Leadership

The financial plan required for the distribution of resources and expenses is a _________.

ANS: budget

In a large health care facility, the executive administrative leaders set the budget goals to decrease full-time equivalents by 3%, eliminate the cost of agency nurses, reduce lost revenue from lost supplies by 1%, and provide a 0.5% hourly salary incentive for working on a float unit when the assigned unit has a low census. Nurse managers meet with nursing administrators to design their unit budgets to meet these established goals. The budget approach that is being used is the _____ approach. a. top-down b. participatory c. iterative d. incremental

ANS: A Budget goals are established by administrators; unit managers do not contribute to goal setting, which is the primary principle of the top-down approach.

Nurses on a unit provide personal hygiene, administer medications, educate the patient and family about treatments, and provide emotional support. These nurses provide patient care based on which nursing delivery system? a. Total patient care b. Partnership nursing c. Team nursing d. Functional nursing

ANS: A In total patient care nurses provide all aspects of patient care.

The task of completing and signing the initial assessment on a newly admitted patient who is about to undergo minimally invasive procedures on an outpatient basis can be delegated to: a. the registered nurse (RN). b. the licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). c. unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). d. all levels of staff, because the information is about the past and cannot change.

ANS: A Only the RN can perform and sign the admission assessment, although some components such as monitoring vital signs may be delegated

A nurse groups patients with criteria such as "high risk for falls," "infection protocols," and "special communication needs" to determine the mix and number of staff needed on a telemetry unit. The nurse is using: a. a patient classification system to determine safe staffing levels. b. diagnostic-related groups for Medicare billing. c. case management to coordinate care. d. clinical pathways to determine care.

ANS: A Patient classification systems group patients according to care needs to determine safe staffing levels.

Which task is most likely to be considered in a state's practice act as appropriate to delegate to a LPN/LVN if the patient's condition is stable and competence in the task has been established? a. Administer an enema for an elective surgery patient. b. Administer an antiarrhythmic medication IV while interpreting the patient's rhythm on the cardiac monitor. c. Develop a plan of care for a stable patient admitted for observation after a head injury. d. Teach a patient how to instill eye drops for glaucoma.

ANS: A The RN who is delegating must consider the following: (1) the delegatee's current workload and the complexity of the task, (2) whether the staff member is familiar with the patient population and with the task to be performed, and (3) whether the RN is able to provide the appropriate level of supervision. The delegation decision-making tree would also support delegation of this task.

A nurse is concerned about the risk of delegating tasks to licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel. What is the best way for the nurse to determine competency of an inexperienced delegatee? a. Actually observe the delegatee perform the assigned task. b. Ask the delegatee how many times he/she has performed the task. c. Ask the patient if the care provided was satisfactory. d. Ask other nurses if they feel the delegatee is competent.

ANS: A The best way for the nurse to determine the competency of LPNs or UAPs is to observe them perform the task.

The RN instructs the LPN to "Give an enema to the patient in room 327 who is being discharged but is complaining of being constipated. Then be sure to document on the medication administration record when given." Which of the five rights was missing in this situation? The right of: a. direction and communication. b. task. c. person. d. circumstances.

ANS: A The directions were not clear. The RN did not specify which type of enema to give and what outcome to expect. And the RN gave no instructions related to reporting back.

The nurse managers of an organization are meeting with administration to plan the budget. The above graph shows last year's 2011 expenditures, and the team will trend the upcoming budget knowing that, with the slowdown in the economy, patient census will be lower. Which budget approach is being used? a. Incremental b. Zero-based c. Productivity metrics d. Capital

ANS: A The incremental approach is simply a forward trend of current or recent performance with adjustments for future growth or decline in revenues or expenses.

The nurse manager meets with upper administration and learns that the strategic plan for nursing is to have 80% BSN staff within the next 3 years. The nurse manager then built her budget to meet the organization's strategic goal by providing tuition reimbursement and flexible work hours, which required some agency staffing. Which approach to budgeting is used? a. Iterative b. Top-down c. Participatory d. Zero-based

ANS: A The iterative approach is a combination of the top-down and the participatory approach, with upper management defining strategic goals and then unit leaders developing their operating budgets to incorporate their individual goals in conjunction with the organization's strategic goals.

