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.

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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial intervention for the nurse when working with the family of a patient receiving palliative care is to identify what types of help the family will need to care for the patient (Choice B). This is because understanding the family's needs and resources is essential for providing effective support. By identifying the specific types of assistance required, the nurse can tailor the care plan to meet the family's needs, enhancing the quality of care provided to the patient. Determining the patient's durable power of attorney (Choice A) is important but usually comes later in the process after understanding the family's needs. Completing an assessment of the family's strengths and weaknesses (Choice C) is valuable but not the initial step. Discussing the dynamics of the family with the patient (Choice D) may be relevant but is not the priority when initiating support for the family.

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.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because advocating for funds to pay for nursing education and a safer work environment addresses the root causes of the nursing shortage. By securing funding for education, more individuals can enter the nursing profession. Creating a safer work environment enhances nurse retention. A is incorrect because while unions can negotiate for better benefits, it doesn't directly address the shortage by increasing the number of nurses. B is incorrect because reducing the requirements for foreign nurses may compromise the quality of care and does not address the shortage of local nurses. C is incorrect because working more hours with a higher nurse/patient ratio can lead to burnout and compromise patient safety, exacerbating the nursing shortage.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Open systems. In an open system theory, organizations interact with their environment, adapting to changes and feedback. In this case, the nurse's repeated excessive call-ins affecting shift change demonstrate a lack of consideration for the team and patient care, disrupting the system's functioning. This theory emphasizes the interconnectedness and impact of individual actions on the entire system, refuting the nurse's claim of unfair treatment. Summary: A: Authoritative - Focuses on centralized decision-making authority, not relevant to addressing the nurse's behavior. B: Closed systems - Operate independently without external influences, not applicable as the nurse's actions impact the system. D: Trait - Focuses on individual characteristics, not addressing the systemic impact of the nurse's behavior.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a residency program offers extended time for both theory and clinical activities that promote problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills. This is important for new graduates to enhance their clinical skills and transition into practice effectively. A: Providing housing for the graduate nurse is not typically a component of a residency program. B: Partnering a medical resident with a nurse resident for interprofessional care is not a defining feature of a nursing residency program. C: Allowing new graduates to work on a higher degree in nursing while being paid full-time is not the primary focus of a nursing residency program, which is more about developing clinical skills.

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.

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.