You pick the legal, honest next step when rights, consent, or a policy collide with a request. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the RN exams exam guide or more RN exams practice questions.
Five ethics questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
The role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) would include:
A. diagnosing a patient with pneumonia and prescribing antibiotics.
B. teaching members of a faith community how to avoid skin cancer and referring those with suspicious lesions.
C. participating in the team who is investigating possible abuse of elderly persons by members of a gang known to sell illegal drugs.
D. coordinating care of a patient admitted 4 days ago with stage IV heart failure and chronic bronchitis by revising care plan to include ambulation 50 feet with assistance.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — coordinating care of a patient admitted 4 days ago with stage IV heart failure and chronic bronchitis by revising care plan to include ambulation 50 feet with assistance.
The correct answer is D because the role of a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) involves coordinating and managing the care of patients. In this scenario, the CNL is revising the care plan for a patient with complex health issues, such as heart failure and chronic bronchitis, by incorporating specific interventions like ambulation with assistance. This aligns with the core responsibilities of a CNL, which include care coordination, implementation of evidence-based practice, and leadership in interdisciplinary teams.
Choice A is incorrect because nurses, including CNLs, do not have the authority to diagnose and prescribe medications, as this falls under the scope of practice of a physician or advanced practice nurse.
Choice B is incorrect because while health education and referral are important aspects of nursing practice, they are more aligned with the role of a community health nurse rather than a CNL.
Choice C is incorrect because investigating abuse and criminal activities is beyond the scope of a CNL's role, as their focus is primarily on
Question 2
A client involved in a motor vehicle accident is blinded. The nurse helps the client obtain a guide dog so the client may continue grocery shopping and visiting friends and family. This enables the client to cope with the handicap and perform activities of daily living. Which nursing theory can be applied to this scenario?
A. Watson's philosophy and science of caring and humanistic nursing
B. Mishel's uncertainty in illness
C. Orem's self-care deficit
D. Rogers' science of unitary human beings
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Watson's philosophy and science of caring and humanistic nursing
The correct answer is A: Watson's philosophy and science of caring and humanistic nursing. This theory emphasizes the importance of the nurse-client relationship, caring, and holistic care. In this scenario, obtaining a guide dog for the client reflects the nurse's caring actions to promote the client's independence and well-being. By helping the client cope with the handicap and continue daily activities, the nurse embodies the essence of caring and humanistic nursing.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Mishel's uncertainty in illness - This theory focuses on how individuals respond to uncertainty in illness situations, which does not directly apply to the scenario of obtaining a guide dog for a blinded client.
C: Orem's self-care deficit - This theory emphasizes the nurse's role in assisting clients with self-care activities when they are unable to do so independently. While related to the scenario, it does not capture the essence of caring and humanistic nursing demonstrated in the client's situation.
D: Rogers' science of unitary human beings - This
Question 3
Which trend is an effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education?
A. Only devoted qualified nurses are continuing to provide bedside nursing because of the complexity of care required, resulting in excellent preceptorships for students.
B. The number of applicants to nursing programs has risen, but enrollment is limited because of a decrease in the number of available scholarships and grants.
C. With an increase in the number of nurses who are entering graduate school to escape bedside nursing, students will soon enjoy a lower faculty/student ratio.
D. Students may be assigned to preceptors who have not yet developed expertise in the field of interest.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Students may be assigned to preceptors who have not yet developed expertise in the field of interest.
The correct answer is D because the nursing shortage has led to a situation where students may be assigned to preceptors who have not yet developed expertise in the field of interest. This is a direct effect of the shortage as experienced and qualified nurses may not always be available to mentor students. This can impact the quality of education and training students receive, potentially hindering their learning and skill development.
Options A, B, and C are incorrect:
A: While it is true that devoted qualified nurses may be providing bedside nursing due to the complexity of care required, this does not directly relate to the effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education.
B: The increase in the number of applicants and limited enrollment due to financial reasons is a separate issue from the shortage's impact on nursing education.
C: The increase in nurses entering graduate school does not necessarily result in a lower faculty/student ratio for nursing students and is not a direct effect of the nursing shortage on nursing education.
Question 4
A physician shares with the patient's family that, while a central line was being inserted, the patient's lungs were inadvertently punctured, which required oxygen administration. The physician also explains that a chest x-ray indicated the lung remained intact and no additional treatment was required. The physician's role in this instance is based on the legal principle of:
A. comparative negligence.
B. gross negligence.
C. disclosure.
D. the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — disclosure.
The correct answer is C: disclosure. In this scenario, the physician shared information about the accidental lung puncture with the patient's family, demonstrating transparency and honesty. This aligns with the legal principle of disclosure, which emphasizes the importance of informing patients and their families about relevant medical information. The physician's actions foster trust and open communication, ensuring that the patient and family are informed about the situation.
