The novice nurse calls a supervisor and requests that a "float nurse" be assigned to help with all "assessments of new admissions and postoperative patients." The supervisor asks, "How many admissions and surgery patients have you received?" The novice nurse becomes flustered because she has not checked the census but simply bases the need on feeling overwhelmed. This situation best indicates a lack of skills.

Questions 113

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Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions

Question 1 of 9

The novice nurse calls a supervisor and requests that a "float nurse" be assigned to help with all "assessments of new admissions and postoperative patients." The supervisor asks, "How many admissions and surgery patients have you received?" The novice nurse becomes flustered because she has not checked the census but simply bases the need on feeling overwhelmed. This situation best indicates a lack of skills.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: organizational skills. The novice nurse's inability to assess the number of admissions and postoperative patients before requesting assistance indicates a lack of organizational skills. Organizational skills involve prioritizing tasks, managing time efficiently, and planning ahead. In this scenario, the nurse failed to gather essential information before making a decision, leading to inefficiency and potential misallocation of resources. Choice B: communication skills, is not the best answer because the issue is not primarily related to communication breakdown but rather a lack of organizational skills. Choice C: interpersonal skills, is not the best answer because the problem does not stem from the nurse's ability to interact with others but rather from her inability to organize her workload effectively. Choice D: clinical skills, is not the best answer because the situation is more about managing workload and resources rather than clinical knowledge or expertise.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse tallies the patient satisfaction surveys and approves the use of an agency nurse because of the high census. This nurse is involved in which nursing role?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Manager. In this scenario, the nurse is making decisions related to staffing and resource management based on patient census, which falls under the responsibilities of a nurse manager. A manager oversees the organization and coordination of nursing care to ensure efficient and effective delivery. The other choices - Change agent, Educator, and Coordinator - do not directly align with the decision-making process related to staffing and resource management as seen in the scenario.

Question 3 of 9

The key to organizational success for health care facilities is:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: retaining professional nurses. Retaining professional nurses is crucial for organizational success in healthcare facilities as it ensures continuity of care, promotes staff morale, reduces turnover costs, and maintains high-quality patient outcomes. By retaining experienced and skilled nurses, organizations can benefit from their expertise, knowledge, and commitment to providing excellent patient care. A: Hiring younger, more energetic nurses may bring new perspectives and energy but does not guarantee the same level of experience and expertise as professional nurses. B: Offering incentives like sign-on bonuses may attract new hires, but it does not address the underlying issues that lead to nurse turnover. C: Hiring highly qualified advanced practice nurses is beneficial, but it does not address the importance of retaining all professional nurses within the organization.

Question 4 of 9

A nurse develops a new nursing theory related to stress and viability. The nurse determines the theory accounts for historical events in which soldiers suffering from the stress of inadequate clothing to protect them from the cold and lack of correspondence from home had an increased mortality related to gunshot wounds. The theory will predict gunshot victims' need for proper clothing and letters from significant others as they serve in Iraq. Which criterion for theory acceptance is being validated?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Accuracy. The nurse's theory is being validated based on its ability to accurately predict the need for proper clothing and letters from significant others for soldiers serving in Iraq. This criterion is essential for theory acceptance as it demonstrates the theory's ability to make accurate predictions based on historical events. Inclusiveness (A) refers to the theory's ability to encompass a wide range of phenomena, which is not explicitly demonstrated in this scenario. Consistency (B) refers to the theory's internal coherence and agreement with existing knowledge, which is not the focus of the nurse's validation process in this case. Simplicity (D) refers to the theory's clarity and parsimony, which is not the primary criterion being validated here. In summary, accuracy is the most relevant criterion being validated in this scenario as the nurse's theory is being assessed based on its predictive accuracy in relation to the soldiers' needs in Iraq.

Question 5 of 9

A hospital is concerned that the number of medication errors has increased significantly in the past year. A project revealed four causes of medication errors. The above chart was used to help staff and administration know where to focus efforts to reduce errors. Which process improvement tool is used in this situation?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pareto chart. A Pareto chart is a quality improvement tool used to prioritize and focus efforts on the most significant causes of a problem. In this case, the hospital used the chart to identify the main causes of medication errors, helping them to allocate resources efficiently. The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, making it a powerful tool for process improvement. A: Run chart is used to track data over time but does not prioritize causes like a Pareto chart. C: Flowcharts are used to map out processes and are helpful for understanding the sequence of activities, not for prioritizing causes. D: Cause-and-effect diagrams (Fishbone or Ishikawa diagram) are used to identify and organize potential causes of a problem but do not prioritize them like a Pareto chart. In summary, the Pareto chart is the most appropriate tool in this situation because it helps focus efforts on the most significant causes

Question 6 of 9

According to the Hallmarks of the Professional Nursing Environment, a nurse should ask a potential employer:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): Asking about the role nurses have in determining the quality of care is crucial to understanding the level of autonomy and influence nurses have in the workplace. This question shows the nurse's commitment to patient care and the importance of nursing contributions in improving outcomes. It also indicates the nurse's interest in being part of a collaborative healthcare team. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: This question focuses primarily on financial aspects and does not address the nurse's professional role in patient care. B: While benefits are important, asking about benefits specific to RNs only may come off as self-centered and not reflective of the nurse's commitment to patient care. D: Inquiring about long-term economic security is essential, but it does not directly address the nurse's role in quality care delivery, which is the primary focus of professional nursing practice.

Question 7 of 9

In February 2010, Congress passed legislation to support universal health care for all Americans. At a local health fair, an individual asks about the difference between universal health care and a single payer system. The nurse explains the difference is that:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in a universal health care system, one universal payer (often the government) is responsible for covering all health care expenses for all citizens. This means that everyone, regardless of income or eligibility, is covered under the same system. Choice B is incorrect because a single-payer system does not necessarily limit health care access based on income; it simply means there is one entity responsible for paying health care costs. Choice C is incorrect because single-payer systems do not rely on insurance companies to pay fees; instead, the single payer itself covers the costs directly. Choice D is incorrect because it does not specify that the one payer in a universal health care system is usually the government, which is a key distinction in this context.

Question 8 of 9

A hospital refused to purchase a better grade of utility gloves, even after learning that the cheaper utility gloves are easily punctured during routine use. This unsafe situation led nurses to seek unionization. During the pre-election phase for unionization, which actions by union representatives are prohibited by the National Labor Relations Board? (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because distributing nondocumented information about gender-based performance evaluations violates the National Labor Relations Act, which prohibits making false statements about an employer. This action could potentially mislead employees and interfere with the election process. Choices A, C, and D are not prohibited actions by the National Labor Relations Board. Choice A involves a legal and common method of gauging interest in unionization. Choice C involves providing information about union benefits and grievances, which is a protected activity. Choice D is permissible as long as it does not contain false or coercive statements.

Question 9 of 9

Current trends in telecommunications and increased mobility of nurses have led to the approval of a mutual recognition model of nursing regulation, in which nurses are allowed to practice in states that are compact states without obtaining a license in each state. On which website would a nurse find a list of current compact states?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). NCSBN manages the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in compact states without obtaining additional licenses. Nurses can find a list of current compact states on the NCSBN website. NLN (A) focuses on nursing education, not regulation. AACN (C) is an organization for academic nursing programs. CCNE (D) accredits nursing education programs, not regulatory information.

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