Nursing Elites

1. When should the nurse initiate discharge planning for a client experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure?

• A. During the admission process
• B. As soon as the client's condition is stable
• C. After consulting with the client's family
• D. During the initial team conference

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct time for the nurse to initiate discharge planning for a client experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure is as soon as the client's condition is stable. Discharge planning should begin early to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care. While involving the client's family in the planning process is crucial, the primary focus should be on starting the preparations for discharge once the client's immediate health concerns are addressed and their condition is stable. Waiting for a team conference or after consulting with the family may delay the planning process, which is not ideal in ensuring a timely and effective discharge plan.

2. After her evaluation, a staff nurse exclaims: 'I'm not sure if my manager knows much about my performance, really. He only had three specific examples to give me, two good performance examples and one to work on, and they all happened in the last month. I don't feel like he can see the whole picture.' What kind of performance appraisal rating does this statement exemplify?

• A. Recency error
• B. Leniency error
• C. Halo error
• D. Absolute judgment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The statement exemplifies a recency error. Recency error occurs when a manager assesses an employee's performance primarily based on recent events, rather than considering the entire evaluation period. In this case, the staff nurse feels that her manager focused only on recent examples, leading to an incomplete assessment of her overall performance. Choice B, Leniency error, refers to a rater consistently giving high ratings to all employees regardless of performance, which is not evident in this scenario. Choice C, Halo error, involves allowing one positive attribute of an individual to overshadow other characteristics during appraisal, which is not the case here. Absolute judgment, Choice D, is when a rater evaluates an employee without reference to any specific criteria, which is not reflected in the staff nurse's feedback.

3. Which of the following laws govern nursing practice?

• A. Statutory laws
• B. Common law
• C. Administrative laws
• D. Constitutional laws

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Statutory laws are laws created by legislative bodies, such as state legislatures. In the context of nursing practice, statutory laws govern areas like licensure requirements, scope of practice, and professional standards. Common law, choice B, is based on court decisions and precedents, not specifically related to nursing practice. Administrative laws, choice C, deal with regulations set by administrative agencies rather than governing nursing practice directly. Constitutional laws, choice D, pertain to the fundamental principles outlined in a country's constitution and are not specific to regulating nursing practice.

4. Which of the following would a nurse suggest are significant benefits to an organization that is considering adoption of a practice partnership model? (Select one that does not apply.)

• A. Clients express greater satisfaction.
• B. It is more expensive to implement than other models.
• C. Continuity of care is facilitated.
• D. Leadership is well accepted.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Practice partnership models are shown to be the most cost-effective of the nursing care delivery systems, contrary to being more expensive. Clients express greater satisfaction due to the collaborative and holistic approach of this model. Continuity of care is improved when the healthcare team works together cohesively. While leadership acceptance is beneficial, it is not the most significant benefit highlighted in the context of practice partnership models.

5. A nurse is admitting a new client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while performing medication reconciliation?

• A. Compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions
• B. Place the client's home medication bottles in a secure location
• C. Call the pharmacy to determine whether the client's medications are available
• D. Verify the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. During medication reconciliation, the nurse should compare the client's home medications with the provider's prescriptions to ensure accurate and safe administration. This process helps identify any discrepancies or potential interactions. Choice B is incorrect because placing the client's home medication bottles in a secure location is not part of medication reconciliation. Choice C is incorrect as calling the pharmacy to determine medication availability is not related to reconciling medications. Choice D is incorrect as verifying the client's name on their identification bracelet with the medication administration record is part of the identification process, not medication reconciliation.

Similar Questions