exam 1 fundamentals

A nurse is discussing nursing actions that can lead to breaches of nursing practice. Match the example to the term it describes. a. Nurse posts about patient's loud and unruly family members. b. Nurse immediately applies restraints to make patient stay in bed. c. Nurse leaves bed in high position, causing patient to fall and break hip. d. Nurse states that she will wrap a bandage over patient's mouth if he won't be quiet. e. Nurse applies abdominal bandage after refusal. f. Nurse gets angry at patient and nurse leaves the hospital. 1. Assault 2. Battery 3. Abandonment 4. False imprisonment 5. Invasion of privacy 6. Malpractice

1. ANS: D 2. ANS: E 3. ANS: F 4. ANS: B 5. ANS: A 6. ANS: C

The nurse prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcome. Which standard of nursing practice is the nurse following? a. Assessment b. Diagnosis c. Planning d. Implementation

ANS: C In planning, the registered nurse develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes. During assessment, the registered nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health and/or the situation. In diagnosis, the registered nurse analyzes the assessment data to determine the diagnoses or issues. During implementation, the registered nurse implements (carries out) the identified plan.

An experienced medical-surgical nurse chooses to work in obstetrics. Which level of proficiency is the nurse upon initial transition to the obstetrical floor? a. Novice b. Proficient c. Competent d. Advanced beginner

ANS: A A beginning nursing student or any nurse entering a situation in which there is no previous level of experience (e.g., an experienced operating room nurse chooses to now practice in home health) is an example of a novice nurse. A proficient nurse perceives a patient's clinical situation as a whole, is able to assess an entire situation, and can readily transfer knowledge gained from multiple previous experiences to a situation. A competent nurse understands the organization and specific care required by the type of patients (e.g., surgical, oncology, or orthopedic patients). This nurse is a competent practitioner who is able to anticipate nursing care and establish long-range goals. A nurse who has had some level of experience with the situation is an advanced beginner. This experience may only be observational in nature, but the nurse is able to identify meaningful aspects or principles of nursing care.

Which action by the nurse indicates a safe and efficient use of social networks? a. Promotes support for a local health charity. b. Posts a picture of a patient's infected foot. c. Vents about a patient problem at work. d. Friends a patient.

ANS: A Social networks can be a supportive source of information about patient care or professional nursing activities. Even if you post an image of a patient without any obvious identifiers, the nature of shared media reposting can result in the image surfacing in a place where just the context of the image provides clues for friends or family to identify the patient. The ANA and NCSBN states, "Effective nurse-patient relationships are built on trust. Patients need to be confident that their most personal information and their basic dignity will be protected by the nurse." Becoming friends in online chat rooms, Facebook, or other public sites can interfere with your ability to maintain a therapeutic relationship.

A home health nurse notices that a patient's preschool children are often playing on the sidewalk and in the street unsupervised and repeatedly takes them back to the home and talks with the patient, but the situation continues. Which immediate action by the nurse is mandated by law? a. Contact the appropriate community child protection facility. b. Tell the parents that the authorities will be contacted shortly. c. Take pictures of the children to support the overt child abuse. d. Discuss with both parents about the safety needs of their children.

ANS: A The nurse has a duty to report this situation to protect the children. Any health care professional who does not report suspected child abuse or neglect may be liable for civil or criminal legal action. Talking with both parents is not mandated by law. There is no obligation to tell the parents that they will be reported to authorities. There is no obligation for the nurse to take pictures of the children.

A nurse performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a 92 year old with brittle bones and breaks a rib during the procedure, which then punctures a lung. The patient recovers completely without any residual problems and sues the nurse for pain and suffering and for malpractice. Which key point will the prosecution attempt to prove against the nurse? a. The CPR procedure was done incorrectly. b. The patient would have died if nothing was done. c. The patient was resuscitated according to the policy. d. The older patient with brittle bones might sustain fractures when chest compressions are done.

ANS: A Certain criteria are necessary to establish nursing malpractice. The prosecution would try to prove that a breach of duty had occurred (CPR done incorrectly), which had caused injury. The defense team, not the prosecution, would explain the correlation between brittle bones and rib fractures during CPR and that the patient was resuscitated according to policy. In this situation, although harm was caused, it was not because of failure of the nurse to perform a duty according to standards, the way other nurses would have performed in the same situation. The fact that the patient sustained injury, as a result of age and physical status, does not mean the nurse breached any duty to the patient. The nurse would need to make sure the defense attorney knew that the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was done correctly. Without intervention, the patient most likely would not have survived.

The nurse finds it difficult to care for a patient whose advance directive states that no extraordinary resuscitation measures should be taken. Which step may help the nurse to find resolution in this assignment? a. Review one's own personal values. b. Call for an ethical committee consult. c. Decline the assignment on religious grounds. d. Convince the family to challenge the directive.

ANS: A Clarifying values—your own, your patients', your co-workers'—is an important and effective part of ethical discourse. Calling for a consult, declining the assignment, and convincing the family to challenge the patient's directive are not ideal resolutions because they do not address the reason for the nurse's discomfort, which is the conflict between the nurse's values and those of the patient. The nurse should value the patient's decisions over the nurse's personal values.

A patient has sued a post-surgical unit nurse who provided care after abdominal surgery with nursing malpractice. Which resource would be used to determine whether the nurse has acted in a prudent manner? a. Scope and Standards of Nursing Care b. The typical level of care provided by other unit nurses c. The testimony of the patient's primary health care provider d. Comparison of documentation of the care provided by the nurse to similar patients

ANS: A During a malpractice suit, a nurse's actual conduct is compared to nursing standards of care (i.e., Scope and Standards of Nursing Care [ANA, 2015]) to determine whether the nurse acted as any reasonably prudent nurse would act under the same or similar circumstances. None of the other options would serve to validate the care that was appropriate for the patient at this time and by the nurse providing the care.

A nurse is using a guide that provides principles of right and wrong to provide care to patients. Which guide is the nurse using? a. Code of ethics b. Standards of practice c. Standards of professional performance d. Quality and safety education for nurses

ANS: A The code of ethics is the philosophical ideals of right and wrong that define the principles you will use to provide care to your patients. The standards of practice describe a competent level of nursing care. The ANA Standards of Professional Performance describe a competent level of behavior in the professional role. Quality and safety education for nurses addresses the challenge to prepare nurses with the competencies needed to continuously improve the quality of care in their work environments.

A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has been given a bed bath by a new nursing assistive personnel (NAP). The nurse evaluating the cleanliness of the patient notices crusting at the urinary meatus. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Asks the nursing assistive personnel to observe while the nurse performs catheter care. b. Leaves the room and ask the nursing assistive personnel to go back and perform proper catheter care. c. Tells the nursing assistive personnel that the incident will be reported to the nurse manager. d. Remove the catheter

ANS: A If the staff member's performance is not satisfactory, give constructive and appropriate feedback. You may discover the need to review a procedure with staff and offer demonstration. Because the nursing assistant is new, it is best for the nurse to perform catheter care while the assistant observes. This action will ensure that the assistant has been shown the proper way to perform the task and fosters collaboration rather than leaving the room just to tell the assistant to come back. The catheter does not need to be removed since there is no indication that the reason for its insertion has been resolved. Neither of the remaining options serve to correct the problem; the NAP's catheter care technique.

A 17-year-old patient, dying of heart failure, wants to have organs removed for transplantation after death. Which action by the nurse is correct? a. Instruct the patient to talk with parents about the desire to donate organs. b. Notify the health care provider about the patient's desire to donate organs. c. Prepare the organ donation form for the patient to sign while still oriented. d. Contact the United Network for Organ Sharing after talking with the patient.

ANS: A In this situation, the parents would need to sign the form because the teenager is under age 18. An individual who is at least 18 may sign the form allowing organ donation upon death. The nurse cannot allow the patient to sign the organ donation document because the patient is younger than age 18. The health care provider will be notified about the patient's wishes after the parents agree to donate the organs. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has a contract with the federal government and sets policies and guidelines for the procurement of organs.