The nurse manager is planning staffing levels and realizes that the first step is to: a. know the intensity of care needed by patients according to physical and psychosocial factors. b. examine the educational level of the staff. c. assess the skill level of caregivers. d. review the budget to determine the financial consequences of past staffing patterns.

ANS: A The nurse manager must determine the number and mix of health care providers according to the wide range of care requirements of individual patients.

A patient is admitted with hypotension, shortness of breath, flushing, and hives. All levels of staff have been trained to assess vital signs. Given budget restrictions and proper delegation rules, to which care provider would the RN delegate the task of obtaining the initial blood pressure reading? a. RN b. LPN/LVN c. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) d. Use the blood pressure obtained in the ambulance, because it was assessed via electronic monitoring.

ANS: A The patient's condition is not stable; therefore, the skills of an RN are required.

A nurse manager is preparing a budget that does not base annual budgets on the revenue and expenditures of the prior year and has the advantage that outdated information is not integrated into the budget. The manager is using which budget method? a. Zero-based b. Incremental c. Labor d. Operational

ANS: A The zero-based method is based on the assumption of no volume and no resources assigned; it essentially starts each new budget period at zero rather than building from past budgets

Which statement made by an RN regarding delegation indicates the need for additional teaching? (select all that apply) a. Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) can assess vital signs during the first 5 minutes for a patient who is receiving a blood transfusion because a reaction at this time is unlikely. b. An LPN/LVN can administer a PPD (tuberculin skin test) if there is no history of a positive PPD. c. When dopamine is ordered continuously, the LPN/LVN can administer dopamine at a low dose for the purpose of increasing renal perfusion. d. UAPs can transfer a patient who is being discharged home from the wheelchair to the bed if they have received training and demonstrated competency. e. Responsibility can be delegated to the UAP, but the delegator retains accountability.

ANS: A, B, C The statement "UAPs can assess vital signs during the first 5 minutes for a patient who is receiving a blood transfusion because a reaction at this time is unlikely" indicates the need for further teaching because the patient is at highest risk of a reaction during the first few minutes of a blood transfusion; thus the assessment skills of an RN are required. The statement "an LPN/LVN can administer a PPD (tuberculin skin test) if there is no history of a positive PPD" indicates the need for further teaching because administration of intradermal medication requires the skill of an RN. Dopamine is a vasoactive drug that can have a profound effect on a patient's blood pressure and cardiac output; administration requires the assessment and evaluation skills of an RN.

A nurse responsible for staffing a medical-surgical unit must consider: (select all that apply) a. the patient census. b. physical layout of the unit. c. complexity of care required. d. educational level of all staff. e. task preferences of the nurses.

ANS: A, B, C, D The primary considerations for staffing a specific nursing unit are the number of patients; the level of intensity of care required by those patients (commonly referred to as patient acuity); contextual issues, such as architecture, geography of the environment, and available technology; level of preparation and experience of the staff members providing the care; and the quality of the nurses' work life.

Which functions can be delegated only to another RN with appropriate experience and training? (select all that apply) a. Assessment of skin integrity on third day of hospitalization b. Evaluation of patient teaching related to turn, cough, and deep breathing exercises c. Nursing judgment related to withholding medication based on vital signs d. RNs do not delegate to other RNs, they delegate only to licensed practical nurses or unlicensed assistive personnel e. Formulation of nursing diagnosis "potential for fall"

ANS: A, B, C, E Activities like assessing skin integrity—which include the core of the nursing process and require specialized knowledge, judgment, and/or skill—can be delegated only to another RN. Activities like evaluating patient teaching—which include the core of the nursing process and require specialized knowledge, judgment, and/or skill—can be delegated only to another RN. Activities like deciding to withhold medication based on vital signs—which include the core of the nursing process and require specialized knowledge, judgment, and/or skill—can be delegated only to another RN. Activities like formulating a nursing diagnosis—which include the core of the nursing process and require specialized knowledge, judgment, and/or skill—can be delegated only to another RN.

