ATI RN
Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which functions can be delegated only to another RN with appropriate experience and training? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because nursing judgment related to withholding medication based on vital signs requires critical thinking, clinical knowledge, and experience. This decision-making process involves assessing the patient's condition, interpreting vital signs, and determining if medication should be given or withheld to ensure patient safety. This function cannot be delegated to someone without the appropriate training and expertise. A: Assessment of skin integrity on the third day of hospitalization can be delegated to other healthcare team members such as LPNs or nursing assistants, as long as they have been trained and deemed competent. B: Evaluation of patient teaching related to turn, cough, and deep breathing exercises can be delegated to other healthcare team members, as long as they have the appropriate training and supervision. D: The statement that RNs do not delegate to other RNs is incorrect. RNs can delegate certain tasks to other RNs based on their scope of practice and level of experience. It is not limited to LPNs or unlicensed assistive personnel.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse manager plans the fiscal budget to include salaries for two RNs for two 12-hour shifts with a patient census of 6 in the short-stay observation room. The nurse manager reviews the budget report 3 months later and notes that the salary expenses are higher than was budgeted because of higher-than-planned RN staff salaries. This additional RN staff is necessary to meet patient care needs because the census has remained constant at 10 patients rather than the 6 projected when the budget was developed. The difference between the planned budget and the actual cost is known as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: variance. In this scenario, the nurse manager planned a budget based on a patient census of 6 but the actual census remained constant at 10, leading to higher-than-planned RN staff salaries. The difference between the planned budget and the actual cost is known as a variance. Variances help identify discrepancies between planned and actual expenses, enabling managers to adjust budgets accordingly. Revenue (A) refers to income generated, not the difference between planned and actual expenses. Monitoring (C) is the process of overseeing and evaluating activities, not specifically related to budget discrepancies. Capital expenditures (D) are long-term investments in assets, not related to budget variances.
Question 3 of 9
A registered nurse is on break and checking e-mails. One e-mail contains a picture of a celebrity who is a patient in the hospital, and on the same floor, where the nurse works. Included with the photo is a message, "check out my Facebook," which contains additional photographs of the patient. The nurse immediately deletes the picture to prevent having to report the "friend" to supervisors. Based on the action of the nurse who received the message, which statement is correct?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nurse is at risk for discipline because failing to report the receipt of the message demonstrates poor ethical and legal role-modeling. By deleting the photo and not reporting the incident, the nurse is not upholding patient confidentiality and is potentially violating privacy laws. Sharing patient information, even if the patient is on the same floor, is unethical and illegal. Choices A and B are incorrect because simply deleting the photos does not absolve the nurse from potential consequences, and not being the sender does not excuse the nurse from being responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality. Choice D is incorrect because sharing patient information without authorization is a violation of ethical and legal standards.
Question 4 of 9
A bronze statue of a nurse in battle fatigues who is obviously exhausted but demonstrates caring by holding a soldier's head is an artistic representation of nurses who served in which war?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: World War II. This statue represents the iconic image of a nurse caring for a soldier during WWII. Nurses played a crucial role in providing medical care and support during the war, often under extreme conditions. The exhausted yet caring portrayal of the nurse holding the soldier's head captures the compassion and dedication of nurses during WWII. Explanation for other choices: A: World War I - While nurses also served valiantly in WWI, the imagery of this statue is more closely associated with WWII. C: Spanish-American War - Nurses did serve in this war, but the statue's depiction aligns more with the context of WWII. D: Vietnam War - The statue's portrayal does not align with the historical context or imagery commonly associated with nurses in the Vietnam War.
Question 5 of 9
Florence Nightingale is attributed with being intelligent (she developed statistical methods to evaluate health care), dependable (she often worked long hours to care for the injured), and ambitious (she fought against society's perception of nursing). Those who depict her as a leader on the basis of these qualities are practicing which leadership theory?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Identify the qualities attributed to Florence Nightingale: intelligent, dependable, ambitious. Step 2: Recognize these qualities as traits. Step 3: Trait theory states that effective leaders possess certain traits. Step 4: Florence Nightingale's leadership qualities align with trait theory. Step 5: Therefore, depicting her as a leader based on her traits falls under trait theory. Summary: A: Trait theory focuses on inherent qualities of leaders, which align with Florence Nightingale's qualities. B: Chaos theory emphasizes unpredictability and complexity, not relevant here. C: Bureaucracy theory centers on structured organizations, not applicable to Nightingale's personal traits. D: Organizational theory addresses structure and management within organizations, not related to individual leadership attributes like traits.
Question 6 of 9
A peaceful death is best characterized by which terminally ill patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because being surrounded by family provides emotional support, comfort, and a sense of closure. Family presence can alleviate fear, anxiety, and loneliness, contributing to a peaceful death experience. Choice B focuses on pain management but does not address emotional well-being. Choice C, while important for end-of-life care, does not directly impact the patient's immediate comfort. Choice D indicates a decline in consciousness, which may not necessarily lead to a peaceful death experience as the patient may not be aware of their surroundings or loved ones.
Question 7 of 9
A large corporation employs nurses all over the United States. Nurses in one agency learned that fellow nurses in another agency are striking because they are required to work 16-hour shifts to cover for nurses who have left due to unsafe staffing practices. The union of the nonstriking agency nurses decides to stop work to support the nurses who are striking; thus, this union:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the union of the nonstriking agency nurses is engaging in a sympathy strike to support their fellow nurses who are striking due to unsafe working conditions. A sympathy strike is legal as long as it is conducted correctly. In this case, the nonstriking agency nurses are showing solidarity with their colleagues to address the issue of unsafe staffing practices. Choice A is incorrect because the union's decision to support the striking nurses does not automatically expose them to a lawsuit. Choice B is incorrect as the union represents only one group of nurses, not both parties. Choice D is incorrect because there is no legal requirement for the union to pay for any losses incurred by the agency during the strike. Overall, the correct answer is C because it accurately reflects the union's action of participating in a sympathy strike to show support for the striking nurses.
Question 8 of 9
A novice nurse is in the "rejection phase" of stress and wonders if she made the right decision when deciding nursing was her chosen career. Which strategy would help the novice nurse cope with transition into practice and reduce stress?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates a proactive and thoughtful approach to decision-making. By stopping to consider the request and assessing its safety implications before accepting it based on patient acuity levels, the novice nurse is prioritizing patient safety and her own capabilities. This strategy helps her cope with the transition into practice by promoting critical thinking and confidence in her decision-making skills. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Refusing to eat anywhere but the hospital cafeteria may lead to social isolation and restrict the novice nurse's ability to engage with others outside of work. C: Ignoring coworkers' problems or staffing ideas can create a negative work environment and hinder teamwork, potentially increasing stress levels for the novice nurse. D: Focusing on winning over hostile coworkers may detract from the novice nurse's professional growth and cause unnecessary stress from seeking validation from others.
Question 9 of 9
An RN testifies at a trial where domestic violence is being investigated. She had previously assisted with specimen collection and had assessed the victim. The nurse is involved in nursing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: forensic. In this scenario, the nurse's involvement in specimen collection and assessment of the victim relates to forensic nursing, which involves providing healthcare in legal contexts like investigations and court proceedings. Triage (A) is the process of prioritizing patient care based on severity. Flight (C) and entrepreneurial (D) have no relevance to the situation described.