Four patients in labor all request epidural analgesia to manage their pain at the same time. Which ethical principle is most compromised when only one nurse anesthetist is on call? a. Justice b. Fidelity c. Beneficence d. Nonmaleficence

ANS: A Justice refers to fairness and is used frequently in discussion regarding access to health care resources. Here the just distribution of resources, in this case pain management, cannot be justly apportioned. Nonmaleficence refers to avoidance of harm; beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises. Each of these principles is partially expressed in the question; however, justice is most comprised because not all laboring patients have equal access to pain management owing to lack of personnel resources

Which nurse most likely kept records on sanitation techniques and the effects on health? a. Florence Nightingale b. Mary Nutting c. Clara Barton d. Lillian Wald

ANS: A Nightingale was the first practicing nurse epidemiologist. Her statistical analyses connected poor sanitation with cholera and dysentery. Mary Nutting, Clara Barton, and Lillian Wald came after Nightingale, each contributing to the nursing profession in her own way. Mary Nutting was instrumental in moving nursing education into universities. Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. Lillian Wald helped open the Henry Street Settlement.

The patient reports to the nurse of being afraid to speak up regarding a desire to end care for fear of upsetting spouse and children. Which principle in the nursing code of ethics ensures that the nurse will promote the patient's cause? a. Advocacy b. Responsibility c. Confidentiality d. Accountability

ANS: A Nurses advocate for patients when they support the patient's cause. A nurse's ability to adequately advocate for a patient is based on the unique relationship that develops and the opportunity to better understand the patient's point of view. Responsibility refers to respecting one's professional obligations and following through on promises. Confidentiality deals with privacy issues, and accountability refers to answering for one's actions.

A nurse is using nursing theory and the nursing process simultaneously to plan nursing care. How will the nurse use nursing theory and the nursing process in practice? a. Nursing theory can direct how a nurse uses the nursing process. b. Nursing theory requires the nursing process to develop knowledge. c. Nursing theory with the nursing process has a minor role in professional nursing. d. Nursing theory combined with the nursing process is specific to certain ill patients.

ANS: A Nursing theory can direct how a nurse uses the nursing process. Integration of theory into practice (nursing process) serves as the basis for professional nursing. The nursing process provides a systematic process for the delivery of care, not the knowledge component of the discipline. Useful theories are adaptable to different patients and to all care settings.

A nurse is conducting research about the needs of depressed patients. The nurse writes the following: Depression is a patient reporting a score above 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. What did the nurse write? a. Operational definition b. Conceptual definition c. Paradigm d. Concept

ANS: A Operational definitions state how concepts are measured (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Theoretical or conceptual definitions simply define a particular concept, much like what can be found in a dictionary, based on the theorist's perspective (a mood disorder causing severe sadness and apathy). A paradigm is a pattern of beliefs used to describe a discipline's domain. Think of concepts as ideas and mental images, like depression is a concept.

The home health nurse listens to the patient's concerns about having "open-heart" surgery. The nurse explains the different surgical procedures and other options, like cardiac rehabilitation. After several visits, the patient wants cardiac rehabilitation. The nurse notifies the health care provider and sets up a referral. Which theory is the nurse using? a. Peplau's theory b. Henderson's theory c. Nightingale's theory d. Orem's self-care deficit theory

ANS: A Peplau's theory focuses on the individual, the nurse, and the interactive process or nurse-patient relationship. The nurse serves as a resource person, counselor, and surrogate. Henderson's theory focuses on helping the patient with activities that the patient would perform unaided if he or she were able. Nightingale viewed nursing not as limited to the administration of medications and treatments but rather as oriented toward providing fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and adequate nutrition. The goal of Orem's theory is to help the patient perform self-care.

A nurse is assigned to care for the following patients who all need vital signs scheduled to be taken now. Which patient is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate vital sign measurement to the nursing assistive personnel (NAP)? a. Patient scheduled for a procedure in the nuclear medicine department b. Patient transferring from the intensive care unit (ICU) c. Patient returning from a cardiac catheterization d. Patient returning from hip replacement surgery

ANS: A The nurse does not assign vital sign measurement or other tasks to NAP when patients are experiencing a change in level of care. The patient awaiting the procedure in nuclear medicine is the only patient who has not experienced a change in level of care. According to the rights of delegation, tasks that are repetitive, require little supervision, are relatively noninvasive, have results that are predictable, and have minimal risk can be delegated to assistive personnel. The patient in this question with the most predictable condition is the patient awaiting the nuclear medicine procedure. Once the nurse determines that the other patients are stable, the nurse could delegate their future vital sign measurement to the NAP. However, it is important for the nurse to assess patients coming from the ICU, the cardiac cath lab, and surgery when they first arrive on the unit.

A nurse manager sent one of the staff nurses on the unit to a conference about new, evidence-based wound care techniques. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to prepare a poster to present at the next unit meeting, which will be mandatory for all nursing staff on the unit. Which type of opportunity is the nurse manager providing for the staff? a. Staff education b. Interprofessional collaboration c. Providing a professional shared governance council d. Establishing a nursing practice committee

ANS: A The nurse manager is planning a staff education opportunity. Staff education is one way the nurse manager supports staff involvement in a shared decision-making model. Interprofessional collaboration between nurses and health care providers (e.g., MD, PT, TR, etc.) is critical to the delivery of quality, safe patient care and the creation of a positive work culture for practitioners. The question does not state that the nurse is establishing a practice committee or a professional shared governance council. Chaired by senior clinical staff nurses, these groups establish and maintain care standards for nursing practice on their work unit.

A nurse is making a home visit and discovers that a patient's wound infection has gotten worse. The nurse cleans and redresses the wound. What should the nurse do next? a. Notify the health care provider of the findings before leaving the home. b. Ask the home health facility nurse manager to contact the health care provider. c. Document the findings and confirm with the patient the date of the next home visit. d. Tell the patient that the health care provider will be notified before the next home visit.

ANS: A The nurse should notify the health care provider before leaving the home. Regardless of the setting, an enriching professional environment is one in which staff members respect one another's ideas, share information, and keep one another informed. The manager should avoid taking care of problems for staff. The staff nurse needs to learn how to professionally communicate with other members of the health care team and demonstrate interprofessional collaboration.

A nurse is using theoretical knowledge in nursing practice to provide patient care. Which nursing behavior is an example of theoretical knowledge? a. Reads about different concepts. b. Reflects on clinical experiences. c. Combines the art and science of nursing. d. Creates a narrow understanding of nursing practice.

ANS: A Theoretical knowledge is acquired through "reading, observing, or discussing" concepts. The goals of theoretical knowledge are to stimulate thinking and create a broad understanding of nursing science and practices. Experiential, or clinical, knowledge is formed from nurses' clinical experiences. Both types of knowledge are needed in order to provide safe, comprehensive nursing care.

The nurse is caring for a patient who does not follow the prescribed regimen for diabetes management. As a prescriber to Orem's theory, the nurse interviews the patient in an attempt to identify the cause of the patient's "nonadherence." What is the rationale for the nurse's behavior? a. Orem's theory is useful in designing interventions to promote self-care. b. Orem's theory focuses on cultural issues that may affect compliance. c. Orem's theory allows for reduction of anxiety with communication. d. Orem's theory helps nurses manipulate the patient's environment.

ANS: A When applying Orem's theory, a nurse continually assesses a patient's ability to perform self-care and intervenes as needed to ensure that the patients meet physical, psychological, sociological, and developmental needs. According to Orem, people who participate in self-care activities are more likely to improve their health outcomes. Leininger's culture care theory focuses on culture diversity and provides culturally specific nursing care. According to Peplau, nurses help patients reduce anxiety by converting it into constructive actions, using therapeutic communication. Nightingale's grand theory is a patient's environment can be manipulated by nurses to restore a patient to health.

A nurse is caring for pediatric patients and using the developmental theory to plan nursing care. What is the focus of this nurse's care? a. Humans have an orderly, predictive process of growth and development. b. Humans respond to threats by adapting with growth and development. c. Humans respond with cognitive principles for growth and development. d. Humans have psychosocial domains to growth and development.

ANS: A With developmental theory, human growth and development is an orderly predictive process that begins with conception and continues through death. Stress/adaptation theories describe how humans respond to threats by adapting in order to maintain function and life. Educational theories explain the teaching-learning process by examining behavioral, cognitive, and adult-learning principles. Psychosocial theories explain human responses within the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual domains.

