Nursing Elites

1. What is the role of the Joint Commission in healthcare?

• A. Advocacy for patients
• B. Setting standards for patient care
• C. Providing direct patient care
• D. Approving healthcare facilities

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Approving healthcare facilities.' The Joint Commission's primary role is to accredit and certify healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. This accreditation ensures that healthcare facilities meet specific quality and safety standards. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the Joint Commission focuses on evaluating and accrediting healthcare facilities rather than advocating for patients, providing direct care, or setting standards for patient care.

2. Which agency reviews whether an organization meets its own criteria for staffing?

• A. American Nurses Association (ANA)
• B. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
• C. Patient Classification Systems (PCSs)
• D. Nursing Care Hours (NCHs)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This agency specifies that the right number of competent staff should be provided to meet client's needs. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not focus on the review of staffing criteria within an organization. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is an organization that supports nurses, Patient Classification Systems (PCSs) are tools used for patient classification, and Nursing Care Hours (NCHs) are related to the number of care hours provided.

3. An RN is explaining to a student nurse what professionalism in nursing means. Which of the following statements, if made by the student nurse, demonstrates teaching has been successful?

• A. Commitment to others means I should be honest and accountable for my actions.
• B. I should encourage my fellow nurses to talk when they are having a bad day.
• C. I should be flexible with myself and my fellow nurses when it comes to the dress code.
• D. If I need a day off, I should promptly call in sick to give my manager plenty of time to find a replacement.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Commitment to others involves accountability for one�s actions, lifelong learning, and commitment to colleagues.

4. How can a staff nurse recognize they are experiencing burnout? (EXCEPT)

• A. They are spending more time talking to staff on other units.
• B. Staff is questioning their clinical judgment.
• C. They sleep longer hours, sometimes coming in late to work.
• D. They are drinking alcohol more frequently to relax.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Recognizing burnout is essential to maintaining quality patient care. Spending more time talking to staff on other units is a common practice and does not necessarily indicate burnout. On the other hand, staff questioning their clinical judgment, sleeping longer hours or coming in late to work, and resorting to alcohol to relax are signs of burnout. These behaviors can impact patient care and indicate the professional is struggling to cope with stressors.

5. The staff on a medical-surgical unit is in conflict with the occupational therapy department. What type of communication will be used to discuss the problems?

• A. Downward communication
• B. Lateral communication
• C. Distorted communication
• D. Upward communication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lateral communication. Lateral communication occurs between individuals or departments of the same hierarchical level, making it suitable for addressing conflicts between the staff on a medical-surgical unit and the occupational therapy department. Upward communication involves communication from staff to management or from lower management to middle or upper management. Downward communication is typically directive communication from an authority figure or manager to staff. Distorted communication is not a recognized type of communication and does not apply to this scenario.

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