what is the primary role of a nurse mentor

ATI RN

ATI Leadership

1. What is the primary role of a nurse mentor?

A. To supervise nursing staff
B. To provide emotional support
C. To guide new nurses in their roles
D. To enforce policy compliance

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary role of a nurse mentor is to guide new nurses in their roles. This involves providing support, sharing knowledge and expertise, offering guidance for professional development, and assisting new nurses in adjusting to their roles and responsibilities. Option A, supervising nursing staff, is more aligned with a nurse manager's responsibilities rather than a mentor's. Option B, providing emotional support, is a part of the mentorship role but not the primary focus. Option D, enforcing policy compliance, is essential but not the primary role of a mentor, as mentoring focuses more on nurturing and developing new nurses.

2. Which of the following may be considered an absenteeism management strategy?

A. Holding regular meetings to address absenteeism
B. Limiting career growth opportunities
C. Reducing job stress
D. Neglecting the issue

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Reducing job stress is an effective absenteeism management strategy because it creates a positive work environment, potentially decreasing the number of sick days taken by employees. Holding regular meetings to address absenteeism is not a strategy to reduce absenteeism but may add to the stress levels of employees. Limiting career growth opportunities is not a recommended strategy and can lead to employee dissatisfaction and higher absenteeism rates. Neglecting the issue of absenteeism by ignoring it can exacerbate the problem and create a negative work culture.

3. Which of the following strategies is most effective for reducing medication errors on a nursing unit?

A. Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio
B. Providing ongoing education on safe medication practices
C. Using barcoding technology for medication administration
D. Increasing the use of PRN medications

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most effective strategy for reducing medication errors on a nursing unit is using barcoding technology for medication administration. Barcoding technology helps to ensure the right medication is given to the right patient in the right dose at the right time. Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio (choice A) may help in preventing errors due to workload, but it may not address the root cause of medication errors. Providing ongoing education (choice B) is important but may not be as effective as implementing technology to directly prevent errors during administration. Increasing the use of PRN medications (choice D) can actually increase the risk of errors if not carefully monitored and controlled.

4. Staff refuse to report unsafe conditions, with unattended entrances throughout the health care facility noted. Unidentified individuals are wandering the unit at night, and you:

A. Establish expectations.
B. Demand that they leave immediately.
C. Ask them to leave.
D. Observe their behaviors.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct course of action is to establish expectations. By setting clear guidelines and expectations, you can address the issue of unidentified individuals wandering the unit at night in a proactive manner. This approach helps communicate what behaviors are acceptable, ensuring the safety of both staff and patients. Demanding that they leave immediately may not address the root cause of the problem and could escalate the situation. Simply observing their behaviors may not effectively resolve the issue or prevent future incidents. Asking them to leave without first establishing expectations may not prevent similar occurrences in the future.

5. There are several pitfalls that should be avoided when using social media of any type. For example, a nurse or student could be found guilty of libel in which of the following scenarios?

A. Snapping a selfie with a patient
B. Posting a positive review of the hospital where the student completed clinicals
C. Creating a closed online forum where students can discuss clinical experiences without providing client information
D. Complaining about her nurse preceptor on social media, discussing the preceptor�s unprofessional characteristics.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Statements about individuals encountered in one�s professional or educational life that could damage that person�s reputation may be slander or libel and can be prosecuted as quasi-intentional torts.