A nurse prepares the budget and policies for an intensive care unit. Which role is the nurse implementing? a. Educator b. Manager c. Advocate d. Caregiver

ANS: B A manager coordinates the activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care and has personnel, policy, and budgetary responsibility for a specific nursing unit or facility. As an educator, you explain concepts and facts about health, describe the reason for routine care activities, demonstrate procedures such as self-care activities, reinforce learning or patient behavior, and evaluate the patient's progress in learning. As a patient advocate, you protect your patient's human and legal rights and provide assistance in asserting these rights if the need arises. As a caregiver, you help patients maintain and regain health, manage disease and symptoms, and attain a maximal level function and independence through the healing process.

The nurse hears a health care provider say to the charge nurse that a certain nurse cannot care for patients because the nurse is stupid and won't follow orders. The health care provider also writes in the patient's medical records that the same nurse, by name, is not to care for any of the patients because of incompetence. Which torts has the health care provider committed? (Select all that apply.) a. Libel b. Slander c. Assault d. Battery e. Invasion of privacy

ANS: A, B Slander occurred when the health care provider spoke falsely about the nurse, and libel occurred when the health care provider wrote false information in the chart. Both of these situations could cause problems for the nurse's reputation. Invasion of privacy is the release of a patient's medical information to an unauthorized person such as a member of the press, the patient's employer, or the patient's family. Assault is any action that places a person in reasonable fear of harmful, imminent, or unwelcome contact. No actual contact is required for an assault to occur. Battery is any intentional touching without consent.

A nurse is preparing a teaching session about contemporary influences on nursing. Which examples should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) a. Human rights b. Affordable Care Act c. Demographic changes d. Medically underserved e. Decreasing health care costs

ANS: A, B, C, D Multiple external forces affect nursing, including the need for nurses' self-care, Affordable Care Act (ACA) and rising (not decreasing) health care costs, demographic changes of the population, human rights, and increasing numbers of medically underserved.

A nurse wants to incorporate psychosocial theories into nursing practice. Which elements will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) a. Physiological needs of the patient b. Psychological needs of the patient c. Sociocultural needs of the patient d. Cognitive needs of the patient e. Spiritual needs of the patient

ANS: A, B, C, E When nursing incorporates psychosocial theories into nursing practice, the nurse strives to meet the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual needs of patients. Cognitive needs of the patient are included in educational theories.

A patient has approximately 6 months to live and asks about a do not resuscitate (DNR) order. Which statements by the nurse give the patient correct information? (Select all that apply.) a. "You will be resuscitated unless there is a DNR order in the chart." b. "If you want certain procedures or actions taken or not taken, and you might not be able to tell anyone at the time, you need to complete documents ahead of time that give your health care provider this information." c. "You will be resuscitated at any time to allow you the longest length of survival." d. "If you decide you want a DNR order, you will need to talk to your health care provider." e. "If you travel to another state, your living will should cover your wishes."

ANS: A, B, D Health care providers perform CPR on an appropriate patient unless a do not resuscitate (DNR) order has been placed in the patient's chart. The statutes assume that all patients will be resuscitated unless a written DNR order is found in the chart. Legally competent adult patients can consent to a DNR order verbally or in writing after receiving appropriate information from the health care provider. A health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) is a legal document that designates a person or persons of one's choosing to make health care decisions when the patient is no longer able to make decisions on his or her own behalf. This agent makes health care treatment decisions based on the patient's wishes, like a DNR. Resuscitation is performed anytime (not just for the longest length of survival) unless a DNR is written in the chart. Differences among the states have been noted regarding advance directives, so the patient should check state laws to see if a state will honor an advance directive that was originated in another state.

A nurse is a member of the ethics committee. Which roles will the nurse fulfill in this committee? (Select all that apply.) a. Educator b. Case consultant c. Purchasing Agent d. Direct patient care provider e. Policy reviewer and recommender

ANS: A, B, E An ethics committee devoted to the teaching and processing of ethical issues and dilemmas exists in most health care facilities. It is generally multidisciplinary and it serves several purposes: education, policy recommendation, and case consultation. It does not have purchasing power or provide direct patient care.

A nurse is using a nursing metaparadigm to define nursing. Which concepts will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) a. Person b. Disease c. Health d. Nursing e. Environment

ANS: A, C, D, E Nursing's metaparadigm includes four concepts: person, health, environment/situation, and nursing. Disease is not part of nursing's metaparadigm.

The nurse manager from the oncology unit has had two callouts; the orthopedic unit has had multiple discharges and probably will have to cancel one or two of its nurses. The orthopedic unit has agreed to "float" two of its nurses to the oncology unit if oncology can "float" a nursing assistant to the orthopedic unit to help with obtaining vital signs. Which concepts does this situation entail? (Select all that apply.) a. Autonomy b. Informatics c. Accountability d. Political activism e. Teamwork and collaboration

ANS: A, C, E Staffing is an independent nursing intervention and is an example of autonomy. Along with increased autonomy comes accountability or responsibility for outcomes of an action. When nurses work together, this is teamwork and collaboration. Informatics is the use of information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making. Political activism usually involves more than day-to-day activities such as unit staffing

The nurse calculates the medication dose for an infant on the pediatric unit and determines that the dose is twice what it should be based upon the drug book's information. The pediatrician is contacted and says to administer the medication as ordered. Which actions should the nurse take next? (Select all that apply.) a. Notify the nursing supervisor. b. Administer the medication as ordered. c. Give the amount listed in the drug book. d. Ask the mother to give the drug to her child. e. Check the chain of command policy for such situations.

ANS: A, E If the health care provider confirms an order and the nurse still believes that it is inappropriate, the nurse should inform the supervising nurse and follow the established chain of command. Nurses follow health care providers' orders unless they believe the orders are in error or may harm patients. Therefore, the nurse needs to assess all orders. If an order seems to be erroneous or harmful, further clarification from the health care provider is necessary. The supervising nurse should be able to help resolve the questionable order, but only the health care provider who wrote the order or a health care provider covering for the one who wrote the order can change the order. Harm to the infant could occur if the medication is given as ordered. The nurse cannot change an order by giving the amount listed in the drug book. Asking the mother to give the drug is inappropriate

How can a nurse assigned to a medical unit at a local hospital best address issues related to the delivery of quality nursing care? a. Serve as a volunteer patient advocate at the local free health clinic. b. Become active in professional nursing organizations at the state level. c. Ask to be a member of the hospital's policy and procedure committee d. Agree to act as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical experience

ANS: B As a professional nurse, it is important to remain aware of current issues in health care. Become involved in professional organizations and committees that define the standards of care for nursing practice. If current laws, rules and regulations, or policies under which nurses practice are not evidence based, advocate to ensure that the scope of nursing practice is defined accurately. While the other options are all associated with effecting quality nursing care, none have the degree of effectiveness as working directly with nursing organizations to define standards of nursing care.

While recovering from a severe illness, a hospitalized patient wants to change a living will, which was signed 9 months ago. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "Check with your admitting health care provider whether a copy is on your chart." b. "Let me check with someone here in the hospital who can assist you." c. "You are not allowed to ever change a living will after signing it." d. "Your living will can be changed only once each calendar year."

ANS: B As long as the patient is not declared legally incompetent or lacks the capacity to make decisions, living wills can be changed. It is the nurse's responsibility to find an appropriate person in the facility to assist the patient. Checking with the health care provider about the presence of a living will on the chart has nothing to do with the patient's desire to change the living will. The question states that the patient wants to change a living will. A living will can be changed whenever the patient decides to change it, as long as the patient is competent.

The nurse has become aware of missing narcotics in the patient care area. Which ethical principle obligates the nurse to report the missing medications? a. Advocacy b. Responsibility c. Confidentiality d. Accountability

ANS: B Responsibility refers to one's willingness to respect and adhere to one's professional obligations. It is the nurse's responsibility to report missing narcotics. Accountability refers to the ability to answer for one's actions. Advocacy refers to the support of a particular cause. The concept of confidentiality is very important in health care and involves protecting patients' personal health information.

