What uniquely twenty-first century issue challenges today's professional nurse. (select all that apply)

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Caring for an aging population. This is a uniquely twenty-first-century issue as advancements in healthcare have increased life expectancy, leading to a larger elderly population with complex healthcare needs. Nurses must adapt their skills and knowledge to provide specialized care for this demographic. B: Increased patient acuity is a common challenge but not unique to the twenty-first century. Nurses have always dealt with varying levels of patient acuity. C: Access to health care services is an ongoing issue that has been prevalent for many years, not specifically unique to the twenty-first century. D: Expanding technology is also a significant challenge for nurses in the modern era, but it is not uniquely a twenty-first-century issue as technology has been advancing for decades.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Spirit of Nursing statue honors all military nurses for their bravery and compassion. This is the correct answer because military nurses have demonstrated exceptional dedication and sacrifice in providing care to wounded soldiers during times of conflict. They embody the spirit of selflessness and service that is essential in the nursing profession. Incorrect answers: A: Florence Nightingale is known for her contributions to nursing and public health, but the statue specifically honors military nurses. B: Edith Cavell was a nurse who helped Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during WWI, not related to the Tuskegee experiment. C: Clara Maas was a nurse who volunteered for yellow fever experiments, but her work was not during WWII and did not lead to a cure for the disease.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: The question asks about the reason for the nursing shortage and references the National Survey of Registered Nurses. Step 2: Choice C states that practicing registered nurses are satisfied with their jobs and most remain with the same employer they worked for the previous year. Step 3: This suggests that the nursing shortage is not due to registered nurses being unhappy with their jobs and leaving. Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it directly addresses the misconception presented in the question. Step 5: Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the information provided in the National Survey of Registered Nurses and do not address the actual reason for the nursing shortage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the nurse in matched scrubs with a lab coat and minimal jewelry portrays professionalism and adherence to safety standards. The lab coat signifies a commitment to infection control and respect for the clinical environment. The hair being pulled back ensures cleanliness and prevents hair from falling into a patient's wound. Small stud earrings are safe and do not pose a risk of injury to the nurse or patient. Choice B is incorrect because mismatched scrubs and large hoop earrings may not reflect professionalism or attention to detail, which are crucial in nursing practice. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse in a white uniform with apron and no jewelry may seem traditional but lacks the modern approach and attention to safety standards displayed by choice A. Choice D is incorrect because the nurse with nose and eyebrow piercings, despite wearing a starched white uniform and cap, may not be perceived as a professional and may not adhere to conservative workplace standards.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: performance-based assessment. This type of evaluation focuses on assessing students' ability to perform tasks and demonstrate competence in real-world scenarios, such as client care environments or with standardized patients. It is a more practical and hands-on approach compared to traditional pencil-and-paper evaluations. Core practice competencies (A) refer to essential skills and knowledge required for a specific profession. Continuing competence (B) involves ongoing professional development to maintain skills and knowledge. Distance learning (C) is a method of education that does not require physical presence in a traditional classroom setting. Performance-based assessment best aligns with the description provided in the question, making it the correct choice.