ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nursing executive team met to review last year's productivity metric to strategize for the upcoming year's metric. The team wants to be certain the productivity metric shows productivity was:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: balanced. In a professional setting, a balanced productivity metric indicates that productivity was at an optimal level, not too high or too low. This implies that the team wants to ensure that productivity was neither excessively high nor low, but rather appropriately managed. Option A (high) and B (low) are incorrect as they represent extreme ends of the spectrum, which may not accurately reflect the desired productivity level. Option D (iterative) is incorrect because it refers to a process of repetition and refinement, which is not directly related to the level of productivity achieved. Therefore, the most suitable choice in this context is C: balanced, as it aligns with the team's goal of maintaining an optimal level of productivity.
Question 2 of 9
A clinical nurse leader (CNL) enters the workforce and hopes to use her interdisciplinary skills to participate on a quality improvement committee. The coordinator of the quality group invites the CNL to join the group. Which type of power is demonstrated by the coordinator of the group?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Legitimate. The coordinator's power is based on their legitimate authority to invite individuals to join the quality improvement committee. Legitimate power is derived from one's position or role within an organization, giving them the right to make decisions and direct activities. In this scenario, the coordinator's invitation is based on their legitimate authority as the leader of the quality group. Choice A: Coercive power involves the use of threats or punishment to influence others, which is not evident in the scenario. Choice B: Transformational power focuses on inspiring and motivating others to achieve a common goal, which is not explicitly demonstrated in the scenario. Choice C: Laissez-faire power involves a hands-off approach to leadership, allowing individuals to make their own decisions without much guidance, which is not applicable in this scenario.
Question 3 of 9
A hospital recently learned that their scorecard did not meet the national benchmark for patient satisfaction and brought in a professional change agent to determine what their issues were and how they could improve their score. The agent collected data and recommended that nurses participate in interdisciplinary walking rounds and allow the patient and family to be participants. Nurses now round every shift and perform "huddles to update the team" as needed throughout the shift as part of best practices. Random visits are made to nursing units to ensure all nurses are participating and patients are interviewed for their involvement. This stage of Lewin's change is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: moving. In Lewin's change management model, the process involves three stages: unfreeze, move, and refreeze. In this scenario, the hospital has already identified the need for change (unfreeze) by recognizing the issue with patient satisfaction scores. The change agent's recommendations and the implementation of interdisciplinary walking rounds and involving patients and families in rounds indicate the active phase of making changes and transitioning to new practices (moving). The actions taken, such as rounding every shift, updating the team through huddles, monitoring nurse participation, and interviewing patients, all demonstrate movement towards the desired change. Refreeze would come after the changes have been successfully implemented to stabilize and institutionalize the new practices. The options A (unfreeze) and C (refreeze) are incorrect as the hospital is currently in the implementation phase of change, and option D (resistance) does not apply as there is no indication of significant resistance to the proposed changes in the scenario provided.
Question 4 of 9
During the night, a patient fell in the bathroom and sustained a hip injury. The patient was very upset because of being unable to attend a granddaughter's wedding in 2 days. The team looked at the process and determined that the patient had been medicated with a narcotic, had urinary urgency so had not taken the time to put on shoes, failed to turn on the light because the door to the hall let in some light, and stumbled over a towel that had been placed to collect water leaks caused by construction that was in progress to replace damaged sinks. Which factor was a special cause variation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Improper construction that caused the leak and towel placement. This is a special cause variation because it is an external factor outside the patient's control that directly contributed to the incident. The construction causing water leaks and the placement of a towel to collect water created a hazardous environment leading to the fall. The other choices, A, B, and C, are common cause variations as they are related to the patient's behavior or medical condition which could have been managed or controlled within the usual process.
Question 5 of 9
The primary purpose of licensure for RNs is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice C: 1. Licensure ensures RNs meet minimum standards to practice. 2. Protects the public from incompetent or unqualified nurses. 3. Ensures RNs adhere to ethical and legal standards. 4. Maintains accountability and promotes safe patient care. Summary: A: Incorrect, as licensure is not primarily about title protection. B: Incorrect, as while RNs demonstrate knowledge, licensure is broader. D: Incorrect, as enhancing recognition is not the primary goal of licensure.
Question 6 of 9
A group of nurses interested in unionizing decides to contact the largest union in the United States representing registered nurses, which is the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: National Nurses United. This is because National Nurses United is the largest union in the United States specifically representing registered nurses. They have a strong presence in advocating for nurses' rights and providing resources for unionizing efforts. A: American Nurses Association is a professional organization, not a union. B: United American Nurses was dissolved in 2009, so it is not the largest union. D: National Labor Relations Board is a government agency overseeing labor relations, not a union representing nurses.
Question 7 of 9
A nursing unit's census consists primarily of long-term residents with a high risk for falls. To meet new safety regulations, the nurse manager must plan to replace all 50 patient beds with new beds equipped with Fall Watch electronic sensors that will detect when patients get out of bed. The manager will be involved in which type of budgeting to replace the beds?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Capital budgeting. Capital budgeting involves planning and managing significant expenditures for long-term assets like equipment and facilities. In this scenario, replacing all 50 patient beds with new beds equipped with Fall Watch electronic sensors is a major investment in a long-term asset. The nurse manager is making a strategic decision that will impact the nursing unit's operations for an extended period. Summary: A: Fiscal budgeting focuses on revenues and expenses for a specific period, not long-term asset investments. B: Labor budgeting pertains to planning and managing labor costs, not capital investments. C: Operational budgeting involves day-to-day expenses and activities, not major capital expenditures like replacing all patient beds.
Question 8 of 9
An acute care facility values job satisfaction among its registered nurses.by implementing a shared governance model. Which element is a fundamental characteristic of this model?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because shared governance involves empowering nurses to participate in decision-making related to patient care. This element is fundamental as it promotes autonomy, collaboration, and professional growth among nurses. Option A is incorrect as an open-door policy does not necessarily imply shared governance. Option B, dispute resolution, is important but not a fundamental characteristic of shared governance. Option C, mandatory reporting, does not align with the collaborative nature of shared governance. In summary, nurses having an active role in patient care decision making is crucial for the successful implementation of a shared governance model.
Question 9 of 9
While completing a nursing degree in Virginia, a student who is interested in teaching in Laredo, Texas, enrolls in Spanish classes for 4 years, knowing that a high number of Mexican-Americans live there. This nursing student values:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: cultural competence. By enrolling in Spanish classes to better communicate with Mexican-Americans in Laredo, the nursing student is demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Cultural competence involves having the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This student's actions show a commitment to providing culturally sensitive care in a multicultural setting. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. The student's actions of learning Spanish do not align with this mindset. C: Prejudice involves preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a group. The student's actions are aimed at improving cross-cultural understanding, not perpetuating negative stereotypes. D: Stereotyping involves making assumptions about individuals based on their group membership. The student's choice to learn Spanish is about building connections and understanding, not generalizing about an entire group.