Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following best describes the role of a nurse leader?

• A. Managing patient care directly
• B. Enforcing healthcare policies
• C. Inspiring and motivating the healthcare team
• D. Ensuring regulatory compliance

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Inspiring and motivating the healthcare team.' Nurse leaders play a crucial role in fostering a positive and collaborative work environment by motivating and inspiring their team members. Choice A is incorrect because managing patient care directly is typically the responsibility of staff nurses, while nurse leaders focus on leadership and coordination. Choice B is incorrect as enforcing healthcare policies is usually a function of compliance officers or administrators. Choice D is also incorrect as ensuring regulatory compliance is important but is usually overseen by compliance officers or regulatory affairs specialists, not specifically the role of a nurse leader.

2. Which of the following should be included in a discussion of advance directives with new nurse graduates?

• A. According to the Patient Self-Determination Act, nurses are required to inform clients of their right to create an advance directive.
• B. The advance directive designates an individual who will make financial decisions for the client if he or she is unable to do so.
• C. A living will designates who will make health-care decisions for an individual in the event the individual is unable or incompetent to make his or her own decisions.
• D. The advance directive designates a health-care surrogate who will make known the client’s wishes regarding medical treatment if the client is unable to do so.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: One function of the advance directive is to appoint a health-care surrogate who will make known the client’s wishes for medical treatment to the medical and nursing team if the client is unable to do so.

3. Which of the following is a common characteristic of a high-performing healthcare team?

• A. Effective communication
• B. Shared leadership
• C. Collaborative decision making
• D. Hierarchical structure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Collaborative decision making is a key characteristic of a high-performing healthcare team because it involves team members working together to make decisions that lead to the best outcomes for patients. Effective communication is important in any team, but collaborative decision making goes beyond communication by involving team members in the decision-making process. Shared leadership is also crucial for a high-performing team, as it promotes equality and empowerment among team members. On the other hand, a hierarchical structure can hinder effective communication and teamwork by creating barriers between team members and limiting input from all team members, which is counterproductive to achieving optimal healthcare outcomes.

4. A nurse manager asks the staff to submit written suggestions for a change in policy. The group would then vote on the different suggestions. What type of decision-making technique did the nurse manager use?

• A. Statistical aggregation
• B. Nominal group technique
• C. Brainstorming
• D. Delphi

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse manager used the nominal group technique. This technique involves group members submitting written suggestions, followed by a voting process. Statistical aggregation involves analyzing numerical data, not suggestions. Brainstorming focuses on generating creative ideas collectively, without a structured voting process. Delphi technique involves reaching a consensus through a series of questionnaires or surveys, without a direct voting process.

5. 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.

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