Which factors would be considered in the first steps in developing an effective patient classification system? (select all that apply) a. Planned procedures b. Ethnic diversity of patients c. Clinical competency of staff d. Educational level of nurses e. Age of patients

ANS: A, B, E The first step in developing a patient classification system is to understand the intensity of care needs, which requires identifying specific patient characteristics and care requirements.

While participating in a task force to proactively plan for nursing care delivery over the next 20 years, a nurse learns that dramatic changes will occur as a result of: (select all that apply.) a. the increase in the number of minimally invasive procedures being performed for disease treatment. b. care provided for patients over an extended period in acute care settings. c. the reduction in the number of nurses and other health care professionals who are available to provide care. d. the widespread illiteracy and decreased self-efficacy of the aging patient population. e. the need to focus on social and environmental influences, educational level, and individual characteristics and values of the patient. f. the devaluing of nursing as a means of improving patient outcomes.

ANS: A, C, E Invasive surgical procedures are being replaced by laparoscopic procedures. The demand for nurses and other health care professionals cannot keep pace with the increased need for health care required by the growing older population. Care will focus on the unique lifestyles and values of a diverse population.

A nurse has recently been appointed to the position of nurse manager. To become successful in managing the unit's budget, the new nurse manager should: (select all that apply) a. read the financial policy manual to learn more about the organization's budgeting process. b. allow the nursing administration office to manage the unit's budget until he or she is able to complete an online financial management course. c. communicate regularly with a person in the hospital's finance office about interpreting budget reports. d. pay attention to only the bottom-line numbers in budget reports rather than trying to understand each line in these reports. e. discuss the process of developing budgets with other members of the management team.

ANS: A, C, E Knowing the organization's financial policies is an important step toward understanding the organization's budget process. Building a relationship with the finance office is fundamental to learning about the budgeting. As one participates more in the budget process, one's understanding of the process and related responsibilities is enhanced.

A patient is admitted with pneumonia. The case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a: a. patient classification system. b. clinical pathway. c. patient-centered plan of care. d. diagnosis-related group (DRG).

ANS: B A clinical pathway is a plan that specifies the timing and sequencing of major patient care activities and interventions by the interdisciplinary team for a particular diagnosis, procedure, or health condition.

A patient is admitted with coronary artery disease and is scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). According to the clinical pathway the patient should be extubated and discharged from critical care the day after surgery. During surgery the patient's oxygen saturation decreased drastically as a result of chronic tobacco abuse. Subsequently, the patient remained on the ventilator an additional 2 days postoperatively. According to the clinical practice guideline for CABG, this situation represents a: a. patient outcome. b. variance. c. goal. d. standard.

ANS: B A variance is a deviation from the planned path.

An RN delegates to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the task of performing blood pressure checks for a group of patients on a nursing unit. The UAP accepts the task and is responsible for: a. delegating the task to another UAP if he or she does not have the time or skill to complete the task. b. keeping the RN informed of any abnormal blood pressure readings. c. calling the physician when the patient's vital signs are not within established parameters. d. informing the dietary department to initiate a low-sodium diet for patients who are hypertensive.

ANS: B After accepting the assignment, the UAP is responsible for completing the task and reporting any patient concerns to the RN.

A nurse manager is working with the financial officer to develop the budget of the nursing unit for the next fiscal year. The nurse manager tells the financial officer that which of the following pieces of information will affect budget assumptions? a. The capital budget request for new emergency department equipment has been turned in for consideration by the hospital's administrative team. b. The patient census likely will increase during the next fiscal year because two large physician groups have transferred their admission privileges to this hospital. c. The participatory budgeting approach instituted last year has been helpful in controlling supply costs. d. Zero-based budgeting will help the managers to be more efficient in establishing next year's budget.

ANS: B Budget assumptions are future predictors of performance and include the stability of the price of supplies, the salary range needed to recruit and retain quality employees, new services offered by competitors, and the variability of the patient census.

