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. What is the main purpose of a clinical audit?

• A. To measure patient satisfaction
• B. To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical practices
• C. To identify areas for improvement
• D. To standardize patient care protocols

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main purpose of a clinical audit is to identify areas for improvement in clinical practices. While patient satisfaction might be a component evaluated during an audit, the primary goal is to ensure that care is safe, effective, and patient-centered, rather than solely focusing on satisfaction. Evaluating the effectiveness of clinical practices is a related but more specific goal compared to the broader aim of identifying areas for improvement. Standardizing patient care protocols can be a result of a clinical audit, but it is not the main purpose, which is to pinpoint areas needing enhancement.

3. A middle adult client tells the nurse, 'I feel so useless now that my children do not need me anymore.' Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. Validate the client's feelings by saying, 'People in middle adulthood often find satisfaction in nurturing and guiding young people.'
• B. Encourage the client to explore the reasons behind feeling useless.
• C. Reassure the client by saying, 'You should be proud that your children are becoming independent.'
• D. Provide information by saying, 'Most people are happy when their children grow up and leave home.'

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response is to validate the client's feelings by acknowledging that individuals in middle adulthood often derive satisfaction from nurturing and guiding young people. This response shows empathy and understanding towards the client's emotions. Choice B is incorrect because it may come across as dismissive of the client's feelings. Choice C is incorrect as it does not address the client's emotional state and could be perceived as minimizing their concerns. Choice D is incorrect as it generalizes feelings and may not be applicable to the client's specific situation.

4. How has advanced technology in health care, such as integrated health records, benefited nurses?

• A. Skip the assessment step of the nursing process
• B. Order medications
• C. Take blood samples
• D. Track patients' vital signs

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Advanced technology in health care, like integrated health records, has enabled nurses to efficiently track patients' vital signs. This capability helps nurses monitor patients' health status closely and make informed decisions regarding their care. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because technology does not replace the vital role of nurses in conducting assessments, ordering medications (typically done by prescribers), or collecting blood samples.

5. Which of the following describes the ability to enter into a contract with an employer?

• A. Certification to contract
• B. Certification to represent
• C. Bargaining agreement
• D. Contract agreement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'Certification to contract,' which refers to the process by which a union, certified by the NLRB as a bargaining agent, can enter into a contract with an employer that has been voted on by the union membership. The other choices are incorrect because 'Certification to represent' does not specifically address entering into a contract, 'Bargaining agreement' refers to the actual agreement reached through negotiation, and 'Contract agreement' is redundant, as it simply repeats the term 'contract.'

Similar Questions