What is the main purpose of a healthcare proxy?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The main purpose of a healthcare proxy is to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient when the patient is unable to do so. This includes decisions about treatment options, procedures, and end-of-life care. A healthcare proxy does not manage financial affairs (A), provide legal representation (C), or oversee patient discharge planning (D). These roles are typically carried out by different individuals or entities with specific responsibilities. The core function of a healthcare proxy is to ensure that the patient's medical wishes and best interests are upheld when they are unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Planning. Planning is the stage where individuals evaluate existing routines, analyze data, and consider potential alternatives for better action. During planning, people reflect on past practices, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies for improvement. Collection of data (A) is essential for informed decision-making but doesn't necessarily involve critical reflection on routines. Analyzing data (C) focuses on interpreting and drawing conclusions from data rather than directly reevaluating routines. Identification (D) involves recognizing issues but doesn't inherently lead to considering better courses of action. Therefore, planning is the most appropriate choice for prompting people to think about improving their routines.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Satisficing. Satisficing is a decision-making strategy where one aims to meet the minimum requirements or standards to achieve a satisfactory outcome given the constraints. In this scenario, the nurse manager chooses to manage the unit with the three remaining nurses to maintain minimal staffing standards, despite not having the full staff complement. This decision is based on satisficing as the manager is making the best of the situation with the available resources. Summary: B: Routine decision-making involves following established procedures and protocols, which may not be applicable in this situation. C: Adaptive decision-making involves adjusting to changing circumstances, but in this case, the manager is not adapting to the situation but rather making do with limited resources. D: Rationalizing decision-making involves justifying or explaining decisions, which is not the focus in this scenario where quick action is needed to maintain minimal staffing standards.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Patient care quality. Strategic planning in healthcare organizations primarily focuses on improving patient outcomes, safety, and overall quality of care. This ensures that the organization aligns its resources and goals towards enhancing patient well-being. Financial performance (A) is important but not the primary focus. Staff satisfaction (B) is crucial for employee engagement but not the main goal of strategic planning. Regulatory compliance (D) is essential but not the primary focus, as it is a requirement to ensure quality care rather than the main goal itself.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because choosing a puncture site in the center of the finger pad can lead to increased pain and potential nerve damage. Washing the puncture site with warm water and soap (A) is important for hygiene. Hanging the arm down before puncturing (C) can help with blood flow. Interpreting a blood sugar level of 120 mg as good control (D) is incorrect as it is above the normal range. By selecting the center of the finger pad, the patient risks causing unnecessary pain and nerve damage.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assist the client to an upright position. This is the priority intervention because placing the client in an upright position helps improve lung expansion and oxygenation by optimizing ventilation-perfusion matching. This position also reduces the risk of aspiration and improves overall respiratory function. Choice A (Suction the client's airway) is not the first intervention because difficulty breathing in this scenario is more likely due to positioning rather than airway obstruction. Choice B (Instruct the client to perform incentive spirometry every hour) is not the first intervention as it may not address the immediate issue of breathing difficulty related to supine positioning. Choice D (Humidify the client's supplemental oxygen) is not the first intervention as lack of humidification is not likely the cause of the client's difficulty breathing in this situation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ratification is the act of formally approving or confirming a previously unauthorized or informal agreement, making it legally binding. In the context of a contract, ratification occurs after the initial negotiation and agreement have taken place. Choice B, "Contract passage," aligns with this definition as it accurately describes the process of a contract being ratified or officially accepted. Choice A, "Contract administration," refers to the management of a contract after it has been ratified, not the ratification process itself. Choice C, "Contract denial," is incorrect as it opposes the concept of ratification. Choice D, "Contract reorganization," does not relate to the formal approval of a contract, making it an incorrect choice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the client's statement demonstrates a desire for comfort-focused care, which is the essence of palliative care for terminal cancer patients. The client is expressing a clear preference for measures that prioritize comfort and quality of life over aggressive treatment. This indicates readiness to receive information about palliative care. Choice A is incorrect because the client mentions chemotherapy for a cure, indicating a focus on curative treatment rather than comfort care. Choice B is incorrect as the client seems to be expressing a desire for a quick end to their suffering, which may not align with palliative care goals. Choice D is incorrect because the client is expressing unrealistic optimism about recovery, which may hinder acceptance of palliative care.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ability to pay for health care. This is because the affordability of health care services directly impacts policy changes. If individuals cannot afford healthcare, it drives policymakers to make changes to ensure access. A: New technology may influence healthcare policy, but it is not the primary driving force behind policy changes. B: Outsourcing of services is a factor in healthcare efficiency but not a primary driver of policy changes. C: The emerging role of nurse practitioners may impact healthcare delivery, but it is not the main driving force behind policy changes. In summary, the ability to pay for health care is the most significant driving force behind health care policy changes as it directly impacts access and affordability for individuals.