ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
What was the purpose of the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002 aimed to address the nursing shortage by focusing on nurse retention and safety enhancement grants. This legislation provided funding for programs to support nurses in their roles, improve working conditions, and ultimately retain experienced professionals in the field. This choice aligns with the primary goal of the act and its intended impact on the nursing workforce. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the main purpose of the Nurse Reinvestment Act. Choice A is not mentioned in the act and does not address the broader issue of nursing shortage. Choice B promotes unlicensed caregivers, which goes against the act's focus on professional nurses. Choice D is specific to pediatric nursing training grants and does not encompass the Act's comprehensive approach to nurse retention and safety enhancement.
Question 2 of 9
A male nurse hired to work in the emergency department is observed throwing a contaminated needle into the trash can. The team leader reprimands the nurse for not appropriately disposing of sharps. The nurse states, "You don't care that I threw the needle in the trash. You just want an all-female staff," putting the team leader in a defensive position. This communication technique is known as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: red herring. In this scenario, the male nurse deflects the issue of improper sharps disposal by accusing the team leader of having ulterior motives related to gender discrimination. This is a classic example of a red herring, where the nurse introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue. The nurse's response does not address the concern raised about sharps disposal but instead shifts the focus to an unrelated accusation. The other choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the communication technique used in the scenario. A straw man involves misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, slippery slope is a form of logical fallacy, and confusing cause and effect refers to a mistaken understanding of the relationship between two events.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse who has practiced for 1 year on a medical-surgical unit is very interested in a position in the operating room. She traces the nursing history of surgery to learn how nursing has evolved in this practice. To determine if, historically, surgery methods advanced the practice of nursing, select the correct statements. (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The "Barbers" of the Middle Ages used sterile techniques to reduce wound infections. This statement is correct because during the Middle Ages, barbers often performed surgical procedures and used techniques like boiling water and alcohol to sterilize instruments, reducing the risk of wound infections. This practice contributed to advancing the field of surgery and indirectly influenced nursing practice by emphasizing the importance of infection control. Incorrect choices: A: The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use anesthesia in the operating room - This statement is incorrect as anesthesia was not used in surgery until the 19th century. C: The Indian culture from 274 to 236 BC had hospitals staffed with female nurses who practiced much like today's nurses - This statement is incorrect as while Indian culture had early hospitals and female nurses, their practices were not comparable to modern nursing. D: During the Renaissance, advances in nursing education, including surgery, were nonexistent - This statement is incorrect as the Renaissance saw advancements in medical and surgical knowledge
Question 4 of 9
Which type of data analysis results in the non-numerical organization of data?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Qualitative. Qualitative data analysis involves organizing non-numerical data into themes, patterns, or categories. This type of analysis focuses on the quality and characteristics of the data rather than numerical values. Descriptive analysis (A) involves summarizing and presenting numerical data. Inferential analysis (B) involves making predictions or inferences about a population based on sample data. Quantitative analysis (D) involves working with numerical data to derive insights and conclusions. In this question, the focus is on the non-numerical organization of data, which aligns with qualitative analysis.
Question 5 of 9
A patient informs the nurse, "I burn a lavender-scented candle for an hour before bedtime to help me relax and sleep." The nurse realizes this patient is using:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the mind-body intervention of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses essential oils like lavender to promote relaxation and improve sleep. The scent of lavender can have calming effects on the mind and body, aiding in relaxation before bedtime. Qi gong (B) is a form of energy healing, Alexander technique (C) involves posture and movement, and conventional medicine (D) focuses on pharmaceutical or surgical interventions, none of which are directly related to using a lavender-scented candle for relaxation and sleep.
Question 6 of 9
Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) provided the delegatee has had experience and training?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because obtaining a sterile urine sample from a patient with a Foley catheter connected to a closed drainage system is a task that can be safely delegated to UAP who have experience and training. Here's the rationale: 1. Task Complexity: This task involves a straightforward procedure that does not require specialized medical knowledge. 2. Training and Experience: UAP can be trained to perform this task under supervision and with specific guidelines. 3. Minimal Risk: When performed correctly, obtaining a sterile urine sample carries minimal risk to the patient. 4. Routine Procedure: This task is a common and routine procedure that UAP can be trained to perform effectively. Other Choices: A: Evaluating the ability of a patient to swallow ice after a gastroscopy involves medical assessment and potential risk of aspiration, which should be done by a licensed healthcare professional. B: Assisting a postoperative hip replacement patient to ambulate for the first time requires monitoring for complications and assessing patient response, which should be done
Question 7 of 9
Accrediting agencies such as The Joint Commission address staffing by:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because accrediting agencies like The Joint Commission focus on ensuring patients receive satisfactory care through evidence-based practices. They evaluate the quality of care provided rather than specific staffing levels or ratios. Imposing maximum staffing levels (A) can be restrictive and may not account for varying patient needs. Requiring a specific staff mix (B) may not always be feasible or reflective of best practices. Stipulating nurse-patient ratios (C) can be important but may not address the overall quality of care provided to patients. In summary, option D is correct as accrediting agencies prioritize evidence of satisfactory care delivery over rigid staffing requirements.
Question 8 of 9
After keeping a log of activities designed to improve time management, the nurse divides the distractions into internal and external sources. The nurse would classify which distraction as internal?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because responding to recurring crises at work or in one's personal life is an internal distraction. Internal distractions originate from within the individual, affecting focus and productivity. In this scenario, the nurse's response to crises is within their control and can be managed through personal strategies. Choices B, C, and D are external distractions as they involve interactions with others or unclear job responsibilities imposed from outside sources, making them not directly related to the individual's internal state of mind. Hence, option A is the correct classification of an internal distraction in this context.
Question 9 of 9
During the night, a patient fell in the bathroom and sustained a hip injury. The patient was very upset because of being unable to attend a granddaughter's wedding in 2 days. The team looked at the process and determined that the patient had been medicated with a narcotic, had urinary urgency so had not taken the time to put on shoes, failed to turn on the light because the door to the hall let in some light, and stumbled over a towel that had been placed to collect water leaks caused by construction that was in progress to replace damaged sinks. Which factor was a special cause variation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Improper construction that caused the leak and towel placement. This is a special cause variation because it is an external factor outside the patient's control that directly contributed to the incident. The construction causing water leaks and the placement of a towel to collect water created a hazardous environment leading to the fall. The other choices, A, B, and C, are common cause variations as they are related to the patient's behavior or medical condition which could have been managed or controlled within the usual process.