A nurse plans care knowing when specific recovery milestones are expected. The nurse is providing care via: a. patient classification systems. b. clinical pathways. c. functional nursing. d. case management.

ANS: B Clinical pathways plans patient care activities and interprofessional interventions and desired patient outcomes within a specified time period for a particular diagnosis or health condition

A primary function of the budgeting process is to provide managers with an opportunity to: a. insist that salary increases for all nurses are included in the annual budget. b. discuss concerns about resource allocation with leaders of the organization who are capable of resolving issues. c. develop a mechanism for changing from zero-based budgeting to incremental budgeting. d. develop for all staff an educational program related to supply usage.

ANS: B Coordination and communication are very important functions of budgeting that require many different groups within an organization to come together with organizational leaders to discuss the resources necessary to accomplish the goals of a business unit.

A hospital converts to a system of care delivery in which RNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are responsible for implementing a specific task, such as medication administration or personal hygiene, for the entire nursing unit. This type of delivery system is: a. total patient care. b. functional nursing. c. team nursing. d. primary nursing.

ANS: B In functional nursing members of the team are assigned specific tasks such as assessment or medication administration.

Which component of budgeting might normally be addressed in the annual performance evaluation for a nurse manager? a. Including in the labor budget costs for overtime and benefits b. Managing variances in nursing overtime costs and supply usage c. Accurately predicting revenues on the basis of unit-of-service d. Providing qualitative analysis for variances in the capital budget

ANS: B Nurse managers are often evaluated according to their success in managing nursing overtime costs and supply usage as reflected in the unit's budget.

A nurse manager is mentoring a novice nurse manager in determining staffing needs. The mentor explains, "We must determine the acuity level of the patient by: a. assessing patient satisfaction with nursing care." b. quantifying the amount and intensity of care required." c. examining the skill mix and educational preparation of the staff." d. determining the number of hospital days required by the patients."

ANS: B Patient acuity is measured by determining the amount and intensity of care required.

A patient has decided to stop hemodialysis because his renal failure progresses and he wishes to spend more time with family. Palliative care will continue, and the approach will be discussed with the patient and family as needed and at change of shift. The care delivery model in this situation is termed: a. partnership. b. patient-centered. c. case management. d. total patient care.

ANS: B Patient-centered care models entail the health care team partnering with the patient and family to ensure that patients' wants, needs, and preferences are the priority while allowing the patient and family to participate in decisions and educational needs.

The nurse manager determines that four RNs, five LPN/LVNs, and two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are required per shift to meet the needs of the patient population on the unit, according to acuity and census. The nurse manager is concerned with: a. assignments. b. staffing. c. output. d. productivity.

ANS: B Staffing is the activity of determining that an adequate number and mix of health care team members are available to provide safe, high-quality patient care.

A task force is considering factors that contribute to high-quality safe staffing. Which statement reflects an understanding of the American Nurses Association's (ANA) recommendations? a. Because patient needs remain constant on a daily shift, staffing needs at the beginning of the shift should be sufficient to provide safe, high-quality care. b. Staffing should allow time for the RN to apply the nursing process so decisions result in high-quality, safe patient outcomes. c. Patient acuity levels affect staffing by increasing the need for unlicensed personnel to provide routine basic care rather than increasing RNs in staff mix. d. RN staffing is not cost-effective; thus is it important for staffing models to limit the number of RNs assigned per shift.

ANS: B The ANA recommends that nurses have time to exercise professional judgment.

An RN is counseled by the nurse manager regarding inappropriate delegation when the: a. RN instructs the nursing assistant to greet ambulatory surgery patients and show them to their rooms. b. nursing assistant informs the RN that she has not been trained to collect a sputum specimen and the RN states, "I will show you this time and you can show me the next time." c. RN assigns the float LPN/LVN the task of completing a plan of care for a stable patient who was admitted for routine replacement of a feeding tube. d. LPN/LVN who has demonstrated competence is asked to perform a dressing change for a patient before she is discharged home.

ANS: C Only an RN can initiate and complete a new plan of care; this does not fall within the scope of practice of the LPN/LVN. The RN has violated one of the five rights of delegation.