During a severe respiratory epidemic, the local health care organizations decide to give health care workers priority access to ventilators over other members of the community who also need that resource. Which philosophy would give the strongest support for this decision? a. Deontology b. Utilitarianism c. Ethics of care d. Feminist ethics

ANS: B Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest good for the most people; the organizations decide to ensure that as many health care workers as possible will survive to care for other members of the community. Deontology defines actions as right or wrong based on their "right-making characteristics" such as fidelity to promises, truthfulness, and justice. Feminist ethics looks to the nature of relationships to guide participants in making difficult decisions, especially relationships in which power is unequal or in which a point of view has become ignored or invisible. The ethics of care and feminist ethics are closely related, but ethics of care emphasizes the role of feelings.

A nurse is testing meditation for migraine headaches and the expected outcome of care when performing this intervention. Which type of theory is the nurse using? a. Grand b. Prescriptive c. Descriptive d. Middle-range

ANS: B A prescriptive theory details nursing interventions (meditation) for a specific phenomenon (migraine headaches) and the expected outcome of the care. Grand theories are broad in scope and complex and require further specification through research; it does not provide guidance for specific nursing interventions. Descriptive theories do not direct specific nursing activities but help to explain patient assessment. A middle-range theory tends to focus on a concept found in a specific field of nursing, such as uncertainty, incontinence, social support, quality of life, and caring, rather than reflect on a wide variety of nursing care situations.

While providing care to a patient, the nurse is responsible, both professionally and legally, for the appropriateness and proper execution of the care. Which concept does this describe? a. Autonomy b. Accountability c. Patient advocacy d. Patient education

ANS: B Accountability means that the nurse is responsible, professionally and legally, for the type and quality of nursing care provided. Autonomy is an essential element of professional nursing that involves the initiation of independent nursing interventions without medical orders. As a patient advocate, the nurse protects the patient's human and legal rights and provides assistance in asserting these rights if the need arises. As an educator, the nurse explains concepts and facts about health, describes the reasons for routine care activities, demonstrates procedures such as self-care activities, reinforces learning or patient behavior, and evaluates the patient's progress in learning.

A nursing student has been written up several times for being late with providing patient care and for omitting aspects of patient care and not knowing basic procedures that were taught in the skills course one term earlier. The nursing student says, "I don't understand what the big deal is. As my instructor, you are there to protect me and make sure I don't make mistakes." What is the best response from the nursing instructor? a. "You are practicing under the license of the hospital's insurance." b. "You are expected to perform at the level of a professional nurse." c. "You are expected to perform at the level of a prudent nursing student." d. "You are practicing under the license of the nurse assigned to the patient."

ANS: B Although nursing students are not employees of the health care facility where they are having their clinical experience, they are expected to perform as professional nurses would in providing safe patient care. Different levels of standards do not apply. No standard is used for nursing students other than that they must meet the standards of a professional nurse. Student nurses do not practice under anybody's license; nursing students are liable if their actions exceed their scope of practice or cause harm to patients.

A recent immigrant who does not speak English is alert but requires hospitalization. What is the initial action that the nurse must take to enable informed consent to be obtained? a. Ask a family member to translate what the nurse is saying. b. Request an official interpreter to explain the terms of consent. c. Notify the nursing manager that the patient doesn't speak English. d. Use hand gestures and medical equipment while explaining in English.

ANS: B An official interpreter must be present to explain the terms of consent if a patient speaks only a foreign language. A family member or acquaintance who speaks a patient's language should not interpret health information. Family members can tell those caring for the patient what the patient is saying, but privacy regarding the patient's condition, assessment, etc., must be protected. A nurse can take care of requesting an interpreter, and the nurse manager is not needed. Using hand gestures and medical equipment is inappropriate when communicating with a patient who does not understand the language spoken. Certain hand gestures may be acceptable in one culture and not appropriate in another. The medical equipment may be unknown and frightening to the patient, and the patient still doesn't understand what is being said.

A nurse assesses a patient's fluid status and decides that the patient needs to drink more fluids. The nurse then encourages the patient to drink more fluids. Which concept is the nurse demonstrating? a. Licensure b. Autonomy c. Certification d. Accountability

ANS: B Autonomy is an essential element of professional nursing that involves the initiation of independent nursing interventions without medical orders. To obtain licensure in the United States, the RN candidate must pass the NCLEX-RN®. Beyond the NCLEX-RN®, the nurse may choose to work toward certification in a specific area of nursing practice. Accountability means that you are responsible, professionally and legally, for the type and quality of nursing care provided.

A staff member verbalizes satisfaction in working on a particular nursing unit because of the freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. This nurse highly values which element of shared decision making? a. Authority b. Autonomy c. Responsibility d. Accountability

ANS: B Autonomy is freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. Authority refers to legitimate power to give commands and make final decisions specific to a given position. Responsibility refers to the duties and activities that an individual is employed to perform. Accountability refers to individuals being answerable for their actions.

A nurse is teaching the staff about Benner's levels of proficiency. In which order should the nurse place the levels from beginning level to ending level? 1. Expert 2. Novice 3. Proficient 4. Competent 5. Advanced beginner a. 2, 4, 5, 1, 3 b. 2, 5, 4, 3, 1 c. 4, 2, 5, 3, 1 d. 4, 5, 2, 1, 3

ANS: B Benner's levels of proficiency are as follows: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.

A nurse has compassion fatigue. What is the nurse experiencing? a. Lateral violence and intrapersonal conflict b. Burnout and secondary traumatic stress c. Short-term grief and single stressor d. Physical and mental exhaustion

ANS: B Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe a state of burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Compassion fatigue may contribute to what is described as lateral violence (nurse-nurse interactions, not intrapersonal). Frequent, intense, or prolonged exposure to grief and loss places nurses at risk for developing compassion fatigue. Stressors, not a single stressor, contribute to compassion fatigue. Physical and mental exhaustion describes burnout only.

A graduate of a baccalaureate degree program plans to start working as a registered nurse (RN) in the emergency department. Which action must the nurse take first? a. Obtain certification for an emergency nurse. b. Pass the National Council Licensure Examination. c. Take a course on genomics to provide competent emergency care. d. Complete the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems

ANS: B Currently, in the United States, the most common way to become a registered nurse (RN) is through completion of an associate degree or baccalaureate degree program. Graduates of both programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses in the state in which they will practice. Certification can be obtained after passing the NCLEX and working for the specified amount of time. Genomics is a newer term that describes the study of all the genes in a person and interactions of these genes with one another and with that person's environment. Consumers can also access Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems (HCAHPS) to obtain information about patients' perspectives on hospital care.

A nurse is experiencing an ethical dilemma with a patient. Recognizing what information as a factor indicates the nurse has a correct understanding of the primary cause of ethical dilemmas? a. Unequal power b. Presence of conflicting values c. Judgmental perceptions of patients d. Poor communication with the patient

ANS: B Ethical dilemmas almost always occur in the presence of conflicting values. While unequal power, judgmental perceptions, and poor communication can contribute to the dilemma, these are not causes of a dilemma. Without clarification of values, the nurse may not be able to distinguish fact from opinion or value, and this can lead to judgmental attitudes.

Upon assessment, the nurse notices that the patient's respirations have increased, and the tip of the nose and earlobes are becoming cyanotic. The nurse finds that the patient's pulse rate is over 100 beats per minute. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the nurse address first? a. Self-esteem b. Physiological c. Self-actualization d. Love and belonging

ANS: B Maslow's hierarchy is useful in setting patient priorities. Basic physiological and safety needs are usually the first priority. After the physiological and safety needs are met, the nurse can move to love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

The nurse has a goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Which activity is appropriate for a CRNA? a. Manages gynecological services such as PAP smears. b. Works under the guidance of an anesthesiologist. c. Obtains a PhD degree in anesthesiology. d. Coordinates acute medical conditions.

ANS: B Nurse anesthetists provide surgical anesthesia under the guidance and supervision of an anesthesiologist, who is a physician (health care provider) with advanced knowledge of surgical anesthesia. Nurse practitioners, not CRNAs, manage self-limiting acute and chronic stable medical conditions; certified nurse-midwives provide gynecological services such as routine Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. The CRNA is an RN with an advanced education in a nurse anesthesia accredited program. A PhD is not a requirement.

