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
The use of research to guide nursing practice is called:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilization. Research utilization refers to the application of research findings in nursing practice to improve patient outcomes. Utilization involves integrating research evidence into clinical decision-making. Dissemination (B) refers to sharing research findings. Generalizability (C) pertains to the extent to which research findings can be applied to different populations or settings. Analysis (D) involves examining data to draw conclusions, but it does not specifically relate to using research in practice like utilization does.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse learns in orientation that an incident report does not "blame" anyone but concisely documents the events leading up to an occurrence. Which events would warrant completion of an incident report? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it involves a medical error that could potentially harm the patient. An incident report is necessary to document such events for quality improvement and patient safety. Choice A does not involve a preventable adverse event, so it does not require an incident report. Choice C is related to communication issues and can be resolved without an incident report. Choice D involves a patient fall, which is a reportable event, but the client was informed not to get up alone, making it less urgent for an incident report compared to a medication error.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse walks up to a computer in the hallway and presses the index finger to the sensor, thereby gaining access to patient datA few moments later another nurse performs the same steps and is granted access. A visitor who is watching from a room walks over and places the index finger on the sensor, only to receive an "error and access denied" message. Security is being maintained by:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: biometric technology. Biometric technology uses unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, to verify identity. In this scenario, the nurse and the other authorized person were granted access because their fingerprints matched the stored data. The visitor was denied access because their fingerprint did not match. A: Robot technology is not related to verifying identity through fingerprints. C: Telehealth is a method of providing healthcare remotely and is not related to access control. D: Ubiquitous computing refers to the idea of computing technology being everywhere, but it is not directly related to biometric security measures like fingerprint scanning.
Question 5 of 9
A physician complains to administration that the nurse working last evening is unethical, based on observing the nurse educate the patient about a new medication ordered. The physician demanded the nurse be reprimanded and reminded that only physicians have the educational background to teach patients about new medications. Which comment and action by the administrator would be most effective in changing nurse-physician relationships in this instance?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The administrator acknowledges the physician's concern to maintain a professional relationship. Step 2: The administrator educates the physician that patient education on medications falls within the nurse's scope of practice. Step 3: The administrator addresses the nurse and physician to ensure both are informed of the resolution. Step 4: This approach promotes mutual understanding and respect between nurse and physician. Summary: Option C is the correct answer as it acknowledges the physician's concern, educates on scope of practice, and fosters communication between both parties. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they either punish the nurse unjustly, fail to educate the physician, or involve unrelated parties in the decision-making process.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is admitting a Mexican-American child, and the mother comments that the child was exposed to mal ojo. The nurse should expect to find which symptom associated with this exposure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nervous tension. Mal ojo, commonly known as the evil eye, is a belief in many Latin American cultures that certain people have the power to cause harm with their gaze. Symptoms associated with mal ojo typically include nervous tension, irritability, and restlessness. Fever (choice A) is not a common symptom of mal ojo. Bruising (choice C) is also not typically associated with mal ojo. Somnolence (choice D) refers to excessive sleepiness, which is not a common symptom of mal ojo. Therefore, the correct answer is B as it aligns with the cultural belief and expected symptoms of mal ojo.
Question 7 of 9
The staff on a nursing unit notes that patient satisfaction varies from month to month. They plot the degree of patient satisfaction each month for 1 year to determine when the periods of greatest dissatisfaction are occurring. The staff uses which type of graph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Time plot. A time plot is the most appropriate graph for displaying data over time to identify trends and patterns. In this scenario, plotting patient satisfaction levels monthly over a year allows the staff to analyze fluctuations and identify periods of greatest dissatisfaction accurately. Summary of other choices: B: Pareto chart - Pareto charts are used to display the frequency of occurrences in a dataset in descending order. It is not suitable for analyzing trends over time. C: Flowchart - Flowcharts are used to represent processes and workflows, not suitable for displaying time-series data. D: Cause-and-effect diagram - Cause-and-effect diagrams are used to identify and analyze potential causes of a problem, not suitable for displaying time-series data.
Question 8 of 9
Nurses in a nonprofit hospital have expressed an interest in forming a union to secure fair wages and ensure client safety. To form a core support group of nurses, the union organizer can conduct meetings to gather initial information:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because conducting meetings at the worksite with respected staff nurses allows for direct engagement with potential union supporters. This approach fosters a sense of unity and trust among the nurses, making it easier to form a core support group. Additionally, meeting at the worksite enables easy access for all nurses and ensures a safe and neutral environment for discussions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because: A: Meeting away from the worksite with managers may create a conflict of interest and could lead to a biased understanding of the situation. C: Meeting in homes or local businesses may not provide a professional setting for discussions and may not be convenient for all nurses to attend. D: Photographing management meetings and discussing their strategies is unethical and could potentially harm the relationship between nurses and management.
Question 9 of 9
It is important for nurses to know the functions of the branches of the federal government. At a local meeting of the state nurses' association, an officer reminds members that the branch that is capable of originating major policy initiatives is thebranch.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: legislative. The legislative branch, which consists of Congress, is responsible for creating and enacting laws, including major policy initiatives. This branch has the power to propose, debate, and pass legislation that shapes public policy. The executive branch (choice A) enforces laws, the judicial branch (choice C) interprets laws, and the administrative branch (choice D) oversees the implementation of laws. In this context, the legislative branch is the primary entity for originating major policy initiatives, making it crucial for nurses to understand its functions.