Choice A: comparative negligence, is incorrect because it involves assessing the degree of negligence by both parties involved, which is not applicable in this context.
Choice B: gross negligence, is incorrect because the physician's actions do not demonstrate recklessness or a complete disregard for the patient's safety.
Choice D: the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), is incorrect because this law primarily addresses the provision of emergency medical care and ensuring access to necessary services, not the disclosure of medical errors.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing a scholarly publication on the prevalence of hepatitis A worldwide. The most efficient and effective means of conducting an Internet search to gather information for this publication is to use:
A. a search engine such as Google or Yahoo.
B. a consumer health website.
C. a decision support system.
D. MEDLINE database.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — MEDLINE database.
The correct answer is D: MEDLINE database. MEDLINE is a reputable database that provides access to a vast array of peer-reviewed medical literature, making it an excellent resource for scholarly publications. Here's the rationale:
1. Credibility: MEDLINE contains high-quality, peer-reviewed articles from reputable medical journals, ensuring the information obtained is reliable and accurate.
2. Specificity: The database is focused on medical research, including studies on hepatitis A, providing targeted and relevant information for the nurse's publication.
3. Efficiency: Search results in MEDLINE are organized and easily accessible, allowing the nurse to efficiently gather information without sifting through irrelevant sources.
4. Up-to-date: MEDLINE is regularly updated with the latest research findings, ensuring the nurse has access to the most current information on hepatitis A.
In summary, using MEDLINE is the best choice for the nurse as it offers credible, specific, efficient, and up-to-date information compared to the other options.
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Question 6
A graduate is preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination. Based on the latest practice survey, the candidate would focus the most amount of time on which content?
A. Stages of grief
B. Pharmacologic pain management
C. Practices to promote rest and sleep
D. Prioritization of workload to manage time effectively
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Pharmacologic pain management. This is the most important content area to focus on for the NCLEX-RN exam because pain management is a critical aspect of nursing care. Nurses must understand different types of pain, medications used for pain management, side effects, and assessment techniques. Pharmacologic pain management directly impacts patient comfort and quality of care.
Rationale:
1. Pain management is a fundamental aspect of nursing care.
2. Pharmacologic pain management knowledge is crucial for safe and effective patient care.
3. NCLEX commonly tests on pharmacological interventions and their implications.
4. Understanding pain management aligns with nursing scope of practice and ethical responsibilities.
Other Choices:
A: Stages of grief - While important in nursing, this topic is not as high-priority for the NCLEX-RN exam.
C: Practices to promote rest and sleep - Important, but not as directly related to pharmacological interventions.
D: Prioritization of workload to manage time effectively - Relevant
The nurse is discussing the importance of evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) with a group of students. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of this process?
A. "EBDM is a one-step process to make clinical decisions.â€
B. "EBDM utilizes subjective decision-making.â€
C. "EBDM uses interventions with replicable results.â€
D. "EBDM relies on past nursing experiences.â€
Correct answer:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
1. Evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) involves using interventions with replicable results based on high-quality research evidence.
2. By utilizing interventions with replicable results, healthcare providers can ensure consistency and effectiveness in patient care.
3. This process helps in making informed decisions that are based on scientific evidence rather than personal biases or experiences.
4. Choosing interventions with replicable results leads to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Incorrect. EBDM is not a one-step process; it involves multiple steps including identifying a clinical question, searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, and applying it to practice.
B: Incorrect. EBDM aims to minimize subjective decision-making by relying on objective research evidence rather than personal opinions.
D: Incorrect. While past nursing experiences can inform decision-making, EBDM emphasizes the use of current research evidence to guide practice.
Hospitals surveyed nurses who terminated their employment to determine why they chose to leave. One of the most common reasons for leaving was:
A. decreased pay for alternative shifts.
B. that the nurse/patient ratio prevents safe care.
C. that most facilities are choosing an all-RN staff, which decreases opportunities for advancement.
D. that agency and foreign nurses are favored by administration over full-time nursing staff.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: that the nurse/patient ratio prevents safe care. This answer is correct because inadequate nurse/patient ratios have been consistently identified as a major factor contributing to nurse dissatisfaction and burnout. When nurses are responsible for too many patients, they are unable to provide safe and effective care, leading to increased stress and job dissatisfaction.