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with essential hypertension. The health care provider prescribes blood pressure medication that the nurse administers. The nurse then monitors the patient's blood pressure for several days to help determine effectiveness. Which system component is the nurse evaluating? a. Input b. Output c. Content d. Feedback

ANS: B Output is the end product of a system and, in the case of the nursing process, it is defined as whether the patient's health status improves or remains stable as a result of nursing care. Input consists of the data that come from a patient's assessment. Feedback serves to inform a system about how it functions. Content is the product and information obtained from the system.

A nurse is teaching a patient and family about quality of life. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching session about quality of life? a. It is deeply social. b. It is hard to define and deeply personal c. It is an observed measurement for most people. d. It is consistent and stable over the course of one's lifetime.

ANS: B Quality of life remains deeply individual (not social) and difficult to predict. Quality of life is not just a measurable entity but a shared responsibility. Quality of life measures may take into account the age of the patient, the patient's ability to live independently, his or her ability to contribute to society in a gainful way, and other nuanced measures of quality.

The nurse has been working in the clinical setting for several years as an advanced practice nurse. However, the nurse has a strong desire to pursue research and theory development. To fulfill this desire, which program should the nurse attend? a. Doctor of Nursing Science degree (DNSc) b. Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) c. Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) d. Doctor in the Science of Nursing degree (DSN)

ANS: B Some doctoral programs prepare nurses for more rigorous research and theory development and award the research-oriented Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing. Professional doctoral programs in nursing (DSN or DNSc) prepare graduates to apply research findings to clinical nursing. The DNP is a practice doctorate that prepares advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners.

A pediatric oncology nurse floats to an orthopedic trauma unit. Which action should the nurse manager of the orthopedic unit take to enable safe care to be given by this nurse? a. Provide a complete orientation to the functioning of the entire unit. b. Determine patient acuity and care the nurse can safely provide. c. Allow the nurse to choose which mealtime works best. d. Assign nursing assistive personnel to assist with care.

ANS: B Supervisors are liable if they give staff nurses an assignment that they cannot safely handle. Nurses who float must inform the supervisor of any lack of experience in caring for the types of patients on the nursing unit. They should request and receive an orientation to the unit. A basic orientation is needed, whereas a complete orientation of the functioning of the entire unit would take a period of time that would exceed what the nurse has to spend on orientation. Allowing nurses to choose which mealtime they would like is a nice gesture of thanks for the nurse, but it does not enable safe care. Having nursing assistive personnel may help the nurse complete basic tasks such as hygiene and turning, but it does not enable safe nursing care that the nurse and manager are ultimately responsible for.

A new nurse notes that the health care unit keeps a listing of patient names in a closed book behind the front desk of the nursing station so patients can be located easily. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to take? a. Talk with the nurse manager about the listing being a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). b. Use the book as needed while keeping it away from individuals not involved in patient care. c. Move the book to the upper ledge of the nursing station for easier access. d. Ask the nurse manager to move the book to a more secluded area.

ANS: B The book is located where only staff would have access so the nurse can use the book as needed. The privacy section of the HIPAA provides standards regarding accountability in the health care setting. These rules include patient rights to consent to the use and disclosure of their protected health information, to inspect and copy their medical record, and to amend mistaken or incomplete information. It is not the responsibility of the new nurse to move items used by others on the patient unit. The listing is protected as long as it is used appropriately as needed to provide care. There is no need to move the book to a more secluded area.

The nurse is caring for a patient who is actively bleeding. The health care provider prescribes blood transfusions. The patient is a Jehovah's Witness and does not want blood products. The nurse contacts the health care provider to request alternative treatment. Which theory is the nurse using? a. Roy's theory b. Leininger's theory c. Watson's theory d. Orem's theory

ANS: B The goal of Leininger's theory is to provide the patient with culturally specific nursing care that integrates the patient's cultural traditions, values, and beliefs into the plan of care. The goal of Roy's model is to help the person adapt to changes in physiological needs, self-concept, role function, and interdependence domains. Watson's theory believes that the purpose of nursing action is to understand the interrelationship between health, illness, and human behavior. The goal of Orem's theory is to help the patient perform self-care.

The patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and will be discharged in the next day or so. The nurse is teaching the patient how to draw up and self-administer insulin. Which nursing theory is the nurse utilizing? a. Watson's theory b. Orem's theory c. Roger's theory d. Henderson's theory

ANS: B The goal of Orem's theory is to help the patient perform self-care. In Watson's theory, the nurse is concerned with promoting and restoring health and preventing illness. Roger's theory considers caring as a fundamental component of professional nursing practice and is based upon 10 curative factors. Henderson defines nursing as assisting patients with 14 activities until patients can meet these needs for themselves.

The nurse questions a health care provider's decision to not tell the patient about a cancer diagnosis. Which ethical principle is the nurse trying to uphold for the patient? a. Consequentialism b. Autonomy c. Fidelity d. Justice

ANS: B The nurse is upholding autonomy. Autonomy refers to the freedom to make decisions free of external control. Respect for patient autonomy refers to the commitment to include patients in decisions about all aspects of care. Consequentialism is focused on the outcome and is a philosophical approach. Justice refers to fairness and is most often used in discussions about access to health care resources. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises.

A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports seeing a reddened area on the patient's hip while bathing the patient. Which action should the nurse take? a. Request a wound nurse consult. b. Go to the patient's room to assess the patient's skin. c. Document the finding per the NAP's report. d. Ask the NAP to apply a dressing over the reddened area.

ANS: B The nurse needs to assess the patient's skin. Assessment should not be delegated; it is the responsibility of the licensed registered nurse. The nurse needs to document the assessment findings objectively, not subjectively, per the nursing assistive personnel. Before requesting a consult or determining treatment, the nurse needs to assess the skin.

A nurse teaches a group of nursing students about nurse practice acts. Which information is most important to include in the teaching session about nurse practice acts? a. Protects the nurse. b. Protects the public. c. Protects the provider. d. Protects the hospital.

ANS: B The nurse practice acts regulate the scope of nursing practice and protect public health, safety, and welfare. They do not protect the nurse, provider, or hospital.

The patient requires routine gynecological services after giving birth to her son, and while seeing the nurse-midwife, the patient asks for a referral to a pediatrician for the newborn. Which action should the nurse-midwife take initially? a. Provide the referral as requested. b. Offer to provide the newborn care. c. Refer the patient to the supervising provider. d. Tell the patient that is not allowed to make referrals

ANS: B The practice of nurse-midwifery involves providing independent care for women during normal pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as care for the newborn. After being apprised of the midwifery role, if the patient insists on seeing a pediatrician, the nurse-midwife should provide the referral. The supervising provider is an obstetric provider, not a pediatrician. A nurse-midwife can make referrals.

A nurse assigned to an intensive care unit (critical care) is most likely using what type of nursing care delivery model?? a. Team nursing b. Total patient care c. Primary nursing d. Case-management

ANS: B Total patient care is found primarily in critical care areas. Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. In the team nursing care model, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff members. Case-management is a care approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs.

When professionals work together to solve ethical dilemmas, nurses must examine their own values. What is the best rationale for this step? a. So fact is separated from opinion. b. So different perspectives are respected. c. So judgmental attitudes can be provoked. d. So the group identifies the one correct solution.

ANS: B Values are personal beliefs that influence behavior. To negotiate differences of value, it is important to be clear about your own values: what you value, why, and how you respect your own values even as you try to respect those of others whose values differ from yours. Ethical dilemmas are a problem in that no one right solution exists. It is not to separate fact from opinion. Judgmental attitudes are not to be used, much less provoked.

A nurse is teaching the staff about professional negligence or malpractice. Which criteria to establish negligence will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.) a. Injury did not occur. b. That duty was breached. c. Nurse carried out the duty. d. Duty of care was owed to the patient. e. Patient understands benefits and risks of a procedure.

ANS: B, D Certain criteria are necessary to establish nursing malpractice: (1) the nurse (defendant) owed a duty of care to the patient (plaintiff), (2) the nurse did not carry out or breached that duty, (3) the patient was injured, and (4) the nurse's failure to carry out the duty caused the injury. If an injury did not occur and the nurse carried out the duty, no malpractice occurred. When a patient understands benefits and risks of the procedure that is informed consent, not malpractice.

