ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
The number of reported medical errors demonstrates a need for what priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Simulation experiences. This intervention allows healthcare professionals to practice real-life scenarios in a controlled environment, improving skills and decision-making. It helps identify and address potential errors before they occur, enhancing patient safety. Other choices lack the hands-on, practical approach of simulations and may not adequately prepare professionals for real-world situations. Simulation experiences are crucial for enhancing clinical competence and reducing medical errors.
Question 2 of 9
To conduct a productive meeting, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because creating an agenda with specific times allotted for each agenda item helps in ensuring a focused and efficient meeting. It allows for proper time management, ensures all important topics are covered, and keeps the meeting on track. Providing unlimited time for each person (A) can lead to inefficiency and derail the meeting. Covering emotional topics first (B) may not be appropriate for all meetings and could affect the flow. Waiting for latecomers and asking for excuses (D) disrupts the meeting schedule and sets a precedent for unpunctuality.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse moves from California to Arkansas and due to having 20 years of experience as a registered nurse is immediately placed in charge of the telemetry unit. The staffing consists of LPNs and two unlicensed assistive personnel. The RN is unsure of the scope of practice of the LPNs and reviews the nurse practice act for Arkansas, which lacks clarity on some tasks. The RN should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: contact the state board of nursing to determine legal scope of practice for LPNs. This is the most appropriate action because the state board of nursing is the authoritative body that governs nursing practice within a specific state. By contacting the board, the RN can get accurate and up-to-date information on the legal scope of practice for LPNs in Arkansas. This ensures compliance with state regulations and avoids any potential legal issues. A: Querying the state nursing association may provide some insight, but the state board of nursing is the official entity that regulates nursing practice. B: Asking the LPNs about their tasks may not provide a comprehensive understanding of their legal scope of practice and could lead to misunderstandings. D: Referring to California's nurse practice act is irrelevant as each state has its own regulations, and assuming consistency across states can lead to incorrect assumptions.
Question 4 of 9
A bill is pending in the state legislature that will mandate teaching health promotion related to smoking cessation. Which action by the nurse should have the greatest impact on passage of the bill?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Contact the elected representative's office by telephone to request support for the bill. This action is the most direct and effective way to influence the passage of the bill. By directly contacting the elected representative, the nurse can advocate for the importance of the bill and provide relevant information to garner their support. This direct communication with the decision-maker holds significant weight in influencing their vote on the bill. A: Explaining the rationale to the school board may be informative, but the school board may not have direct influence on the state legislature. C: Supporting a health advocate to run for election is a long-term strategy and may not have an immediate impact on the passage of the bill. D: Telling all students about the bill may raise awareness but may not directly influence the lawmakers' decisions.
Question 5 of 9
During height and weight assessments at a school's health fair, a child admits to drinking a cup of coffee with his mother every morning, and another child reports enjoying a morning cup of coffee on the commute to school. These two children are both below average on the height chart, and the nurse states, "Drinking coffee stunts a child's growth." This logical fallacy is referred to as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: confusing cause and effect. The nurse's statement implies that drinking coffee causes the children to be below average in height, which is a logical fallacy. Height is determined by genetics, nutrition, and overall health factors, not by drinking coffee. The nurse is mistakenly attributing the children's height to their coffee consumption without considering other relevant factors. This error in reasoning is known as confusing cause and effect. A: Appeal to common practice is when an argument is justified based on the fact that many people do it, which is not relevant to the coffee consumption issue. C: Ad hominem abusive is attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself, which is not the case here. D: Red herring is when irrelevant information is used to distract from the main issue, which is not the case in this scenario.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is assisting with the delivery of twins. The first infant is placed on the scale to be weighed. The physician requests an instrument stat. The nurse turns to hand the instrument to the physician, and the infant falls off the scale. When evaluating the incident, the nurse and her manager list contributory factors such as the need for two nurses when multiple births are known, and the location of the scale so far from the delivery field. These nurses are performing a(n):
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: root cause analysis. Root cause analysis involves identifying the underlying causes of an incident to prevent its recurrence. In this scenario, the nurse and manager are examining factors contributing to the infant falling off the scale. They are looking beyond the immediate event to understand the systemic issues that led to the incident, such as the need for additional staff during multiple births and the placement of the scale far from the delivery field. By conducting a root cause analysis, they aim to address these underlying issues and prevent similar incidents in the future. A: Standardization of care refers to consistent application of best practices, which is not the focus of the nurse and manager's actions in this situation. C: Process variation involves analyzing inconsistencies in processes, which is not the primary concern in this incident. D: Analysis of a deployment flowchart examines the flow of resources in a process, which is not directly related to identifying the root causes of the incident.
Question 7 of 9
Which types of abuse are the nurse required to report or be subject to fines and imprisonment for not reporting? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Child abuse. Nurses are mandated reporters of child abuse, meaning they are legally required to report any suspected or witnessed cases to the appropriate authorities. Failure to report can result in fines and imprisonment. Child abuse is a serious issue that requires immediate intervention to protect the safety and well-being of the child. Explanation for incorrect choices: A: Animal abuse - While animal abuse is also a serious concern, nurses are not legally required to report it in the same way as child abuse. C: Alcohol abuse - Nurses may provide assistance and support for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse, but it is not a mandatory reporting requirement. D: Infant abuse - While abuse of infants falls under the category of child abuse, the specific term "infant abuse" is not a separate reporting requirement for nurses.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is interested in understanding the meaning of the human experience of surviving polio. Subject recruitment targets persons who have been diagnosed with the disease. The researcher reflects on the data and identifies common themes in order to understand the "lived experience." These characteristics are consistent with the qualitative research method known as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: phenomenology. Phenomenology focuses on exploring and understanding individuals' lived experiences to uncover the essence of a phenomenon. In this case, the nurse is interested in understanding the meaning of surviving polio from the perspective of those diagnosed with the disease. By reflecting on the data and identifying common themes, the researcher aims to capture the essence of the human experience of surviving polio. Grounded theory (A) is a method used to develop theories from data, not necessarily focusing on the lived experience. Ethnography (B) involves studying cultures and societies, which is not directly aligned with understanding individual experiences. Case study (D) typically focuses on in-depth analysis of a specific individual or group, rather than exploring common themes across individuals' experiences.
Question 9 of 9
Nurse practice acts:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nurse practice acts are written and passed by legislators. This is because nurse practice acts are laws that govern the scope of practice for nurses, outlining their responsibilities, licensure requirements, and standards of care. Legislators create and pass these acts to ensure public safety and regulate the nursing profession. Choice B is incorrect because special interest groups can influence legislation. Choice C is incorrect as nurse practice acts also apply to other types of nurses, not just RNs. Choice D is incorrect as dentist practices are governed by separate laws and regulations.