Nursing Elites

1. Why is critical thinking necessary for identifying and understanding paradigms that exist in nursing practice?

• A. Critical thinking allows for the nurse to make superficial decisions.
• B. Critical thinking allows the nurse to thoroughly examine situations and issues.
• C. Critical thinking provides the nurse with quick answers.
• D. Critical thinking allows the nurse to accept information without needing to check its validity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Critical thinking is essential for nurses to identify and understand paradigms in nursing practice because it enables them to thoroughly examine complex situations and issues. By critically analyzing information and considering various perspectives, nurses can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying paradigms that shape nursing practice. This thorough examination helps nurses make informed decisions and provide high-quality care to patients. Choice A is incorrect because critical thinking involves deeper analysis, not superficial decisions. Choice C is incorrect because critical thinking does not provide quick answers; it involves a systematic and thoughtful approach. Choice D is incorrect because critical thinking encourages nurses to question information and verify its validity rather than accepting it blindly.

2. How can the nurse best advocate for a patient who will be discharged from acute care to home?

• A. Arranging for Meals on Wheels to provide in-home meals
• B. Administering pain medication prior to discharge
• C. Teaching the patient how to take medications at home
• D. Taking the patient by wheelchair to the car

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Arranging for in-home support services like Meals on Wheels is crucial for ensuring the patient receives proper nutrition and support after discharge. This goes beyond simply administering medications or providing transportation. By arranging for in-home meals, the nurse addresses the patient's nutritional needs, promotes their overall well-being, and supports their ongoing care requirements. Administering pain medication or teaching medication management, while important, do not directly address the patient's need for nutritional support. Taking the patient by wheelchair to the car is focused on physical transportation and does not encompass the holistic care approach needed for a successful transition to home care.

3. What factor has had the greatest impact on the current nursing shortage?

• A. Later age at which women have children
• B. Decrease in the number of women being born
• C. Overall unemployment rate
• D. Increased employment options for women

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The increased employment options for women have had a significant impact on the current nursing shortage. With more career choices available to women, there is a decrease in the number of individuals pursuing nursing as a profession, contributing to the shortage. This is because women are choosing diverse career paths due to increased opportunities. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. A later age at which women have children and the decrease in the number of women being born are not directly related to the nursing shortage. The overall unemployment rate, while influencing job availability, is not the primary factor driving the shortage of nurses.

4. On what are most nursing paradigms based?

• A. The nurse's ability to perform procedures with skill
• B. Dr. Jean Watson's transpersonal caring theory
• C. Maslow's theory of hierarchy of needs
• D. Learning by studying nursing theories and clinical experiences

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Most nursing paradigms are founded on the understanding and application of nursing theories through studying them and gaining practical experiences in clinical settings. While the nurse's ability to perform procedures with skill is important, it is not the foundation of nursing paradigms. Dr. Jean Watson's transpersonal caring theory and Maslow's theory of hierarchy of needs are significant in nursing practice but do not serve as the basis for most nursing paradigms. Nursing paradigms are shaped by a combination of studying nursing theories and hands-on clinical experiences, which provide the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for nursing practice.

5. What does valuing respect for the individual as defining high-quality patient care describe about the nurse's approach to patient care?

• A. Critical thinking
• B. Caritas
• C. Paradigm
• D. Hierarchy of needs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Valuing respect for the individual as defining high-quality patient care describes the nurse's paradigm, which is the overall way of thinking and approaching patient care that guides their actions and decisions. It reflects their fundamental beliefs and values regarding patient interactions and care delivery. Critical thinking involves analyzing information objectively and evaluating situations to make informed decisions. Caritas refers to acts of loving kindness and compassionate care in nursing practice. The hierarchy of needs is a theory that describes the hierarchical nature of human needs, such as physiological needs, safety needs, and social needs.

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