Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is an essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program?

• A. Blame and punishment
• B. Employee satisfaction
• C. Continual monitoring
• D. Strict adherence to policies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program is continual monitoring. Continual monitoring allows for the ongoing assessment of processes, identification of areas for improvement, and tracking of progress. Option A, 'Blame and punishment,' is incorrect as QI programs focus on systemic issues rather than individual blame. Option B, 'Employee satisfaction,' while important for organizational culture, is not an essential element of QI programs. Option D, 'Strict adherence to policies,' is valuable but not the core essential element, which is continual monitoring to drive improvement.

2. While caring for a client with tuberculosis, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Use antimicrobial sanitizer for hand hygiene.
• B. Wear a surgical mask when providing client care.
• C. Limit each visitor to 2-hour increments.
• D. Wear gloves when assisting the client with oral care.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with tuberculosis is to use antimicrobial sanitizer for hand hygiene. Tuberculosis is primarily spread through the air, so wearing a surgical mask when providing care (choice B) would be more appropriate for diseases transmitted via droplets. Limiting visitors (choice C) and wearing gloves for oral care (choice D) are important infection control measures but are not specifically tailored to tuberculosis transmission.

3. An RN cared for a state senator during the day shift. Later that day he was having dinner with friends when the news mentioned the senator had been hospitalized. The RN�s friends asked if he knew what was wrong with the senator. Which ethical principle should the RN consider when replying?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Confidentiality
• C. Veracity
• D. Accountability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The principle of confidentiality requires nurses to hold healthcare information and anything patients tell them in the strictest confidence.

4. The healthcare provider is developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure (CHF). Which components are essential to include? (Select ONE that does not apply.)

• A. Expected length of stay
• B. Assigned staff healthcare provider
• C. Patient outcomes
• D. Medical diagnosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Critical pathways are designed to outline the expected sequence and timing of interventions to achieve optimal patient outcomes for a specific medical condition. Components such as the expected length of stay, patient outcomes, and medical diagnosis are crucial in developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure. However, the assigned staff healthcare provider is not typically a fixed component of a critical pathway as it may vary based on staffing schedules and rotations. Therefore, the assigned staff healthcare provider is the component that does not apply.

5. While interviewing for a position at City Hospital, the nurse asks about the organizational structure of the institution. She is told that the hospital is organized into departments based on specialty (e.g., nursing, dietary, pharmacy, etc.). Based on what you know about organizational structure, select the structure in this example.

• A. Parallel
• B. Functional
• C. Service-integrated
• D. Matrix

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Functional.' In a functional structure, organizations group employees into departments based on specialty, where similar tasks are performed by the same group. In this scenario, the hospital organizing its departments by specialty such as nursing, dietary, and pharmacy aligns with the characteristics of a functional structure. Choice A, 'Parallel,' does not fit the scenario described; parallel structures involve separate, independent units operating in parallel with little interaction. Choice C, 'Service-integrated,' does not align with the scenario either as it involves integrating services across departments. Choice D, 'Matrix,' is not the correct answer as it involves a complex organizational structure where employees report to multiple managers simultaneously, which is not the case in the scenario provided.

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