Nursing Elites

1. A gerontological nurse is providing care at a local community health center that serves large black American and white American older adult populations. The nurse is working to develop culturally appropriate programs to meet each group's health needs and notes differences in health status between the groups. Which reason would the nurse most likely identify as accounting for the differences between the populations?

• A. High incidence of violent crime and sexually transmitted diseases in the black population
• B. Reliance on family for health care advice and rejection of formal service agencies in the white population
• C. Cultural preference for unconventional medical treatments like herbal remedies in the white population
• D. Lower standard of living and less access to health care services in the black population

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Black older adults historically possess many health problems that have accumulated over a lifetime due to a poor standard of living and limited access to health care services. Option A is incorrect because it presents stereotypes about the black population that are not supported by evidence. Option B is incorrect because it generalizes the behavior of the white population without a strong basis. Option C is incorrect as it also generalizes the white population and does not address the disparities in health status between the two groups.

2. Which of the following is a matter of public, not private, law?

• A. Wrongful acts against another party
• B. Invasion of a patient's privacy
• C. Assault and battery on a patient
• D. Licensing of a home health agency

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Licensing of a home health agency.' Public law governs relationships between private parties and the government, such as licensing requirements for entities like home health agencies. Choices A, B, and C involve private law, which governs relationships between individuals and organizations. These choices pertain to wrongful acts against another party, invasion of privacy, and assault and battery, respectively.

3. A nurse manager works in a setting where projections for the future include a more diverse ethnic mix of older adults. Which action will the nurse manager take?

• A. Recruit multilingual nurses.
• B. Request volunteers for the ethics committee.
• C. Develop nurses' cultural competence.
• D. Teach nurses about a variety of religious practices.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Nurses working in a setting with a diverse ethnic mix will need to exhibit cultural competence. Thus, the nurse manager should work to develop cultural competence in nursing staff. Developing nurses' cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the beliefs, values, and practices of different cultural groups, which is essential for providing effective care. Recruiting multilingual nurses could be beneficial, but cultural competence goes beyond language skills to encompass a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Teaching nurses about a variety of religious practices is important for a holistic approach to care, but focusing solely on religious practices may not fully address the diverse cultural needs of older adults. Ethical dilemmas may not be directly related to the projected increase in diversity, so requesting volunteers for the ethics committee does not directly address the need for cultural competence in caring for a more diverse ethnic mix of older adults.

4. A nurse is providing care for an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with liver cirrhosis. The client has expressed to the nurse his concerns that the details of his condition and treatment remain confidential, and that written documentation not 'get out there.' How can the nurse best respond to the client's concerns?

• A. Anything that is discussed between us is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.
• B. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ensures that your medical records will not leave this hospital.
• C. Provided you signed a directive on admission, your records will not be made public.
• D. The law protects your right to confidentiality and protects your health information from being released into unintended hands.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects individuals' right to confidentiality and safeguards health information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Assuring the client that the law protects their right to confidentiality and prevents their health information from being released into unintended hands is the best response. Choice A is too broad and may not cover all aspects of confidentiality. Choice B only mentions medical records staying within the hospital, which does not address the client's concern about written documentation. Choice C incorrectly implies that a signed directive is needed for confidentiality, which is not true under HIPAA regulations.

5. A nurse has been providing care for a 69-year-old female client who has recently had her right foot amputated as a result of a chronic diabetic foot ulcer. The nurse undertook to perform debridement of the wound despite her lack of relevant education and experience. The client experienced permanent nerve damage as a result of the nurse's misguided efforts. Which category of legal liability is most likely relevant in this case?

• A. Larceny
• B. Assault
• C. Invasion of privacy
• D. Negligence

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this case, the most likely relevant category of legal liability is negligence. Negligence involves the commission of an improper act, as exemplified by the nurse's actions of performing a procedure without the necessary education and experience, leading to permanent nerve damage for the client. Larceny refers to theft, assault involves a deliberate threat to harm, and invasion of privacy pertains to the violation of a person's right to privacy. Therefore, in this scenario, the nurse's actions align more closely with negligence.

Similar Questions