Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

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A nurse is concerned about safe staffing levels at a facility and observes that several units have no RN coverage but instead have RNs who float among several units. In determining whether this staffing concern should be reported to an outside agency, the nurse understands that, with whistle-blowing:

  • A. reporting unsafe staffing levels to The Joint Commission provides protection from the employer.
  • B. keeping copies of documented inappropriate staffing patterns in the nurse's personal file is illegal.
  • C. when observing inappropriate staffing, the nurse should record her personal thoughts concerning the outcomes.
  • D. one should seek guidance from a trusted individual who can provide an objective point of view.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because reporting unsafe staffing levels to The Joint Commission is an appropriate course of action for addressing concerns about patient safety. The Joint Commission is an independent organization that accredits healthcare facilities and promotes high-quality care standards. Whistleblower protection laws safeguard employees who report violations of laws, regulations, or standards that threaten public health or safety. Reporting to The Joint Commission can lead to an investigation and potential improvement in staffing levels to ensure patient safety.

Incorrect answers:
B: Keeping copies of documented inappropriate staffing patterns in the nurse's personal file is not illegal, but it may not be the most effective way to address the issue.
C: Recording personal thoughts on outcomes is not as effective as taking action to report concerns to the appropriate regulatory body.
D: Seeking guidance is important, but in cases of unsafe staffing levels, it is crucial to report the issue to the appropriate regulatory agency for resolution.

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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."
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because quantifying the amount and intensity of care required is essential to determine staffing needs based on patient acuity. This involves assessing the complexity and severity of patients' conditions, which directly impacts the level of care needed. Patient satisfaction (A) does not provide objective data on acuity. Examining skill mix (C) is important but not the primary factor in determining acuity. Hospital days (D) reflect length of stay, not acuity level.

The primary focus of the care provider role for the nurse involves:

  • A. using the nursing process to provide guidance to the patient in recovery.
  • B. encouraging consumer self-responsibility and emphasizing health promotion/maintenance.
  • C. focusing on increasing satisfaction among professional nurses.
  • D. advancing nursing practice through research.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the primary focus of the care provider role for a nurse is to encourage consumer self-responsibility and emphasize health promotion/maintenance. This involves empowering patients to take control of their own health, promoting wellness, and preventing illness. The other choices are incorrect because: A) using the nursing process is essential but not the primary focus, C) increasing satisfaction among professional nurses is important but not the primary role of a care provider, and D) advancing nursing practice through research is valuable but not the primary responsibility of a care provider.

Current trends in telecommunications and increased mobility of nurses have led to the approval of a mutual recognition model of nursing regulation, in which nurses are allowed to practice in states that are compact states without obtaining a license in each state. On which website would a nurse find a list of current compact states?

  • A. National League for Nursing (NLN)
  • B. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
  • C. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • D. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). NCSBN manages the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in compact states without obtaining additional licenses. Nurses can find a list of current compact states on the NCSBN website. NLN (A) focuses on nursing education, not regulation. AACN (C) is an organization for academic nursing programs. CCNE (D) accredits nursing education programs, not regulatory information.

When using the ABC system of managing time, those items coded A include:

  • A. calling the pharmacy to see whether a drug insert is available for a patient.
  • B. checking to see why a ventilator is alarming.
  • C. organizing the medication cart.
  • D. writing memos to remind everyone to contribute to the boss's birthday gift.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in the ABC system, tasks coded as A are considered the most important and urgent. Calling the pharmacy to check drug availability for a patient directly impacts patient care and safety, making it a priority. B, checking a ventilator alarm, is important but not as urgent as ensuring medication availability. C, organizing the medication cart, is important but not necessarily urgent like patient-related tasks. D, writing memos for a birthday gift, is neither urgent nor directly related to patient care. Therefore, A is the correct choice for being the most critical task in the ABC system.

An older adult has atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to have an irregular rhythm. The client uses imagery to alter the dysrhythmiThe client is using which type of complementary alternative medicine (CAM)?

  • A. Ayurveda
  • B. Dosha
  • C. Homeopathy
  • D. Biofeedback
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Biofeedback. Biofeedback is a type of CAM that involves using electronic devices to help individuals gain awareness and control over physiological processes, such as heart rate and muscle tension. In this case, the older adult is using imagery as a form of biofeedback to alter the dysrhythmia. Ayurveda (A) and Dosha (B) are traditional Indian systems of medicine based on balancing bodily energies, not directly related to using imagery for heart rhythm control. Homeopathy (C) is a system of alternative medicine based on the concept that "like cures like" and uses highly diluted substances, not imagery or biofeedback techniques.

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