ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
The precise classification of clients according to the highest diagnosis-related group (DRG) has created a new role for nurses, known as a nurse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: case management. Case management involves coordinating care for patients to ensure they receive appropriate services and resources. DRGs determine reimbursement based on patient diagnoses, making accurate classification crucial. Nurses in case management play a key role in ensuring patients are placed in the correct DRG category for optimal care and reimbursement. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Quality assurance focuses on monitoring and improving the quality of care, not specifically tied to DRG classification. C: Utilization review involves assessing the appropriateness and necessity of healthcare services, not directly related to DRG classification. D: Cost-control pertains to managing healthcare costs, but does not address the specific role of nurses in DRG classification and patient care coordination.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse notices that care is often withheld until an interpreter arrives, if the nurse is not multilingual. The nurse discusses this with the management team and suggests a three- part series be presented to the nursing staff to teach some commonly used medical terms in Spanish. This nurse is involved in the role of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: change agent. The nurse is acting as a change agent by identifying a problem (care being withheld until an interpreter arrives) and proposing a solution (teaching common medical terms in Spanish). As a change agent, the nurse is promoting positive change within the organization to improve patient care. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Educator - While the nurse is providing education, the primary role in this scenario is not solely that of an educator. C: Manager - The nurse is not directly managing staff or resources in this scenario. D: Coordinator - The nurse is not primarily coordinating activities or resources in this scenario.
Question 3 of 9
Each month data on admission assessments that are based on the following standard are entered: "All patients will be assessed by an RN within 2 hours of admission." The target goal for this standard is 97% compliance. Data are displayed on a graph that shows number and time of admission assessments and compliance variation limits. This pictorial representation is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: control chart. A control chart is used to display data over time and indicate variations within set limits, making it ideal for monitoring compliance with a standard like "All patients will be assessed by an RN within 2 hours of admission." The control chart allows for easy identification of trends, shifts, or patterns that may indicate a need for corrective action to maintain the 97% compliance goal. A: Pareto chart is used to identify the most significant factors contributing to a problem, not to monitor compliance over time. C: Deployment chart is not a standard tool in quality control or process monitoring. D: A top-down flowchart is used to depict the sequence of steps in a process, not to monitor compliance with a standard over time.
Question 4 of 9
A patient has fallen at home and complains that joints are very painful when trying to climb stairs. The patient desires to use an alternative complementary medicine rather than pain medication. The practitioner begins treatment with touch consisting of rocking, rhythmical motions to loosen tense, sore muscles and joints. The patient is receiving which type of treatment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Trager approach. This treatment involves gentle rocking and rhythmic motions to release tension in muscles and joints. The goal is to improve mobility and reduce pain. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Swedish massage focuses on kneading and rubbing muscles, not specifically on rhythmic motions to release tension. B: Rolfing is a deep tissue manipulation technique aimed at realigning the body's structure, not specifically utilizing rocking and rhythmic motions. D: Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the hands, feet, or ears to promote healing, not utilizing rocking and rhythmic motions.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is brought in who testifies that a professional with the knowledge and skill of an RN should understand that, before administering this drug, potassium level and pulse level is always checked to prevent such an occurrence. The nurse's testimony as to what constitutes reasonable care is based on:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the legal definition of standard of care. In healthcare, the standard of care refers to the level of care that a reasonably prudent healthcare professional would provide in similar circumstances. Checking potassium level and pulse before administering a drug is considered standard practice to prevent adverse reactions. The nurse's testimony is based on this standard of care requirement to ensure patient safety and avoid potential harm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the concept of standard of care in healthcare practice. B pertains to patient consent, C to the doctrine of "the thing speaks for itself," and D to immunity from liability for certain actions.
Question 6 of 9
A staff nurse provides care based on intuition and always seems to be in control of her personal and professional life, serving on the board of the state nurses association, serving as the nursing unit's representative on the ethics committee, and coaching her daughter's soft ball team. Many of the staff observes how she manages time and provides care. This nurse's power comes from which type of power?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Referent power. Referent power is based on an individual's personal characteristics that others admire and seek to emulate. In this case, the nurse's ability to manage time effectively, maintain control in her personal and professional life, and serve in various leadership roles demonstrates her influence over others through admiration and respect. It is not legitimate power (B) as her authority does not stem from a formal position. It is not information power (C) as her power is not derived from possessing or sharing specific knowledge. It is not connection power (D) as her influence is not based on her network or relationships but rather on her personal qualities.
Question 7 of 9
A new nurse researcher is interested in tracing the history of nursing research. The researcher learns that nursing research began with:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because Florence Nightingale is widely recognized as the pioneer of modern nursing research. During the Crimean War, she collected and analyzed data on patient care outcomes, demonstrating the importance of evidence-based practice in nursing. This laid the foundation for the development of nursing research as a formal discipline. Choice B is incorrect as nursing research did not start between 1900 and 1940, but rather with Nightingale's work. Choice C is incorrect because the focus of nursing research was not solely on doctorally prepared nurses but on improving patient care in general. Choice D is incorrect as the naturalistic paradigm is just one approach to research and not the starting point for nursing research.
Question 8 of 9
The RN who identifies the best resources at the lowest cost to achieve optimal health outcomes for the client is fulfilling the role of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: case manager. A case manager coordinates resources to achieve optimal health outcomes for clients efficiently. They assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care while considering cost-effectiveness. Informatics specialists focus on data and technology, educators provide knowledge, and quality managers ensure high standards. In this scenario, the key role is coordinating resources, making C the best choice.
Question 9 of 9
Health care is one of the major stories in newspaper and television and a group of nurses are interested in how the economy impacts their nursing practice. The group critiques the relationship between contemporary economic trends and professional nursing practice and finds:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because pay for performance initiatives incentivize nurses to improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and following best practices. This directly links economic incentives to nursing practice. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG system primarily affects hospital reimbursement, not nursing shortages. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the type of care, not the economic impact on nursing practice. Choice D is incorrect as economic factors like funding, resources, and reimbursement significantly influence nursing practice.