Explanation of other choices:
A: Decreased pay for alternative shifts: While decreased pay may be a concern for some nurses, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for leaving a position.
C: Most facilities are choosing an all-RN staff, which decreases opportunities for advancement: While this may be a concern for some nurses, it is not as universally impactful as unsafe nurse/patient ratios.
D: Agency and foreign nurses are favored by administration over full-time nursing staff: While favoritism may be an issue in some cases, it is not typically cited as one of the most common reasons for nurses leaving their employment.
Which situation would be considered a workforce advocacy issue that is reportable to the state nurses association or the Center for American Nurses if it is not resolved at the local level?
A. Nurses prefer to wear navy blue scrubs, but the institution requires burgundy scrubs, which interferes with autonomy.
B. The cafeteria often serves fried vegetables rather than healthier baked vegetables, causing the potential for hyperlipidemia.
C. The hospital pharmacy does not fill employee prescriptions upon receiving them; instead, they fill employee prescriptions after all inpatient prescriptions have been filled.
D. The key needed to change the sharps container is locked in the supervisor's office after 3 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends, which prevents changing of the container when needed and places nurses at risk for needlesticks.
Correct answer:
Step 1: Identification of the Issue - The situation described in option D directly impacts the safety of nurses by preventing them from changing the sharps container when needed, posing a risk for needlestick injuries.
Step 2: Significance of the Issue - Needlestick injuries are a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers and can result in exposure to bloodborne pathogens, leading to infections such as HIV and Hepatitis.
Step 3: Advocacy Relevance - The inability to access the key to change the sharps container compromises the safety of nurses and violates their right to a safe work environment, making it a workforce advocacy issue.
Step 4: Reporting to Higher Authorities - If the issue is not resolved at the local level, it should be reported to the state nurses association or the Center for American Nurses for intervention and resolution to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
Summary:
Options A, B, and C do not directly relate to workforce advocacy issues that pose a significant risk to nurses' safety. Option
A patient who is interested in herbal medicine attends a seminar to learn more about complementary alternative medicine (CAM). The patient learns that a common belief related to all CAMs includes that: (select all that apply)
A. the body is not able to repair itself; thus, natural remedies are used to inhibit the immune system.
B. many different CAMs that focus on specific body parts and the mind are needed.
C. the focus of CAM is on an intervention for the diseased body part.
D. each CAM treatment is unique to the person who is being treated.
Correct answer:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. Many different CAMs focus on specific body parts and the mind: This statement aligns with the holistic approach of CAM, which emphasizes treating the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
2. CAMs are not limited to interventions for diseased body parts; they often aim to promote overall well-being and address underlying causes.
3. Individualized treatment is a common principle in CAM, but it is not the defining belief shared by all CAM practices.
4. The body's ability to repair itself is a fundamental concept in CAM, and natural remedies are often used to support and enhance this innate healing process.
Summary:
Choice A is incorrect because it contradicts the fundamental belief in the body's self-healing abilities in CAM. Choice C is incorrect because CAM often focuses on promoting health and preventing disease rather than just intervening in diseased body parts. Choice D is also incorrect as individualized treatment is not a universal belief among all
A patient presents with chest pain that increases when lying flat and low-grade fever. Assessment reveals muffled heart sounds, tachycardia, and 3+ edema in the lower extremities. The nurse asks the patient to learn forward, which eases respiratory efforts. The nurse then places the stethoscope at which area on the chest to facilitate auscultation? The above question represents which type of alternate-format question written at which level of Bloom's taxonomy?
A. Multiple-response item, comprehension level
B. Hot-spot item, analysis level
C. Chart/exhibit item, application level
D. Drag-and-drop item, knowledge level
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Hot-spot item, analysis level. In this scenario, the patient's symptoms suggest pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade. To facilitate auscultation, the nurse should place the stethoscope at the point of maximal intensity of the heart sounds, which is typically at the apex of the heart or the lower left sternal border. This requires the nurse to analyze the patient's symptoms and apply knowledge of cardiac anatomy to determine the optimal auscultation site.
A: Multiple-response item, comprehension level - This choice involves selecting multiple correct answers from a list of options based on understanding the presented information. It doesn't require the critical thinking and analysis needed in this scenario.
C: Chart/exhibit item, application level - This choice involves interpreting information presented in a chart or exhibit to apply it to a specific situation. While it involves application, it doesn't require the same level of analysis as determining the best auscultation site.
