ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 2 of 5
Nurses working on an orthopedic unit use personal digital assistants (PDAs) to review medications prior to administration to reduce potential drug interactions. Software is also installed that provides video clips of common procedures performed by nurses. Nurses on this unit are best demonstrating which QSEN competencies?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Informatics. Nurses on the orthopedic unit are demonstrating informatics competency by using PDAs for medication review and accessing video clips for procedures. This showcases their ability to utilize technology to enhance patient care. Patient-centered care (A) focuses on individualized care, teamwork (C) emphasizes collaboration, and quality improvement (D) pertains to enhancing processes. The use of technology in this scenario aligns most closely with the informatics competency, making it the best choice.
Question 3 of 5
Time is becoming crucial for the nurse to address issues related to sponsoring programs to include hearing aid costs as part of Medicare coverage. The nurse involved in grassroots political actions realizes that the least timely method of reaching elected officials would be via:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: letter. Writing a physical letter and sending it through traditional mail is the least timely method of reaching elected officials. It takes longer for letters to be delivered and processed compared to other electronic forms of communication like telephone, email, and fax. Elected officials may not receive and respond to letters in a timely manner, especially when time is crucial. Telephone, email, and fax offer quicker and more direct communication, allowing for faster responses and action. Therefore, choosing to reach out to elected officials via a letter would be the least timely method in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
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.
Question 5 of 5
In the near future, the largest segment of the population will be those over age 65 years. To advocate for this vulnerable population, a nurse was a strong supporter for the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D), which:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare Part D) provided coverage for medications that constituted a huge expense for the elderly. This is crucial for the aging population as they often require multiple medications for chronic conditions. Choice A is incorrect because vision care benefits for legally blind individuals are usually covered under Medicare Part B. Choice B is incorrect as the act specifically focused on medication coverage, not mental health/substance abuse services. Choice D is incorrect as the act did not directly address expanding practice opportunities for APRNs, but rather focused on medication coverage for the elderly population.