Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A nurse is caring for a client after knee replacement surgery. The nurse discovers that the consent was not signed before the surgery. Which of the following charges could be filed?

• A. False imprisonment
• B. Libel
• C. Battery
• D. Malpractice

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Battery. Battery occurs when an individual is touched without consent. Performing surgery without a signed consent constitutes battery as it involves touching the patient's body without proper authorization. False imprisonment (choice A) involves restraining someone against their will, which is not applicable in this scenario. Libel (choice B) refers to written defamation, which is not relevant to the situation described. Malpractice (choice D) involves negligence or incompetence in providing professional services, which is different from the lack of consent issue presented in this case.

3. When planning a budget, the nurse manager knows that costs depend on and change in direct proportion to patient volume and activity. What type of costs are these?

• A. Variable costs
• B. Indirect costs
• C. Fixed costs
• D. Direct costs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Variable costs vary in direct proportion to patient volume and activity. These costs increase or decrease based on the level of patient care provided. Indirect costs are not directly tied to patient volume, fixed costs remain constant regardless of patient volume, and direct costs are directly attributable to patient care but may not vary with patient volume and activity. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Variable costs.'

4. Many patient classification systems have some type of shortcoming. Among these are:

• A. The client's condition changes before the next shift.
• B. The staffing needs are predicted on a short-term basis.
• C. The potential admissions cannot be accounted for.
• D. The staffing mix changes because of illness.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Patient classification systems have limitations in accounting for changes in a client's condition, unexpected influx of new admissions, and changes in staffing due to illness. These systems often focus on short-term staffing needs rather than utilizing demand management, which considers client outcomes to predict staffing needs over a longer period. Not being able to account for potential admissions can lead to challenges in effectively managing staff allocation and resources. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific limitation of patient classification systems related to accounting for potential admissions.

5. What is a common method used to collect work activity information from an applicant?

• A. Self-report logs
• B. Work sample questions
• C. Motion studies
• D. Interviewing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Work sample questions are a common method used to collect work activity information from an applicant. This method allows employers to assess an applicant's skills and abilities by having them perform tasks that simulate actual job duties. Self-report logs (Choice A) rely on applicants' self-disclosure, which may not always be accurate. Motion studies (Choice C) involve observing and analyzing work movements to improve efficiency, rather than collecting work activity information directly from applicants. While interviewing (Choice D) is a common method in the selection process, it is more focused on assessing qualifications, experiences, and fit rather than directly collecting work activity information.

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