After licensure, the nurse wants to stay current in knowledge and skills. Which programs are the most common ways nurses can do this? (Select all that apply.) a. Master's degree b. Inservice education c. Doctoral preparation d. Continuing education e. National Council Licensure Examination retakes

ANS: B, D Continuing education programs help nurses maintain current nursing skills, gain new knowledge and theory, and obtain new skills reflecting the changes in the health care delivery system. Inservice education programs are provided by a health care facility to increase the knowledge, skills, and competencies of nurses employed by the institution. Both can help the nurse stay current. Master's degree programs are valuable for those in the role of nurse educator, nurse administrator, or advanced practice nurse. Professional doctoral programs in nursing (DSN or DNSc) prepare graduates to apply research findings to clinical nursing. National Council Licensure Examination retakes are not to keep current; this test is taken to enter RN practice.

The nurse is caring for a dying patient. Which intervention is considered futile? a. Giving pain medication for pain b. Providing oral care every 5 hours c. Administering the influenza vaccine d. Supporting lower extremities with pillows

ANS: C Administering the influenza vaccine is futile. A vaccine is administered to prevent or lessen the likelihood of contracting an infectious disease at some time in the future. The term futile refers to something that is hopeless or serves no useful purpose. In health care discussions, the term refers to interventions unlikely to produce benefit for a patient. Care delivered to a patient at the end of life that is focused on pain management, oral hygiene, and comfort measures is not futile.

A patient is scheduled for surgery. When getting ready to obtain the informed consent, the patient tells the nurse, "I have no idea what is going to happen. I couldn't ask any questions." The nurse does not allow the patient to sign the permit and notifies the health care provider of the situation. Which role is the nurse displaying? a. Manager b. Patient educator c. Patient advocate d. Clinical nurse specialist

ANS: C As a patient advocate, the nurse protects the patient's human and legal rights, including the right of the patient to understand procedures before signing permits. Although nurses can be educators, it is the responsibility of the surgeon to provide education for the patient in preparation for surgery, and it is the nurse's responsibility to notify the health care provider if the patient is not properly educated. Managers coordinate the activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care, and clinical nurse specialists are experts in a specialized area of nursing practice in a variety of settings.

A nurse works full time on the oncology unit at the hospital and works part time on weekends giving immunizations at the local chain pharmacy. While giving an injection on a weekend, the nurse caused injury to the patient's arm and is now being sued. What initial action should the nurse take to initiate an effective legal defense? a. Notify the hospital of the situation to secure legal counsel by the hospital's private attorney. b. Notify the manager of the pharmacy so that the corporation can provide legal counsel. c. Inform the insurance company that is providing one's professional licensure defense insurance. d. Immediately contact the State Board of Nursing to assure protecting the validity of the nursing license.

ANS: C Nurses often presume that either their personal or their employer's malpractice insurance will include costs of defending and retaining their nursing license. In most instances this is not true. Professional licensure defense insurance is a contract between a nurse and an insurance company. When a complaint is made to the State Board of Nursing, an action is initiated that could result in a restriction, suspension, or revocation of the nurse's license to practice. When a nurse specifically has professional licensure defense insurance, the nurse notifies the company. In this situation, neither employer should be relied upon to provide effective legal counsel.

The nurse researcher is evaluating whether holding pressure at an injection site after injecting the anticoagulant enoxaparin will reduce bruising at the injection site. This study involves a prescriptive theory. What is the nurse's rationale for involving a prescriptive theory? a. It explains why bruising occurs. b. It is broad in scope and complex. c. It tests a specific nursing intervention. d. It reflects a wide variety of nursing care situations.

ANS: C Prescriptive theories detail nursing interventions for a specific phenomenon and the expected outcome of the care but it does not explain why. Grand theories are broad in scope and complex and focus on a wide variety of nursing care situations.

Which approach will be most appropriate for a nurse to take when faced with the challenge of performing many tasks in one shift? a. Do as much as possible by oneself before seeking assistance from others. b. Evaluate the effectiveness of all tasks when all tasks are completed. c. Complete one task before starting another task. d. Delegate tasks the nurse does not like doing.

ANS: C The appropriate clinical care coordination skill in these options is to complete one task before starting another task. Good time management involves setting goals to help the nurse complete one task before starting another task. Evaluation is ongoing and should not be completed just at the end of task completion. The nurse should not delegate tasks simply because the nurse does not like doing them. The nurse should use delegation skills and time-management skills instead of trying to do as much as possible with no help.

A nurse is working in a facility that has fewer directors which allows for managers and staff to make shared decisions. In which type of organizational structure is the nurse employed? a. Delegation b. Research-based c. Decentralization d. Philosophy of care

ANS: C The decentralized management structure often has fewer directors, and managers and staff are able to make shared decisions. The American Nurses Association defines delegation as transferring responsibility for the performance of an activity or task while retaining accountability for the outcome. Research-based means care is based upon evidence. A philosophy of care includes the professional nursing staff's values and concerns for the way they view and care for patients. For example, a philosophy addresses the purpose of the nursing unit, how staff works with patients and families, and the standards of care for the work unit.

An obstetric nurse comes across an automobile accident. The driver seems to have a crushed upper airway, and while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive, the nurse makes a cut in the trachea and inserts a straw from a purse to provide an airway. The patient survives and has a permanent problem with vocal cords, making it difficult to talk. Which statement is true regarding the nurse's performance? a. The nurse acted appropriately and saved the patient's life. b. The nurse stayed within the guidelines of the Good Samaritan Law. c. The nurse took actions beyond those that are standard and appropriate. d. The nurse should have just stayed with the patient and waited for help.

ANS: C An obstetric nurse would not have been trained in performing a tracheostomy (cut in the trachea) and doing so would be beyond what the nurse has been trained or educated to do. If you perform a procedure exceeding your scope of practice and for which you have no training, you are liable for injury that may result from that act. You should only provide care that is consistent with your level of expertise. The nurse did not act appropriately. The nurse is not protected by the Good Samaritan Law because the nurse acted outside the scope of practice and training. The nurse should have acted within what was trained and educated to do in this circumstance, not just stay with the patient.

A nurse attends a workshop on current nursing issues provided by the American Nurses Association. Which type of education did the nurse receive? a. Graduate education b. Inservice education c. Continuing education d. Registered nurse education

ANS: C Continuing education involves formal, organized educational programs offered by universities, hospitals, state nurses associations, professional nursing organizations, and educational and health care institutions. After obtaining a baccalaureate degree in nursing, you can pursue graduate education leading to a master's or doctoral degree in any number of graduate fields, including nursing. Inservice education programs are instruction or training provided by a health care facility or institution. Registered nurse education is the education preparation for an individual intending to be an RN.

The patient is terminally ill and is receiving hospice care. The nurse cares for the patient by bathing, shaving, and repositioning him. The patient would like a Catholic priest called to provide the Sacrament of the Sick. The nurse places a call and arranges for the priest's visit. Which theory does this nurse's care represent? a. Roy's theory b. Watson's theory c. Henderson's theory d. Orem's self-care deficit theory

ANS: C Henderson defines nursing as assisting the patient with 14 activities (hygiene, positioning) until patients can meet these needs for themselves—or assist patients to have a peaceful death. Roy's model is to help the person adapt to changes in physiological needs, self-concept, role function, and interdependence domains. Watson's theory believes that the purpose of nursing is to understand the interrelationship between health, illness, and human behavior. The goal of Orem's theory is to help the patient perform self-care.

The nurse views the patient as an open system that needs help in coping with stressors. Which theorist is the nurse using? a. King b. Levine c. Neuman d. Johnson

ANS: C Neuman views a patient as being an open system that is in constant energy exchange with the environment that the nurse must help cope with stressors. King views a patient as a unique personal system that is constantly interacting/transacting with other systems that the nurse helps with goal attainment. Levine believes nurses promote balance between nursing interventions and patient participation to assist in conserving energy needed for healing. Johnson perceives patients as a collection of subsystems that forms an overall behavioral system focusing on balance.

