Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following best describes the concept of total quality management (TQM)?

• A. Top-down management
• B. Employee-centered approach
• C. Continuous improvement
• D. Quality control

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Continuous improvement. Total quality management (TQM) focuses on continuously improving all aspects of healthcare delivery to enhance patient care, safety, and overall quality. Choice A, 'Top-down management,' does not capture the essence of TQM, which involves involvement at all levels of an organization. Choice B, 'Employee-centered approach,' while important, is not the defining characteristic of TQM. Choice D, 'Quality control,' is a component of TQM but does not fully encompass its comprehensive approach to quality improvement.

2. Which nursing action can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working in the diabetic clinic?

• A. Measure the ankle-brachial index.
• B. Check for changes in skin pigmentation.
• C. Assess for unilateral or bilateral foot drop.
• D. Ask the patient about symptoms of depression.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Measure the ankle-brachial index. This task involves using a Doppler ultrasound device to assess blood flow, which can be safely delegated to UAP. Choices B, C, and D require a higher level of assessment and interpretation that should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Checking for changes in skin pigmentation (B) and assessing for foot drop (C) involve more complex assessments that require nursing judgment. Asking about symptoms of depression (D) involves a psychosocial assessment, which should be performed by licensed personnel qualified to address mental health concerns.

3. Which of the following is an example of a sentinel event in healthcare?

• A. A patient falling in the hospital without injury
• B. A near-miss medication error
• C. An unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness
• D. A patient developing an infection during a hospital stay

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A sentinel event in healthcare is an unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness. These events are serious occurrences that warrant immediate investigation and response to prevent their recurrence and ensure patient safety. Choices A, B, and D do not fit the definition of a sentinel event. While choices A, B, and D are serious incidents, they do not involve an unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness, which is the defining characteristic of a sentinel event.

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. Which of the following is an example of voluntary absenteeism?

• A. Staying home for a sick child
• B. Staying home for a funeral
• C. Staying home to run errands or finish housework
• D. Staying home for sickness

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Staying home to run errands or finish housework.' Voluntary absenteeism refers to absences that are within the employee's control. Running errands or completing housework are choices an employee makes, unlike being absent due to sickness or a funeral, which are events beyond the employee's control. Choices A, B, and D involve reasons for absence that are not voluntary as they are influenced by external circumstances, such as illness or family emergencies.

Similar Questions