An RN delegates to an experienced LPN/LVN the task of administering oral medications to a group of patients. The LPN/LVN accepts the assignment, and the RN knows that the LPN/LVN has had the training and has acquired the skills needed to complete the task. The RN then observes the LPN/LVN recording a patient's medication administration just before entering the patient's room. The priority intervention by the RN is to: a. check the patient's drug packages to ensure that the correct drugs were given. b. stop the LPN/LVN immediately and discuss the possible consequences of his actions in a nonjudgmental manner. c. contact the nurse manager and ask that the LPN/LVN's license be suspended. d. call the pharmacy and ask for replacement medications for the patients.

ANS: B The LPN/LVN has the competency but violated one of the rights of medication administration and is practicing unsafe care. The RN's responsibility requires that he or she intervene and identify concerns with the LPN/LVN.

A nursing unit is comparing team nursing to the partnership model and finds that: a. with the partnership model, an RN does not have to be part of the mix. b. leadership abilities of the RN is a major determinant of effectiveness of care for both models. c. the RN teaches the LPN/LVN or unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) how to apply the nursing process in team nursing. d. with team nursing the RN cares for the patient while the team members work with the family or significant others.

ANS: B The RN leads regardless of whether partnership model or team nursing is practiced.

A student nurse is concerned about delegation practices and wonders why hospitals employ unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and LPN/LVNs. The student nurse refers to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and learns that the role of these personnel is to: a. supplement the staffing pattern when an RN is not available. b. aid the RN by performing appropriately delegated care tasks. c. replace the RN when the health care facility provides long-term care. d. provide patient teaching, allowing more direct care to be provided by the RN.

ANS: B The UAP and LPN/LVN can increase productivity of the RN by performing those tasks that fall within their scope of practice.

The nurse who is responsible for following the patient from admission through discharge or resolution of illness while working with a broad range of health care providers is called a: a. nurse manager. b. case manager. c. coordinator of patient-centered care delivery. d. team leader in team nursing care delivery.

ANS: B The case manager, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, oversees the use of health care services by clients throughout a course of illness.

A patient is admitted for a hysterectomy, and the RN develops and implements the plan of care but also delegates to the LPN/LVN the responsibility of administering oral medications. While off duty, this RN receives a call requesting a change in the plan of care because the patient has developed deep vein thrombosis. The nurse who originally planned the care is practicing which type of nursing care delivery? a. Modular b. Primary c. Team d. Functional

ANS: B The primary nurse assumes 24-hour responsibility for planning, directing, and evaluating the patient's care from admission through discharge but may delegate or provide primary care during the shift when present.

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: a. revenue. b. variance. c. monitoring. d. capital expenditures.

ANS: B Variance is the difference between the planned budget and actual results; it can be a positive or a negative discrepancy.

Which of the following situations would be appropriate for the supervisory level of initial direction and/or periodic inspection? a. Experienced RNs work together to provide care for a group of patients newly diagnosed with meningitis. b. The RN assigns the LPN tasks within her scope of practice and checks back during the shift to ensure the tasks are completed correctly. c. A new graduate nurse is assigned care to a male patient with a hematocrit of 11.0 g of hemoglobin per deciliter and is receiving a blood transfusion. The charge nurse checks on the patient status every 15 to 30 minutes and asks the graduate to explain "next steps." d. No supervision is necessary since both are registered nurses.

ANS: B When a working relationship is established and competencies of the delegate established, the delegator may check in during intermittently during the shift.

1. A nurse manager has calculated that providing 75 hours of direct nursing care per day requires that 120 hours must actually be worked by nursing staff. The manager is involved in: (select all that apply) a. developing the capital budget. b. applying productivity metric. c. monitoring the labor budget. d. incremental budgeting processes. e. addressing budget assumptions.

ANS: B, C The nurse manager is determining the amount of work produced by calculating the actual number of nursing hours worked, which is productivity metric. Budgets use productivity metrics.