Which behavior demonstrated by a nurse indicates the nurse is using Nightingale's theory to plan nursing care? a. Knows all about the disease processes affecting patients. b. Focuses on medication administration and treatments. c. Thinks about the patients and patients' environments. d. Considers nursing knowledge and medicine the same.

ANS: C Nightingale's theory provides nurses with a way to think about patients and their environment. Nightingale's concept of the environment was the focus of nursing care, and her firm conviction was that nursing knowledge is distinct from medical knowledge. Nightingale did not view nursing as limited to the administration of medications and treatments.

A bill has been submitted to the State House of Representatives that is designed to reduce the cost of health care by increasing the patient-to-nurse ratio from a maximum of 2:1 in intensive care units to 3:1. What should the nurse realize? a. Legislation is politics beyond the nurse's control. b. National programs have no bearing on state politics. c. The individual nurse can influence legislative decisions. d. Focusing on nursing care provides the best patient benefit.

ANS: C Nurses can influence policy decisions at all governmental levels. One way is to get involved by participating in local and national efforts. This effort is critical in exerting nurses' influence early in the political process. Legislation is not beyond the nurse's control. National program can have bearing on state politics. The question is focusing on legislation and health care costs, not nursing care.

A nurse identifies gaps between local and best practices. Which Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competency is the nurse demonstrating? a. Safety b. Patient-centered care c. Quality improvement d. Teamwork and collaboration

ANS: C Quality improvement identifies gaps between local and best practices. Safety minimizes risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. Patient-centered care recognizes the patient or designee as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's preferences, values, and needs. Teamwork and collaboration allows effective functioning within nursing and interprofessional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making.

A confused patient with a urinary catheter, nasogastric tube, and intravenous line keeps touching these needed items for care. The nurse has tried to explain to the patient that these lines should not be touched, but the patient continues. Which is the best action by the nurse at this time? a. Apply restraints loosely on the patient's dominant wrist. b. Notify the health care provider that restraints are needed immediately. c. Try other approaches to prevent the patient from touching these care items. d. Allow the patient to pull out lines to prove that the patient needs to be restrained.

ANS: C Restraints can be used when less restrictive interventions are not successful. The nurse must try other approaches than just telling. The situation states that the patient is touching the items, not trying to pull them out. At this time, the patient's well-being is not at risk so restraints cannot be used at this time nor does the health care provider need to be notified. Allowing the patient to pull out any of these items to prove the patient needs to be restrained is not acceptable.

A novice nurse expresses frustration at not being to complete all interventions for a group of patients in a timely manner. The nurse leaves the rounds report sheets at the nurse's station when caring for patients and reports having to go back and forth between rooms for equipment and supplies. Which type of skill does the nurse need? a. Interpersonal communication b. Clinical decision making c. Organizational d. Evaluation

ANS: C The clinical care coordination skill the nurse needs to improve on is organization. This nurse needs to keep the patient report sheets in hand to anticipate what equipment and supplies a patient is going to need. Then the nurse may not have to leave the room so often; this will save time. The nurse is not having a problem communicating with others (interpersonal communication). The nurse is not having a problem using the nursing process for clinical decisions. The nurse is not having a problem comparing actual patient outcomes with expected outcomes (evaluation).

The patient's son requests to view documentation in the medical record. What is the nurse's best response to this request? a. "I'll be happy to get that for you." b. "You are not allowed to look at it." c. "You will need your mother's permission." d. "I cannot let you see the chart without a doctor's order."

ANS: C The mother's permission is needed. The nurse understands that sharing health information is governed by HIPAA legislation, which defines rights and privileges of patients for protection of privacy. Private health information cannot be shared without the patient's specific permission. The nurse cannot obtain the records without permission. The son can look at it after approval from the patient. While talking to the physician or getting an order is appropriate, the patient still has to give consent.

A nurse is discussing quality of life issues with another colleague. Which topic will the nurse acknowledge for increased attention paid to quality of life concerns? a. Health care disparities b. Aging of the population c. Abilities of disabled persons d. Health care financial reform

ANS: C The population of disabled persons in the United States and elsewhere has reshaped the discussion about quality of life (QOL). Health care disparities, an aging population, and health care reform are components impacted by personal definitions of quality but are not the underlying reason why QOL discussions have arisen.

A nurse must make an ethical decision concerning vulnerable patient populations. Which philosophy of health care ethics would be particularly useful for this nurse? a. Teleology b. Deontology c. Utilitarianism d. Feminist ethics

ANS: D Feminist ethics particularly focuses on the nature of relationships, especially those where there is a power imbalance or a point of view that is ignored or invisible. Deontology refers to making decisions or "right-making characteristics," bioethics focuses on consensus building, while utilitarianism and teleology speak to the greatest good for the greatest number

A patient is admitted with possible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and is placed in isolation until cultures can be obtained and declared noninfectious. During the isolation process, the nurse encourages family visits. Which level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is the nurse promoting when the family is encouraged to visit? a. First level b. Second level c. Third level d. Fourth level

ANS: C The third level contains love and belonging needs, including family and friends. The first level includes physiological needs. The second level includes safety and security needs. The fourth level encompasses esteem and self-esteem needs. The fifth and final level is the need for self-actualization.

The nursing instructor is teaching a class on nursing theory. One of the students asks, "Why do we need to know this stuff? It doesn't really affect patients." What is the instructor's best response? a. "You are correct, but we have to learn it anyway." b. "This keeps the focus of nursing narrow." c. "Theories help explain why nurses do what they do." d. "Exposure to theories will help you later in graduate school."

ANS: C Theories offer well-grounded rationales for how and why nurses perform specific interventions and for predicting and/or prescribing nursing care measures. Although nursing theory will help the nurse in graduate school, it is also an important basis for the nurse's approach to daily patient care, and it expands scientific knowledge of the profession

A nurse agrees with regulations for mandatory immunizations of children. The nurse believes that immunizations prevent diseases as well as prevent spread of the disease to others. Which ethical framework is the nurse using? a. Deontology b. Ethics of care c. Utilitarianism d. Feminist ethics

ANS: C Utilitarianism is a system of ethics that believes that value is determined by usefulness. This system of ethics focuses on the outcome of the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Deontology would not look to consequences of actions but on the "right-making characteristic" such as fidelity and justice. The ethics of care emphasizes the role of feelings. Relationships, which are an important component of feminist ethics, are not addressed in this case.

A nurse wants to become an advanced practice registered nurse. Which options should the nurse consider? (Select all that apply.) a. Patient advocate b. Nurse administrator c. Certified nurse-midwife d. Clinical nurse specialist e. Certified nurse practitioner

ANS: C, D, E Although all nurses should function as patient advocates, "advanced practice nurse" is an umbrella term for an advanced clinical nurse such as a certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse-midwife. A nurse administrator is not an example of advanced practice

A staff nurse delegates a task to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP), knowing that the NAP has never performed the task before. As a result, the patient is injured, and the nurse defensively states that the NAP should have known how to perform such a simple task. Which element of the decision-making process is the nurse lacking? a. Authority b. Autonomy c. Responsibility d. Accountability

ANS: D Accountability refers to individuals being answerable for their actions. The nurse in this situation is not taking ownership of the inappropriate delegation of a task. Autonomy is freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. Responsibility refers to the duties and activities that an individual is employed to perform. Authority refers to legitimate power to give commands and make final decisions specific to a given position.

A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse see first? a. A patient needing teaching about medications b. A patient with a healed abdominal incision c. A patient with a slight temperature d. A patient with difficulty breathing

ANS: D An immediate threat to a patient's survival or safety must be addressed first, like difficulty breathing. Teaching, healed incision, and slight temperature are not immediate needs.

The nurse values autonomy above all other principles. Which patient assignment will the nurse find most difficult to accept? a. Older-adult patient who requires dialysis. b. Teenager in labor who requests epidural anesthesia. c. Middle-aged father of three with an advance directive declining life support. d. Family elder who is making the decisions for a young-adult female member.

ANS: D Autonomy refers to freedom from external control. A person who values autonomy highly may find it difficult to accept situations where the patient is not the primary decision maker regarding his or her care. A teenager requesting an epidural, a father with an advance directive, and an elderly patient requiring dialysis all describe a patient or family who can make their own decisions and choices regarding care.