D: Drag-and
A nurse is interested in learning more about health policy and how it might impact nursing practice. She is especially interested in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and how it will travel through the three branches of the federal government. She researches the roles of the legislative branch of the federal government and learns that this branch: (select all that apply)
A. determines which laws are constitutional, such as recently deciding the PPACA is constitutional because it is a form of taxation.
B. has the exclusive power to determine where federal dollars will be spent, such as supporting the PPACA.
C. consists of the Office of the President and 15 executive departments that supported the PPACA.
D. has the power to veto laws found constitutional by the Supreme court and therefore could veto the PPACe. can override a Presidential veto, making it possible to amend the PPACA even without approval of the President.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because the legislative branch determines which laws are constitutional by passing or rejecting proposed legislation. In the case of the PPACA, the legislative branch, specifically the Congress, passed the law. The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the constitutionality of laws (not determine which laws are constitutional), as seen in the case where the PPACA was upheld as a form of taxation.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B is incorrect because while the legislative branch appropriates funds, the actual allocation of federal dollars is determined through the budget process, not solely by the legislative branch.
C is incorrect because the executive branch, not the legislative branch, consists of the President and executive departments that implement laws like the PPACA.
D is incorrect because the legislative branch can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote, not vice versa. The President does not have the power to veto laws found constitutional by the Supreme Court.
A nurse implements an education program that incorporates computer games to reinforce learning for a group of older adults. Although the research demonstrates evidence of improved retention of this information, the nurse experiences exactly the opposite with this group. Which of the following is the most likely cause of such poor outcomes?
A. Failure to consider client and setting differences
B. Inadequate incorporation of evidence into practice
C. Inferior quality of the available research evidence
D. Lack of skills when evaluating the evidence
Correct answer:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Failure to consider client and setting differences is the most likely cause because older adults may have different learning preferences and capabilities compared to other age groups.
2. Older adults may not be familiar or comfortable with computer games, leading to poor outcomes despite research evidence suggesting effectiveness.
3. Considering client and setting differences is crucial in implementing successful educational programs tailored to the specific needs of the target population.
Summary:
B: Inadequate incorporation of evidence into practice is incorrect because the research evidence has shown improved retention, indicating that the evidence was appropriately incorporated.
C: Inferior quality of the available research evidence is incorrect as the research demonstrated evidence of improved retention.
D: Lack of skills when evaluating the evidence is incorrect as the issue lies more with understanding the specific needs and preferences of the older adult population.
The demographics of the twenty-first century nursing population indicate that:
A. individuals entering nursing are second-degree students who average 45 years of age.
B. more white nurses enter and obtain graduate degrees than any other ethnic group.
C. the highest level of nursing education for most RNs is an associate degree.
D. the majority of nurses practice in hospitals.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C because the highest level of nursing education for most RNs is an associate degree. This is supported by data showing that a significant proportion of registered nurses have obtained their education through associate degree programs. Additionally, pursuing an associate degree is a common pathway for individuals entering the nursing profession due to its accessibility and shorter duration compared to obtaining a bachelor's or graduate degree.
Choice A is incorrect because while there may be second-degree nursing students entering the field, the average age of individuals entering nursing is typically younger than 45 years old. Choice B is incorrect as there is increasing diversity in the nursing workforce, with nurses from various ethnic backgrounds entering and obtaining graduate degrees. Choice D is incorrect as the majority of nurses are not practicing in hospitals, with many working in other healthcare settings such as clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health centers.
A nurse implements an education program that incorporates computer games to reinforce learning for a group of older adults. Although the research demonstrates evidence of improved retention of this information, the nurse experiences exactly the opposite with this group. Which of the following is the most likely cause of such poor outcomes?
A. Failure to consider client and setting differences
B. Inadequate incorporation of evidence into practice
C. Inferior quality of the available research evidence
D. Lack of skills when evaluating the evidence
Correct answer:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Failure to consider client and setting differences is the most likely cause because older adults may have different learning preferences and capabilities compared to other age groups.
2. Older adults may not be familiar or comfortable with computer games, leading to poor outcomes despite research evidence suggesting effectiveness.
3. Considering client and setting differences is crucial in implementing successful educational programs tailored to the specific needs of the target population.
Summary:
B: Inadequate incorporation of evidence into practice is incorrect because the research evidence has shown improved retention, indicating that the evidence was appropriately incorporated.
C: Inferior quality of the available research evidence is incorrect as the research demonstrated evidence of improved retention.
D: Lack of skills when evaluating the evidence is incorrect as the issue lies more with understanding the specific needs and preferences of the older adult population.
RN exams ethics practice questions, set 3 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the RN exams exam guide.
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