ATI RN
Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Three illegal immigrants with no health insurance or money sustained life-threatening injuries during an automobile accident. Two of these individuals had head trauma and lacerated internal organs. The decision was made to provide extended care in the trauma center after emergency surgery was performed to save their lives. The third individual received only minor injuries, which were treated in the emergency department. The care of the two critical clients was based on the ethical principle of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that focuses on maximizing overall well-being and minimizing harm. In this scenario, the decision to provide extended care to the two critical individuals with life-threatening injuries aligns with utilitarianism as it prioritizes saving the most lives and reducing suffering. By choosing to allocate resources to those with the most severe injuries, the healthcare providers are aiming to maximize the overall benefit to society. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Deontology focuses on following rules and duties regardless of the consequences. In this case, the decision to provide care based on severity of injuries goes against a strict deontological approach. C: Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' rights to make their own decisions about their care, which is not the primary consideration in this scenario. D: Veracity pertains to honesty and truthfulness in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision-making process in this healthcare scenario.
Question 2 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 3 of 9
A nurse studied a community to determine if there were clients who would benefit from a hospice program if one were developed. This type of research is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: a needs assessment method. A needs assessment method is used to identify gaps or deficiencies in services, programs, or resources in a community. In this scenario, the nurse is determining if there is a need for a hospice program, which aligns with the purpose of a needs assessment. A survey (choice A) involves collecting data from a sample group to gather insights, but it doesn't necessarily focus on identifying specific needs. Quasi-experimental (choice B) and pilot study (choice D) are research designs used to test interventions or programs, which are not the primary goal in this case.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is submitting a grant application to improve access to health care and mortality for minority groups. The grant focuses on the six causes of death that are identified as priorities for minorities, which include:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is because COPD is a leading cause of death among minority groups due to factors like smoking, pollution exposure, and healthcare disparities. This aligns with the grant's goal of improving health outcomes for minorities. Malnutrition (B) is not a top cause of death for minorities. Cirrhosis of the liver (C) is more common in certain populations but not a top priority for this grant. Cancer (D) is a significant concern, but COPD is more prevalent among minority groups.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
In recent Gallop Polls, nurses were voted as the most honest with the highest ethical standards of all professions. How does this degree of professionalism affect nurses' desire to participate in organized strikes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because nurses being voted as the most honest and ethical profession indicates their strong commitment to patient care and ethics. Therefore, nurses may find participating in strikes conflicting with their core values of serving and protecting patients. This conflict can deter nurses from engaging in union activities like strikes, as they prioritize patient well-being over their own interests. A is incorrect because while nurses prioritize client safety, participating in strikes may not always align with this goal. B is incorrect as evidence-based studies may support various perspectives, but nurses' ethical standards and commitment to patient care are the primary factors influencing their decision to engage in strikes. D is incorrect as legal repercussions for striking nurses focus on professional misconduct rather than the ethical dilemma nurses face when considering strikes.
Question 7 of 9
The primary purpose of the Social Security Act of 1935 was to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: ensure health care for older adults through a national insurance system. The Social Security Act of 1935 established social insurance programs to provide financial support for retired and elderly individuals. This was done through the implementation of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. The Act aimed to address the economic insecurity faced by older adults and their families by providing a safety net through a national insurance system. Incorrect answers: A: Increasing research on minority groups was not the primary purpose of the Social Security Act of 1935. B: Providing medical care for chemically impaired persons was not the primary focus of the Act. D: Decreasing the public's financial burden by limiting services offered by local health departments was not the primary goal of the Act.
Question 8 of 9
During the relief response phase of a disaster resulting from a "dirty bomb":
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because during the relief response phase of a "dirty bomb" disaster, victims are likely to suffer from burns and poisoning due to radiation exposure. Providing treatment for burns and poisoning is crucial to saving lives and preventing further health complications. Choice B is incorrect because emergency plans coordination typically occurs during the preparedness phase, not the relief response phase. Choice C is incorrect as reconstruction usually takes place in the recovery phase, which follows the relief response phase. Choice D is incorrect as collecting food stores is more related to preparedness or immediate response, not specifically during the relief response phase.
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.