The nursing executive team met to review last year's productivity metric to strategize for the upcoming year's metric. The team wants to be certain the productivity metric shows productivity was: a. high. b. low. c. balanced. d. iterative.

ANS: C A balanced productivity is desired because it encourages quality and safety while providing financial efficiency.

13. When deciding which staffing option to use on a nursing unit that will open soon, the manager realizes that: a. continuity of care is enhanced and errors are reduced when nurses provide care over longer shifts and consecutive workdays, such as 12-hour shifts on 3 consecutive days per week. b. the use of part-time nurses provides the variability needed to meet diverse patient needs. c. satisfaction of the staff equates to satisfaction of patients. d. nurses provide the same level of care, regardless of the work environment.

ANS: C High nurse satisfaction is generally equated with high patient satisfaction and positive patient outcomes.

A nurse moves from California to Arkansas and due to having 20 years of experience as a registered nurse is immediately placed in charge of the telemetry unit. The staffing consists of LPNs and two unlicensed assistive personnel. The RN is unsure of the scope of practice of the LPNs and reviews the nurse practice act for Arkansas, which lacks clarity on some tasks. The RN should: a. query the state nursing association to determine their stance on the role of LPNs. b. ask the LPNs on the unit to list what tasks they routinely performed. c. contact the state board of nursing to determine legal scope of practice for LPNs. d. refer to California's nurse practice act because the scope of LPNs/LVNs is consistent across the United States.

ANS: C If the nurse practice act lacks clarity, the state board of nursing can provide guidance.

The nurse manager meets with upper management to share strategic goals agreed upon by her staff for their individual nursing unit as the first step to begin budget negotiations. One strategic goal is that staff will have access to technology that will allow them to incorporate point-of-care devices for all RNs. The second goal is to improve RNs' ability to recognize critical indicators that a patient's health status is deteriorating through advanced health assessment skills. During the meeting the manager discusses the strategy options and selecting the one that works for the unit. Which type of budget development is used? a. Iterative b. Top-down c. Participatory d. Zero-based

ANS: C In the participatory approach, the people responsible for achieving the budget goals are included in goal setting.

Customer satisfaction is primarily based on: a. access to modern, up-to-date facilities. b. availability of an extensive menu selection. c. personal interactions with employees. d. having to undergo fewer invasive procedures.

ANS: C Interactions between employees and patients/families actually affect clinical outcomes, functional status, and even physiologic measures of health.

A nurse on the unit is heard saying, "I am not going to document that I used four catheters to start that IV; it doesn't matter anyway." What action can help the staff nurse understand the financial budget goals of the unit? a. Have the nurse work in payroll for a week. b. Enroll the staff in continuing education units (CEU) for personal finance. c. Ask the nurse to represent the unit on the budget planning committee. d. Make the nurse responsible for monitoring all disposable equipment and supplies.

ANS: C Participating on the committee will give the nurse ownership of the unit's budget and will provide insight into the unit's budgetary goals.

An RN makes the following assignments at the beginning of the shift. Which assignment would be considered high-risk delegation? a. A novice RN is assigned a patient with diabetes mellitus requiring mixing of regular and NPH insulin. b. An LPN is assigned an older adult with pneumonia and who requires dressing changes on a foot wound. c. An unlicensed assistive person is assigned the task of assisting a patient with late stages of Huntington's disease to ambulate a short distance in the hallway. d. A float RN from the oncology unit is assigned a patient with a white blood cell count of 4000 mm3.

ANS: C Risk of falling is great in later stages of Huntington's disease due to chorea movements.

A hospital is concerned with nurse retention and realizes that job satisfaction is a major influence. To enhance employee satisfaction related to staffing, the management team: a. negotiates for additional agency nurses. b. hires more part-time employees. c. includes participatory management into staffing decisions. d. uses "float" nurses to cover vacancies.

ANS: C Staffing methods that include staff participation and enhance staff autonomy have been demonstrated to play a major part in ensuring employee satisfaction.

