Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary goal of discharge planning?

• A. Reducing readmission rates
• B. Improving patient outcomes
• C. Ensuring continuity of care
• D. Ensuring medication adherence

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of discharge planning is to ensure continuity of care for patients transitioning from one level of care to another. While reducing readmission rates and improving patient outcomes are important aspects of discharge planning, the main focus is on coordinating care to prevent gaps and ensure a seamless transition for the patient. Ensuring medication adherence is also crucial but falls under the broader goal of continuity of care.

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 regulatory body mandates the provision of immunizations, especially for hepatitis B?

• A. American Nurses Association (ANA)
• B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• C. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
• D. State board of nursing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA mandates that the hepatitis B vaccine series must be offered to healthcare workers who are not immune to hepatitis. This requirement aims to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including the hepatitis B virus. The American Nurses Association (ANA) (Choice A) is a professional organization for nurses, not a regulatory body. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (Choice C) focuses on accrediting healthcare organizations for quality and safety, not mandating immunizations. The State board of nursing (Choice D) is responsible for regulating nursing practice within a specific state, not mandating immunizations.

4. The healthcare provider is developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure (CHF). Which components are essential to include? (Select ONE that does not apply.)

• A. Expected length of stay
• B. Assigned staff healthcare provider
• C. Patient outcomes
• D. Medical diagnosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Critical pathways are designed to outline the expected sequence and timing of interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes for a specific medical condition. Components such as the expected length of stay, patient outcomes, and medical diagnosis are crucial in developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure. However, the assigned staff healthcare provider is not typically a fixed component of a critical pathway as it may vary based on staffing schedules and rotations. Therefore, the assigned staff healthcare provider is the component that does not apply.

5. What quality is observed among individuals who strive to find the best way to do their job?

• A. Punctuality
• B. Strictness
• C. Honesty
• D. Motivation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Motivation is the driving force that compels individuals to strive to find the best way to do their job. It encompasses determination, enthusiasm, and a proactive approach to continuously improve and excel in their work. Being motivated is essential for individuals in any profession to seek innovative solutions, achieve excellence, and make a meaningful impact. Punctuality, while important, refers to being on time rather than the drive to find the best way to do a job. Strictness relates to enforcing rules or discipline, not necessarily to seeking the best way. Honesty is about truthfulness and integrity, which are crucial but not directly related to the pursuit of excellence in job performance.

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