Nursing Elites

1. When planning a budget, the nurse manager knows that costs depend on and change in direct proportion to patient volume and activity. What type of costs are these?

• A. Variable costs
• B. Indirect costs
• C. Fixed costs
• D. Direct costs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Variable costs vary in direct proportion to patient volume and activity. These costs increase or decrease based on the level of patient care provided. Indirect costs are not directly tied to patient volume, fixed costs remain constant regardless of patient volume, and direct costs are directly attributable to patient care but may not vary with patient volume and activity. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Variable costs.'

2. Nurse Managers work with staff to educate them about ways to diffuse potentially violent situations. Which of the following diagnoses can staff expect to be more frequently associated with violence?

• A. Alcohol or drug withdrawal
• B. Anxiety
• C. Depression
• D. Confusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Alcohol or drug withdrawal is more frequently associated with violence as these conditions alter a person's inhibitions. Gilmore (2006) highlights that working with the public involves inherent risks and stressors. Individuals with head trauma, mental illnesses, and those withdrawing from substances are more likely to respond with violence. Anxiety, depression, and confusion do not typically lead to increased violent behavior compared to conditions involving substance withdrawal.

3. Which of the following statements about time management is true?

• A. Time management is not important in nursing
• B. Writing goals will increase stress
• C. Effective time management reduces stress
• D. Setting goals is a time waster

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Effective time management reduces stress. Proper time management allows nurses to prioritize tasks, allocate sufficient time for each activity, and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. This, in turn, helps in reducing stress levels and increasing productivity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Time management is crucial in nursing to ensure efficient patient care and task completion. Writing goals helps in providing direction and motivation, reducing stress rather than increasing it. Setting goals is not a time waster; it is a fundamental aspect of effective time management.

4. What is the primary focus of Lean methodology in healthcare?

• A. Reduce healthcare costs
• B. Enhance patient satisfaction
• C. Increase patient throughput
• D. Standardize care processes

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Standardize care processes. Lean methodology in healthcare focuses on standardizing care processes to improve efficiency and reduce waste. While reducing healthcare costs and enhancing patient satisfaction are important goals in healthcare, the primary focus of Lean methodology is to standardize care processes to ensure consistent, high-quality care delivery. Increasing patient throughput may be a byproduct of implementing Lean principles but is not the primary focus.

5. A typical budget takes time to prepare. What timetable should the nurse manager plan for the budgeting process?

• A. 9-12 months
• B. 3-6 months
• C. 1-2 months
• D. Over two years

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 3-6 months. The process of preparing a typical budget usually takes around 3-6 months. This allows enough time for gathering financial data, analyzing expenses, projecting revenues, and finalizing the budget. Choice A (9-12 months) is too long for a typical budgeting process in most settings. Choice C (1-2 months) is too short to adequately complete all the necessary steps in the budgeting process. Choice D (Over two years) is excessive and not practical for the timeline of a standard budget preparation.

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