Nursing Elites

1. The staff nurse is caring for the client with total accountability and is in continual communication with the client, the family, the physicians, and other members of the health care team. This type of nursing delivery system is known as:

• A. Total patient care
• B. Qualified nurse case managers
• C. Established critical pathways
• D. Quality management system

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Total patient care. Total patient care is the original model of nursing care delivery, in which one RN has complete responsibility for all aspects of care for one or more patients. In this system, the nurse is accountable for the client's care and maintains continuous communication with the client, their family, physicians, and other healthcare team members. Choice B, Qualified nurse case managers, refers to nurses who coordinate care but do not provide direct hands-on patient care. Choice C, Established critical pathways, involves predefined care plans for specific conditions but does not imply direct accountability as in total patient care. Choice D, Quality management system, relates to processes to ensure and enhance the quality of care but is not specifically about the direct provision of patient care.

2. Which nursing action can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working in the diabetic clinic?

• A. Measure the ankle-brachial index.
• B. Check for changes in skin pigmentation.
• C. Assess for unilateral or bilateral foot drop.
• D. Ask the patient about symptoms of depression.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Measure the ankle-brachial index. This task involves using a Doppler ultrasound device to assess blood flow, which can be safely delegated to UAP. Choices B, C, and D require a higher level of assessment and interpretation that should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Checking for changes in skin pigmentation (B) and assessing for foot drop (C) involve more complex assessments that require nursing judgment. Asking about symptoms of depression (D) involves a psychosocial assessment, which should be performed by licensed personnel qualified to address mental health concerns.

3. Which of the following is an example of a sentinel event in healthcare?

• A. A patient falling in the hospital without injury
• B. A near-miss medication error
• C. An unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness
• D. A patient developing an infection during a hospital stay

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A sentinel event in healthcare is an unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness. These events are serious occurrences that warrant immediate investigation and response to prevent their recurrence and ensure patient safety. Choices A, B, and D do not fit the definition of a sentinel event. While choices A, B, and D are serious incidents, they do not involve an unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness, which is the defining characteristic of a sentinel event.

4. The ANA recommends that nursing in the health care organization change its focus. This requires a shift from a technical model to which of the following?

• A. Professional
• B. Industrial
• C. Random
• D. Organized

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Professional. The American Nurses Association (ANA) recommends shifting the focus in healthcare organizations from a technical model to a professional model. This change emphasizes the level of nurse competence required to provide quality care. Choice B, Industrial, is incorrect as it does not align with the focus on professionalism in nursing. Choice C, Random, is unrelated to the context of the question. Choice D, Organized, while a positive attribute, is not the specific focus recommended by the ANA for nursing in healthcare organizations.

5. In a multiple-car accident with multiple trauma clients being sent to an Emergency Department, which type of leadership would be most effective in this situation?

• A. Democratic
• B. Bureaucratic
• C. Laissez-faire
• D. Autocratic

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a high-stress situation like a multiple-car accident with multiple trauma clients arriving at the Emergency Department, autocratic leadership is most effective. This type of leadership allows for clear direction and quick decision-making, crucial in managing emergencies. Democratic leadership may slow down the decision-making process due to the need for consensus. Bureaucratic leadership focuses on following established rules and procedures, which may not be flexible enough in an emergency. Laissez-faire leadership, characterized by a hands-off approach, is not suitable in urgent situations where immediate action is required.

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