A nurse manager discovers that the readmission rate of hospitalized patients is very high on the hospital unit. The nurse manager desires improved coordination of care and accountability for cost-effective quality care. Which nursing care delivery model is best suited for these needs? a. Team nursing b. Total patient care c. Primary nursing d. Case-management

ANS: D Case-management is a care approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs. In team nursing, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff members.

A nurse is overseeing the care of patients diagnosed with either severe diabetes or with heart failure. The purpose of this nursing model is to improve cost-effectiveness and quality of care. Which nursing care delivery model is the nurse using? a. Team nursing b. Total patient care c. Primary nursing d. Case-management

ANS: D Case-management is unique because clinicians, either as individuals or as part of a collaborative group, oversee the management of patients with specific, complex health problems or are held accountable for some standard of cost management and quality. Case-management is a care approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs. In the team nursing care model, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff members.

A registered nurse (RN) is the group leader of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistive personnel (NAP). Which nursing care model is being implemented? a. Case-management b. Total patient care c. Primary nursing d. Team nursing

ANS: D In team nursing, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. Case-management is a care approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs. Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff members

Which assessment of a patient who is 1 day post-surgical repair a hip fracture requires immediate nursing intervention? a. Patient ate 40% of clear liquid breakfast. b. Patient's oral temperature is 98.9° F. c. Patient states, "I did not realize I would be so tired after this surgery." d. Patient reports severe pain 30 minutes after receiving pain medication.

ANS: D It is important to prioritize in all caregiving situations because it allows you to see relationships among patient problems and avoid delays in taking action that possibly leads to serious complications for a patient. The nurse needs to report severe pain that is unrelieved by pain medication to the health care provider. The nurse needs to recognize and differentiate normal from abnormal findings and set priorities. Eating 40% of breakfast, having a slightly elevated temperature, and being tired the day after surgery are expected findings following surgery and do not require immediate intervention.

A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize care. Place the levels in order of basic priority to highest priority that the nurse will follow. 1. Physiological 2. Self-esteem 3. Self-actualization 4. Safety and security 5. Love and belonging a. 4, 1, 2, 3, 5 b. 1, 4, 5, 3, 2 c. 4, 5, 3, 2, 1 d. 1, 4, 5, 2, 3

ANS: D Maslow's hierarchy is as follows: physiological, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization

A young woman who is pregnant with a fetus exposed to multiple teratogens consents to have her fetus undergo serial PUBS (percutaneous umbilical blood sampling) to examine how exposure affects the fetus over time. Although these tests will not improve the fetus's outcomes and will expose it to some risks, the information gathered may help infants in the future. Which ethical principle is at greatest risk? a. Fidelity b. Autonomy c. Beneficence d. Nonmaleficence

ANS: D Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that focuses on avoidance of harm or hurt. Repeated PUBS may expose the mother and fetus to some risks. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises (obtain serial PUBS). Autonomy refers to freedom from external control (mother consented), and beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others (may help infants in the future).

A nurse has a transformational leader as a manager. Which finding will the nurse anticipate from working with this leader? a. Increased turnover rate b. Increased patient mortality rate c. Increased rate of medication errors d. Increased level of patient satisfaction

ANS: D Research has found that on nursing units where the nurse manager uses transformational leadership there is an increased level of patient satisfaction, a lower patient mortality rate, and a lower rate of medication errors. Turnover rate is decreased since staff retention is increased with transformational leadership.

The nurse is caring for a patient supported with a ventilator who has been unresponsive since arrival via ambulance 8 days ago. The patient has not been identified, and no family members have been found. The nurse is concerned about the plan of care regarding maintenance or withdrawal of life support measures. Place the steps the nurse will use to resolve this ethical dilemma in the correct order. 1. The nurse identifies possible solutions or actions to resolve the dilemma. 2. The nurse reviews the medical record, including entries by all health care disciplines, to gather information relevant to this patient's situation. 3. Health care providers use negotiation to redefine the patient's plan of care. 4. The nurse evaluates the plan and revises it with input from other health care providers as necessary. 5. The nurse examines the issue to clarify opinions, values, and facts. 6. The nurse states the problem. 7. Nurse confirms that the problem is ethical in nature a. 6, 7, 1, 2, 5, 4, 3 b. 5, 6, 7, 2, 3, 4, 1 c. 1, 2, 5, 4, 7, 3, 6 d. 7, 2, 5, 6, 1, 3, 4

ANS: D Step 1. Ask the question: is this an ethical problem? Step 2. Gather as much information as possible that is relevant to the case. Step 3. Examine and determine your values about the issues. Step 4. Verbalize and name the problem. Step 5. Consider possible courses of action. Step 6. Negotiate the outcome by creating and implementing a plan of action. Step 7. Evaluate the action.

A newly hired experienced nurse is preparing to change a patient's abdominal dressing and hasn't done it before at this hospital. Which action by the nurse is best? a. Have another nurse do it so the correct method can be viewed. b. Change the dressing using the method taught in nursing school. c. Ask the patient how the dressing change has been recently done. d. Check the policy and procedure manual for the facility's method

ANS: D The Joint Commission requires accredited hospitals to have written nursing policies and procedures. These internal standards of care are specific and need to be accessible on all nursing units. For example, a policy/procedure outlining the steps to follow when changing a dressing or administering medication provides specific information about how nurses are to perform. The nurse being observed may not be doing the procedure according to the facility's policy or procedure. The procedure taught in nursing school may not be consistent with the policy or procedure for this facility. The patient is not responsible for maintaining the standards of practice. Patient input is important, but it's not what directs nursing practice

A nurse manager conducts rounds on the unit and discovers that expired stock medicine is still in the cabinet despite the e-mail that was sent stating that it had to be discarded. The staff nurse dress code is not being adhered to as requested in the same e-mail. Several staff nurses deny having received the e-mail. Which action should the nurse manager take? a. Close the staff lounge. b. Enforce a stricter dress code. c. Include the findings on each staff member's annual evaluation d. Place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member's mailbox.

ANS: D The identified problem is lack of staff communication. Sending an e-mail was not effective; therefore, giving each staff member a hard copy along with e-mailing is another approach the manager can take. An effective manager uses a variety of approaches to communicate quickly and accurately to all staff. For example, many managers distribute biweekly or monthly newsletters of ongoing unit or facility activities. Including the findings on evaluations, closing the lounge, and enforcing stricter dress codes do not address the problem.

Which action indicates the nurse is using the nursing process in patient care? a. Generates nursing knowledge for use in nursing practice. b. Conceptualizes an aspect of nursing to predict nursing care. c. Develops nursing care as a specific, distinct phenomenon. d. Delivers nursing care using a systematic approach.

ANS: D The nursing process provides a systematic approach for the delivery of nursing care. Theory generates nursing knowledge for use in practice; the nursing process is not a theory. A nursing theory conceptualizes an aspect of nursing to describe, explain, predict, or prescribe nursing care. An interdisciplinary theory explains a phenomenon specific to the discipline that developed the theory.

A female nursing student in the final term of nursing school is overheard by a nursing faculty member telling another student that she got to insert a nasogastric tube in the emergency department while working as a nursing assistant. Which advice is best for the nursing faculty member to give to the nursing student? a. "Just be careful when you are doing new procedures and make sure you are following directions by the nurse." b. "Review your procedures before you go to work, so you will be prepared to do them if you have a chance." c. "The nurse should not have allowed you to insert the nasogastric tube because something bad could have happened." d. "You are not allowed to perform any procedures other than those in your job description even with the nurse's permission."

ANS: D When nursing students work as nursing assistants or nurse's aides when not attending classes, they should not perform tasks that do not appear in a job description for a nurse's aide or assistant. The nursing student should always follow the directions of the nurse, unless doing so violates the institution's guidelines or job description under which the nursing student was hired, such as inserting a nasogastric tube or giving an intramuscular medication. The nursing student should be able to safely complete the procedures delegated as a nursing assistant, and reviewing those not done recently is a good idea, but it has nothing to do with the situation. The focus of the discussion between the nursing faculty member and the nursing student should be on following the job description under which the nursing student is working.