Care delivery using the team-based approach is used on a telemetry nursing unit. The team consists of one registered nurse (RN), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Staff have been charged to improve quality of care while ensuring cost containment. Which assignments would meet both criteria? a. The RN administers all medications to all patients. b. The LPN performs sterile dressings and IV tubing changes on all central lines. c. The experienced UAP places telemetry electrodes and attaches to cardiac monitor. d. The RN administers an enema to a stable patient who has an order "administer fleet enema PRN when no bowel movement in 2 days."

ANS: C The UAP, when properly trained, can place patients on telemetry. This meets quality and cost containment goals because the LPN and RN have higher salaries.

An RN recently relocated to another region of the country and immediately assumed the role of charge nurse. When determining the appropriate person to whom to delegate, the RN knows that: a. the role of the LPN/LVN is the same from state to state. b. the LPN/LVN can be taught to perform all the duties of an RN if approved by the employer and if additional on-the-job training is provided. c. he or she must review the state's nurse practice act for LPN/LVNs, because each state defines the role and scope of practice of the LPN/LVN. d. The Joint Commission has certified and established roles for the LPN/LVN.

ANS: C The scope of practice of the LPN/LVN varies significantly from state to state; RNs should know the LPN/LVN nurse practice act in the state in which they practice and should understand the legal scope of practice of the LPN/LVN.

An LPN/LVN has transferred to a nursing unit and arrives for the first day. The RN checks with the LPN/LVN often throughout the shift to provide support and determine if assistance is needed. The RN is providing which level of supervision? a. There is no supervision, because at times the LPN/LVN is not with the RN. b. Periodic inspection is being used. Because the LPN/LVN is licensed, the RN is relieved of the need to evaluate care. c. Continual supervision is being provided until the RN determines competency. d. Initial supervision is being provided because this is the LPN/LVN's first day on the unit.

ANS: C This level of supervision is required when the working relationship is new, the task is complex, or the delegatee is inexperienced or has not demonstrated an acceptable level of competence.

A nursing administrator who is considering the feasibility of an all-RN staff reviews the report, Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses (2003) and determines that RNs: (select all that apply) a. are more costly and less efficient than LPNs. b. have little or no effect by being proactive but instead are reactive to patient care errors. c. have a positive effect on patient outcomes when managing patient care. d. are effective overseers of patients' overall health condition. e. lack the training to be effective delegators.

ANS: C, D RNs are effective at coordinating care that results in improved patient outcomes. RNs are valuable monitors of a patient's health status—a practice that results in improved patient outcomes.

Which statement related to delegation is correct? a. The practice of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is defined in the nurse practice act. b. Nursing practice can be delegated only when the LPN/LVN and UAP have received adequate training. c. Supervision is not required when routine tasks are delegated to a competent individual. d. The RN must be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that govern nursing practice, as well as those that have no clearly defined parameters, such as for UAP.

ANS: D Accountability remains with the RN, and he or she is responsible for knowing what tasks can be delegated and what is defined as nursing practice.

Accrediting agencies such as The Joint Commission address staffing by: a. imposing maximum staffing levels. b. requiring a specific staff mix. c. stipulating nurse-patient ratios. d. looking for evidence that patients receive satisfactory care.

ANS: D Accrediting agencies do not address minimum staffing levels; however, they do look for evidence that patients receive adequate care, and this can occur only with adequate staffing.

A nursing unit's census consists primarily of long-term residents with a high risk for falls. To meet new safety regulations, the nurse manager must plan to replace all 50 patient beds with new beds equipped with Fall Watch electronic sensors that will detect when patients get out of bed. The manager will be involved in which type of budgeting to replace the beds? a. Fiscal b. Labor c. Operational d. Capital

ANS: D Capital budgets are concerned with major purchases such as equipment paid for over several years.

An orthopedic unit is considering different types of care delivery models and staff have an opportunity to ask questions about how the models differ. The nurse manager provides an overview and uses the above visual to demonstrate which model of care delivery? a. Team b. Partnership c. Primary d. Functional

ANS: D Functional care delivery models assign tasks to each provider. In the above visual, the LPN is responsible for oral medication administration, the unlicensed assistive personnel provide hygiene, and the RN is assigned to task that require the nursing process.

