ATI RN
Contemporary Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
When the client is unable to make medical decisions for himself or herself, authorization that allows another person to make these decisions is called:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: durable power of attorney. This legal document grants authority to another person, known as the healthcare proxy or agent, to make medical decisions on behalf of the client when they are unable to do so themselves. This is essential for ensuring that the client's wishes are respected and that appropriate medical care is provided. A: A living will is a document that outlines a person's preferences for medical treatment in case they become incapacitated, but it does not appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf. C: Informed consent is the process of ensuring that a patient understands the risks and benefits of a medical treatment before giving consent, but it does not authorize someone to make decisions on their behalf. D: Immunity refers to protection from legal liability and is not relevant to authorizing someone to make medical decisions for a client.
Question 2 of 9
Nurses can combat the nursing shortage by:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because advocating for funds to pay for nursing education and a safer work environment addresses the root causes of the nursing shortage. By securing funding for education, more individuals can enter the nursing profession. Creating a safer work environment enhances nurse retention. A is incorrect because while unions can negotiate for better benefits, it doesn't directly address the shortage by increasing the number of nurses. B is incorrect because reducing the requirements for foreign nurses may compromise the quality of care and does not address the shortage of local nurses. C is incorrect because working more hours with a higher nurse/patient ratio can lead to burnout and compromise patient safety, exacerbating the nursing shortage.
Question 3 of 9
The number of IV site infections has more than doubled on a nursing unit. The staff determine common causes include the site is cleaned using inconsistent methods, dressing frequently becomes wet when patient showers, IV tubing is not changed every 48 hours per protocol, and inadequate hand washing of RN prior to insertion. A bar graph demonstrates the frequency in descending order, with 80% of infections being attributed to inadequate hand washing. The quality tool used is a:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pareto chart. A Pareto chart is a quality tool used to prioritize issues by identifying the most significant factors contributing to a problem. In this case, the Pareto chart is appropriate because it helps visually show that inadequate hand washing is the primary cause of IV site infections, as it accounts for 80% of all infections. The chart allows the staff to focus their efforts on addressing this key issue first, which is crucial for effectively reducing the overall infection rate. Incorrect choices: A: Cause-and-effect diagram - This tool is used to identify and analyze potential causes of a problem, but it does not prioritize them in the same way a Pareto chart does. B: Run chart - A run chart is used to track data over time to identify trends and patterns, but it does not prioritize the causes of a problem like a Pareto chart. D: Flowchart - Flowcharts are used to map out a process or workflow, but they do not prioritize issues
Question 4 of 9
Nurse practice acts:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nurse practice acts are written and passed by legislators. This is because nurse practice acts are laws that govern the scope of practice for nurses, outlining their responsibilities, licensure requirements, and standards of care. Legislators create and pass these acts to ensure public safety and regulate the nursing profession. Choice B is incorrect because special interest groups can influence legislation. Choice C is incorrect as nurse practice acts also apply to other types of nurses, not just RNs. Choice D is incorrect as dentist practices are governed by separate laws and regulations.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse realizes that much time is wasted during shift report when coworkers discuss personal items such as recent movies or department store sales. Which statement would help with time management during this critical interaction?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it directly addresses the issue of time management during shift report by focusing on the essential tasks that need to be discussed. By starting with revisions to the plan of care and scheduled activities for the next shift, the nurse ensures that the most critical information is covered efficiently. This approach helps prioritize the discussion and prevent unnecessary time spent on non-essential topics. Option A is incorrect because limiting the discussion to just one movie does not address the overall time management issue during shift report. Option B is incorrect because discussing department store sales while walking between patient rooms may still lead to distractions and inefficiencies in the report. Option C is incorrect as it focuses on what went wrong during the shift rather than addressing the need for efficient time management during the report. The correct answer, D, is the most effective choice as it directly tackles the issue of time wasted during shift report by emphasizing the essential tasks that need to be covered.
Question 6 of 9
"A patient with end-stage renal disease has a potassium level of 5 mEq/L. Based on this laboratory result, the nurse interprets which symptom as significant prompting which action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C: Irregular heartbeat is a significant symptom of hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should evaluate capillary refill to assess perfusion. High potassium levels can affect cardiac function, leading to arrhythmias. Monitoring capillary refill provides insight into tissue perfusion, helping to assess the severity of the condition and guide appropriate interventions. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Drowsiness is not a typical symptom of hyperkalemia. Stimulating the patient every 30 minutes does not address the underlying issue. B: Confusion is not a common symptom of hyperkalemia. Asking the patient to state their name and birthdate does not address the cardiac implications of high potassium levels. D: Muscle cramps may occur with hyperkalemia but are not as critical as irregular heartbeat. Elevating the affected limb is not the priority in this situation.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse in an acute care facility helps patients understand how to prevent diabetic neuropathies. This nurse is functioning in the role of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: educator. The nurse is providing information and teaching patients about preventing diabetic neuropathies, which aligns with the role of an educator. Educators focus on imparting knowledge and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Change agents initiate and lead changes within an organization, not directly related to patient education. C: Managers oversee daily operations and resources within a healthcare setting, not specifically focused on patient education. D: Coordinators facilitate communication and collaboration among healthcare team members, but not primarily responsible for patient education.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse researcher who is seeking funding for a study should identify _ of funding agencies.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: priorities. When seeking funding for a study, identifying the priorities of funding agencies is crucial as it helps align the research proposal with the agency's focus areas, increasing the chances of securing funding. Board members (A) are individuals overseeing the agency, not directly related to funding decisions. Budgets (C) refer to financial resources, which are important but secondary to understanding the agency's priorities. Accreditation (D) is about meeting certain standards and is not directly related to identifying funding agencies. Therefore, it is essential to focus on understanding the priorities of funding agencies when seeking funding for a study.
Question 9 of 9
In attempting to decide which services should be offered to a community, the public health nurse decides to implement hypertension screening and treatment because most of the residents are hypertensive. This decision is based on the principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the ethical principle that actions should be chosen based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, implementing hypertension screening and treatment for a community where most residents are hypertensive aligns with utilitarianism as it aims to benefit the greatest number of people by improving their health outcomes. This decision focuses on the overall good of the community, making it the most ethical choice. Rationale for why other choices are incorrect: A: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. While honesty is important in healthcare decision-making, it is not the primary factor in this scenario. B: Values refer to personal beliefs and principles. While values may influence decision-making, the primary focus in this scenario is on maximizing community health outcomes. D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions. While autonomy is important in healthcare, it is not the guiding principle in this scenario where the focus is