When an RN is asked to accept an assignment that he or she may not be qualified to perform, the nurse should:
- A. accept the assignment as appropriate if assigned by a legitimate power.
- B. be primarily concerned with the number of patients being assigned.
- C. ask how other nurses have handled the assignment in the past.
- D. determine whether he or she is familiar with the types of patients being assigned.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why Answer D is correct:
1. Ensures patient safety: RN should only accept assignments they are qualified for to provide safe care.
2. Upholds professional standards: Accepting only familiar assignments aligns with nursing scope of practice.
3. Legal and ethical responsibility: RN must prioritize patient well-being over external pressures.
4. Promotes personal growth: RN can seek additional training for unfamiliar assignments.
Summary:
- A: Incorrect. Accepting based on power dynamics disregards patient safety and professional ethics.
- B: Incorrect. Patient safety should be the primary concern over workload.
- C: Incorrect. Past handling may not guarantee appropriateness. Focus should be on personal qualification.
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A student nurse wants to meet other nursing students from different countries and to learn of employment possibilities. The student nurse should:
- A. participate in the clinical facility's employee satisfaction task force.
- B. join the Student Nurses Association.
- C. take part in self-mentoring.
- D. postpone taking the licensure examination so he or she can take a tour of foreign countries.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: join the Student Nurses Association. This option allows the student nurse to meet other nursing students from different countries and learn about employment possibilities. By joining the association, the student can network with peers, attend conferences, and engage in international exchange programs. Option A is incorrect because the employee satisfaction task force is focused on internal staff issues, not networking with other nursing students. Option C is irrelevant to the student nurse's goal of meeting peers from different countries. Option D is impractical and unnecessary as it suggests delaying the licensure examination for travel, which is not a direct way to achieve the student's objectives.
A registered nurse is on break and checking e-mails. One e-mail contains a picture of a celebrity who is a patient in the hospital, and on the same floor, where the nurse works. Included with the photo is a message, "check out my Facebook," which contains additional photographs of the patient. The nurse immediately deletes the picture to prevent having to report the "friend" to supervisors. Based on the action of the nurse who received the message, which statement is correct?
- A. The nurse is not at risk for having his or her license suspended since removing the photos made them temporary and invisible to all others.
- B. Because the nurse did not send the message and immediately deleted the photo, there is no risk for discipline.
- C. Failing to report receiving the message demonstrates poor ethical and legal role-modeling as well as placing the nurse at risk for discipline.
- D. Because the patient is on the same floor as the one on which the nurse works, the information can be ethically and legally shared.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nurse is at risk for discipline because failing to report the receipt of the message demonstrates poor ethical and legal role-modeling. By deleting the photo and not reporting the incident, the nurse is not upholding patient confidentiality and is potentially violating privacy laws. Sharing patient information, even if the patient is on the same floor, is unethical and illegal. Choices A and B are incorrect because simply deleting the photos does not absolve the nurse from potential consequences, and not being the sender does not excuse the nurse from being responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality. Choice D is incorrect because sharing patient information without authorization is a violation of ethical and legal standards.
A patient is placed on reserpine (Serpalan) to decrease mild anxiety and treat hypertension. The patient researches the medication on the Internet and finds that this medication comes from which plant?
- A. Atropa belladonna
- B. Digitalis purpurea
- C. Rauwolfia serpentina
- D. Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rauwolfia serpentina. Reserpine is derived from the Rauwolfia serpentina plant. This plant contains alkaloids that act as a central nervous system depressant, reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure. Atropa belladonna (A) contains toxic alkaloids, Digitalis purpurea (B) contains cardiac glycosides used for heart conditions, and Cephaelis ipecacuanha (D) contains emetine used for inducing vomiting, none of which are related to reserpine's effects.
The novice nurse arrives on the nursing unit, is introduced to the staff, is assigned a preceptor, and is asked to participate in the next staff meeting. This introduction into nursing is appropriately termed:
- A. biculturalism.
- B. socialization.
- C. transition.
- D. "going native."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: socialization. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and adapt to the values, norms, and behaviors of a particular group, in this case, the nursing profession. In this scenario, the novice nurse is being introduced to the staff, assigned a preceptor, and asked to participate in a staff meeting, all of which are key components of the socialization process in nursing.
A: Biculturalism refers to the coexistence of two distinct cultures within one society, which is not applicable in this context.
C: Transition is the process of changing from one state to another, which is a broader concept than just the introduction to a new profession.
D: "Going native" is a colloquial term that refers to adopting the lifestyle or customs of a foreign culture, which is not relevant to the scenario of a novice nurse being introduced to the nursing profession.
Although a hospital reversed all charges when a client was the victim of wrong site surgery, the court awarded the client $5 million. The client was able to return to work in 6 weeks and had no permanent damages. This monetary compensation is termed:
- A. res ipsa loquitur.
- B. punitive damages.
- C. vicarious liability.
- D. immunity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. In this case, the hospital's negligence in performing wrong site surgery resulted in harm to the client, even though the hospital reversed the charges. The court awarded $5 million to punish the hospital for their negligence, as the client suffered emotional distress and the potential risk of harm. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine used to shift the burden of proof from the plaintiff to the defendant in cases where the negligence is obvious.
C: vicarious liability holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees, which is not directly applicable in this scenario.
D: immunity refers to protection from legal liability, which is not relevant in a case where the court awarded monetary compensation.
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