Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following best describes the concept of just culture in a healthcare organization?

• A. A culture of blaming individuals for mistakes
• B. A culture of encouraging reporting and learning from errors
• C. A culture of punishing individuals for errors
• D. A culture of ignoring errors

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Just culture in a healthcare organization promotes a blame-free environment where individuals are encouraged to report errors and focus on learning from them to improve patient safety and quality of care. Choice A is incorrect as just culture does not involve blaming individuals. Choice C is incorrect as it goes against the principles of just culture by advocating for punishment rather than learning. Choice D is incorrect as just culture aims to address errors constructively rather than ignore them.

2. A client complains every morning that the night shift nursing staff does not answer his call light promptly to assist his elimination needs. His concerns are not shared with the Nurse Manager, and he falls while trying to walk to the bathroom. This fall could be attributed to which of the following?

• A. Breakdown in communication
• B. Lack of staff
• C. Lack of concern
• D. Breakdown in management

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breakdown in communication. In this scenario, the client's complaints about the night shift nursing staff not responding promptly to his call light indicate a lack of effective communication. If the client's concerns were properly communicated to the Nurse Manager, steps could have been taken to address the issue and prevent the fall. Choice B, Lack of staff, is incorrect as the issue here is not related to staffing levels but rather to communication breakdown. Choice C, Lack of concern, is not the primary cause of the fall; the root cause lies in communication failure. Choice D, Breakdown in management, while related, is not as direct a cause as the breakdown in communication which led to the fall.

3. Which of the following is a common characteristic of a high reliability organization (HRO)?

• A. Flexibility
• B. Reluctance to simplify
• C. Preoccupation with failure
• D. Deference to expertise

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A common characteristic of a high reliability organization (HRO) is a preoccupation with failure. HROs focus on identifying and addressing potential failure points to prevent errors and maintain high levels of safety and reliability. This mindset helps them anticipate and mitigate risks proactively, leading to better outcomes and performance. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. While flexibility, reluctance to simplify, and deference to expertise may be important in various contexts, they are not the primary defining characteristics of a high reliability organization. The core focus of HROs is on continuously monitoring for potential failures and working to prevent them.

4. Which of the following are considered part of the operating expenses within health care organizations? (EXCEPT)

• A. Maintenance costs
• B. Rental fees
• C. Renovation costs
• D. Supplies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Operating expenses in health care organizations typically include costs like maintenance, rental fees, and supplies as they are necessary for the day-to-day operations. Renovation costs, on the other hand, are considered capital expenses as they involve significant improvements to facilities rather than routine operational expenses. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Choices A, B, and D are part of operating expenses in health care organizations because they directly contribute to the ongoing operational needs.

5. After receiving change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

• A. 19-year-old with type 1 diabetes who has a hemoglobin A1C of 12%
• B. 23-year-old with type 1 diabetes who has a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL
• C. 40-year-old who is pregnant and has an oral glucose tolerance test result of 202 mg/dL
• D. 50-year-old who uses exenatide (Byetta) and is complaining of acute abdominal pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the patient with a blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL (hypoglycemia) needs immediate attention. Hypoglycemia is an emergency situation that requires prompt intervention to prevent adverse effects such as seizures or loss of consciousness. Assessing and managing this patient first is crucial to prevent further deterioration. Choices A, C, and D do not present immediate life-threatening situations requiring urgent intervention like severe hypoglycemia does. While a high hemoglobin A1C level (choice A), an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result (choice C), and acute abdominal pain (choice D) are important issues, they do not pose an immediate threat to the patient's life compared to severe hypoglycemia.

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