A nurse makes patient care assignments as follows: RN1 has rooms 200-210; RN2 has rooms 211-221; RN3 has rooms 222-232. The two unlicensed assistive personnel have half the rooms, with one assigned to 200-215 and the second to 216-232. The care delivery model used in this situation is: a. team. b. primary. c. partnership. d. modular.

ANS: D Modular (or geographic) assignments are based on a geographic location in the nursing unit.

Which task is appropriate for the RN to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) provided the delegatee has had experience and training? a. Evaluate the ability of a patient to swallow ice after a gastroscopy. b. Assist a patient who is postoperative hip replacement to ambulate with a walker for the first time. c. Change the disposable tracheotomy cannula for a new postoperative tracheotomy patient if secretions are thick and tenacious. d. Obtain a sterile urine sample from a patient with a Foley catheter that is connected to a closed drainage system.

ANS: D Obtaining a sterile urine sample from a patient with a Foley catheter that is connected to a closed drainage system is not an invasive procedure, and risk to the patient is minimal, making the task appropriate for delegation.

When the nurse manager conducts a qualitative analysis of budget variances, he or she is: a. determining the percentage increase of supply usage from the last quarter to the current quarter. b. identifying the overall increase in the dollar amount of salaries paid for overtime. c. comparing productivity metrics across all nursing units in the facility. d. reconciling with current conditions the underlying assumptions on which the budget was based.

ANS: D Qualitative analysis of the budget explains why current conditions are different than they were when the budget was developed; new conditions might include greater patient acuity or additional physicians with increased admissions.

A nurse is delegating to the newly hired nursing unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) the task of assisting with oral hygiene, knowing that this assignment "does not require decisions based on the nursing process." The nurse is correctly using which of the five rights of delegation? a. Supervision b. Communication c. Person d. Circumstance

ANS: D Right circumstance involves the delegation of tasks that do not require independent nursing judgments.

A registered nurse (RN) is assigned as charge nurse for the first time. She knows to consult the state board of nursing to determine scope of practice for licensed practical nurses (LPN) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). She also realizes there are common policies which exist in most state practice acts that include: a. the RN is held accountable for the decision to delegate, but responsibility rests only with the delegatee. b. the RN may only delegate tasks that are not in the scope of practice of the LPN if the delegatee is certain they are competent to perform the task. c. since the LPN is licensed, they practice professional nursing. d. to determine what tasks can be safely delegated, the RN must first assess the patient.

ANS: D The stability of the patient must be determined prior to delegation. Even routine tasks such as taking vital signs that are often delegated may need to be performed by the RN when the patient's condition is critical.

During orientation, an RN learns that LPN/LVNs in the facility receive additional training to perform some tasks such as hanging continuously infusing intravenous fluids that have no additives. It is important for the RN to understand that: a. the health care facility can override the state practice act by having all LPN/LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) participate in on-site training. b. LPN/LVNs are licensed, and accountability for their own practice rests with each LPN/LVN. c. UAPs cannot be held responsible for their own actions or inactions. d. the nurse practice act and state regulations related to delegation override the organization's policies.

ANS: D The state's nurse practice act is the deciding factor regarding what can legally be delegated.

Nurses on a unit met with the nurse manager as part of participatory budgeting. They ask, "What exactly is the difference between fixed and variable costs? Understanding this will help us better understand the budgeting process." The manager provides a definition and asks the staff to list types of direct and indirect cost. Which example would indicate a need for further teaching? a. Fixed costs would include accreditation fees. b. Fixed cost would include the cost for the automated medication-dispensing system. c. Variable cost would include the nurse manager's salary. d. Variable cost would include the salary expense for registered nurses.

ANS: D Variable costs would include the salary expense for registered nurses because their number can change.

Organizations measure the effectiveness of their budgets by examining actual revenues and expenditures versus: a. planned variances. b. incremental budgets. c. productivity metrics. d. expected performance.

ANS: D Variance analysis is the process by which deviations from budgeted amounts are examined by comparing actual performance results against expected, or budgeted, performance.