Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma in nursing?

• A. Choosing between two equally undesirable alternatives
• B. Reporting a colleague's unethical behavior
• C. Balancing patient confidentiality with the need to disclose information
• D. Deciding whether to comply with a patient's request that conflicts with professional ethics

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. An ethical dilemma in nursing involves deciding whether to comply with a patient's request that conflicts with professional ethics, balancing competing values and principles. Choices A, B, and C do not directly represent ethical dilemmas in nursing. Choice A describes a general ethical dilemma, choice B involves professional conduct rather than a dilemma, and choice C refers to a confidentiality issue rather than conflicting ethical principles.

2. What is the primary role of a nurse in an interdisciplinary team?

• A. To lead the healthcare team
• B. To advocate for the patient
• C. To provide emotional support to the patient
• D. To ensure compliance with regulations

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To advocate for the patient.' Nurses play a crucial role in interdisciplinary teams by ensuring that the patient's needs and preferences are considered in the care plan. While leadership (Choice A) can be a part of a nurse's responsibilities in certain situations, the primary role is patient advocacy. Providing emotional support (Choice C) is important but not the primary role in an interdisciplinary team. Ensuring compliance with regulations (Choice D) is important but not the primary focus when working within an interdisciplinary team.

3. A client experiences an air emboli, resulting in a stroke, during an IV start. This can be classified as which type of risk?

• A. Patient dissatisfaction
• B. Medical-legal incident
• C. Medication error
• D. Diagnostic procedure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Diagnostic procedure.' When a client experiences an air emboli leading to a stroke during an IV start, it falls under the category of a diagnostic procedure risk. This incident occurred during a procedure intended for diagnosis or evaluation. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Patient dissatisfaction refers to a client's discontent with care, service, or outcomes; a medical-legal incident involves legal issues related to healthcare practices; and a medication error pertains to mistakes in medication administration.

4. A manager is prioritizing the following issues. Of the following issues, which should be considered urgent and important?

• A. The manager of physical therapy calls and complains about inappropriate behaviors of one of the staff nurses with one of his therapists.
• B. A staff nurse reports a pattern of malfunctioning IV pumps on the unit during her current shift, resulting in overdosing of medications.
• C. One of the staff nurses, who would have been an extra nurse for the next shift, calls in sick.
• D. A small group of staff nurses request a meeting to discuss initiating a scheduling committee.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare settings. Malfunctioning IV pumps leading to medication overdosing poses a direct threat to patient safety and must be addressed urgently. Choice A involves interpersonal issues between staff members which are important but can be addressed in a less urgent manner compared to patient safety concerns. Choice C, a staff nurse calling in sick, is important for staffing but can be managed through existing protocols. Choice D, initiating a scheduling committee, is a routine operational matter that can be addressed at a later time and does not pose an immediate risk to patient safety.

5. What behaviors can be observed before a person becomes violent? (EXCEPT)

• A. Wandering
• B. Tense shoulders and clenched fists
• C. Blank stare
• D. Positioned with one foot in back and an arm pulled back

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Before a person becomes violent, observable behaviors may include tense shoulders, clenched fists, a blank stare, and being positioned with one foot in back and an arm pulled back. Wandering is not typically associated with threatening behaviors signaling imminent violence. DelBel (2003) suggests that strategies such as relaxed body language, maintaining physical distance, and silence can help de-escalate an agitated individual's response.

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