new state, they must check the new state's nurse practice act related to licensure for endorsement. This is important to ensure the nurse meets all requirements and regulations for practicing in the new state. Option B is incorrect as licensure is not automatically transferred. Option C is incorrect as certification is different from licensure, and the NCLEX-RN® is typically required for licensure. Option D is incorrect as the American Nurses Credentialing Center is not responsible for determining state licensure eligibility. Checking the new state's nurse practice act is the standard procedure for obtaining licensure endorsement.
Question 3 of 9
The number of IV site infections has more than doubled on a nursing unit. The staff determine common causes include the site is cleaned using inconsistent methods, dressing frequently becomes wet when patient showers, IV tubing is not changed every 48 hours per protocol, and inadequate hand washing of RN prior to insertion. A bar graph demonstrates the frequency in descending order, with 80% of infections being attributed to inadequate hand washing. The quality tool used is a:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pareto chart. A Pareto chart is a quality tool used to prioritize issues by identifying the most significant factors contributing to a problem. In this case, the Pareto chart is appropriate because it helps visually show that inadequate hand washing is the primary cause of IV site infections, as it accounts for 80% of all infections. The chart allows the staff to focus their efforts on addressing this key issue first, which is crucial for effectively reducing the overall infection rate. Incorrect choices: A: Cause-and-effect diagram - This tool is used to identify and analyze potential causes of a problem, but it does not prioritize them in the same way a Pareto chart does. B: Run chart - A run chart is used to track data over time to identify trends and patterns, but it does not prioritize the causes of a problem like a Pareto chart. D: Flowchart - Flowcharts are used to map out a process or workflow, but they do not prioritize issues
Question 4 of 9
An explosion just occurred at the local factory, and hundreds of employees have sustained varying degrees of injury. Which type of nursing leadership is most effective in this situation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most effective nursing leadership style in a crisis like this is democratic. In this situation, collaboration and input from all team members are essential for quick decision-making and effective communication. Democratic leadership promotes teamwork, empowers staff, and fosters open communication, leading to better coordination and outcomes. Autocratic leadership may hinder staff engagement and morale. Laissez-faire lacks direction and may result in chaos during a crisis. Referent leadership focuses on personal relationships rather than team dynamics, not the most effective approach in this urgent situation.
Question 5 of 9
A patient is brought to the unit with mediastinal chest tubes with no fluctuation in the water seal chamber; arterial blood gas results reveal pH, 55; CO , 55; HCO, 28 mEq/L, and O , 98%. Carotid artery pulsation is visible with the head of the bed elevated and the use of tangential lighting. The first action of the nurse is to: The above question represents which level of Bloom's taxonomy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Application. In this scenario, the nurse needs to apply knowledge of arterial blood gas results and assessment findings to determine appropriate actions. With the patient having abnormal ABG results and visible carotid artery pulsation, the nurse must recognize impending respiratory failure and act promptly, such as notifying the healthcare provider or respiratory therapist. This requires applying critical thinking skills to make decisions based on collected data. Incorrect choices: A: Knowledge - Choosing this option implies only recalling facts, which is not sufficient in this situation. B: Comprehension - This choice suggests understanding the information given, but it does not involve applying that understanding to make decisions. D: Analysis - While analysis involves breaking down information, the immediate action needed in this case is more about applying knowledge to prevent a potential crisis, rather than deeply analyzing the situation.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is interested in working in a large trauma center that is unionized but does not want to join the union or pay fees. She accepts the position but is not required to join or pay fees to the union based on which law?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Right-to-work law. This law prohibits requiring union membership or payment of union fees as a condition of employment. The nurse can work in the unionized trauma center without being obligated to join or pay fees due to the provisions of the Right-to-work law. A: National Labor Relations Act - This act protects the rights of employees to join or form unions but does not specifically address the issue of mandatory union membership or fees. C: National Labor Relations Act - This is a duplicate choice. D: Taft-Hartley Act - This act regulates labor unions but does not specifically address the issue of mandatory union membership or fees.
Question 7 of 9
A physician has installed a computer-based patient records system. An outside care provider who requests medical information must obtain the patient's signed consent and then is assigned a password to gain access to the medical information. A monthly audit is conducted to determine for whom and for what purpose patient records have been accessed. This protection is referred to as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: security. The scenario describes measures to protect the patient records system from unauthorized access, such as requiring consent, assigning passwords, and conducting audits. Security specifically refers to safeguarding information from unauthorized access, ensuring data integrity and availability. Privacy (A) is about controlling access to personal information, while confidentiality (B) is about keeping information private. Data capture (D) refers to the process of collecting data, not protecting it from unauthorized access. In this case, the focus is on security measures implemented to protect patient records, making it the most appropriate choice.
Question 8 of 9
What is the primary factor that characterizes a patient receiving palliative care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the primary factor that characterizes a patient receiving palliative care is a diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening disease. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the stage of the disease or the prognosis. This means that palliative care can be appropriate for patients with a variety of life expectancies, not just those with less than 12 months to live. Choices B and C are incorrect because while they are important factors in healthcare decision-making, they are not the primary factor that characterizes a patient receiving palliative care. Choice D is also incorrect because palliative care can be provided to patients with various life expectancies, not just those with less than 12 months to live.
Question 9 of 9
A graduate nurse should begin the job search knowing that:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because efforts to reduce healthcare expenditures do not necessarily impact the need for RNs, which remains stable. This is supported by the ongoing demand for nurses in various healthcare settings. Choice A is incorrect as the demand for RNs is generally high. Choice B is incorrect because job availability depends on various factors beyond just the location of the hospital. Choice D is incorrect as the need for nurses in acute care hospitals remains significant despite the shift towards outpatient and ambulatory settings.