Nursing Elites

1. A newly hired nurse is being orientated in a community health center that provides care to the adjacent large Native American reservation/Canadian aboriginal reserve. Which statement by the nurse indicates a sound understanding of the Native American/First Nations population?

• A. I suppose that we will see a disproportionately high number of clients with lung and oral cancers.
• B. The high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension mean that strokes are likely to be relatively frequent in the area.
• C. It is unfortunate that many of the older Native Americans/First Nations people are unlikely to have family members involved in their care.
• D. The unique skin pigmentation of Native Americans/First Nations people means that I will have to modify my assessment techniques.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Diabetes, hypertension, and stroke are all higher than average in Native American/First Nations adults. Lung and oral cancers are not noted to have a higher prevalence and family is likely to be involved in the care of these older adults. The skin tone of Native American/First Nations people is not noted to require specific assessment techniques. The Native American population may have close family bonds.

2. Which of the following aspects of gerontological nursing would be most likely classified under private law?

• A. The regulation of who may call himself or herself a 'nurse'
• B. The contract between an older adult resident of a care facility and the owners of the facility
• C. The legal criteria for declaring an individual mentally incompetent
• D. The criminal consequences for instances of elder abuse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because private law deals with relationships between individuals and organizations, such as the contract between an individual and the care facility. Choices A, C, and D are not classified under private law. Choice A pertains to professional regulation and is a matter of public law. Choice C involves legal criteria and decision-making related to mental competence, falling under public law. Choice D concerns criminal consequences, which are also part of public law.

3. A nurse manager works in a setting where projections for the future include a more diverse ethnic mix of older adults. Which action will the nurse manager take?

• A. Recruit multilingual nurses.
• B. Request volunteers for the ethics committee.
• C. Develop nurses' cultural competence.
• D. Teach nurses about a variety of religious practices.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Nurses working in a setting with a diverse ethnic mix will need to exhibit cultural competence. Thus, the nurse manager should work to develop cultural competence in nursing staff. Developing nurses' cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the beliefs, values, and practices of different cultural groups, which is essential for providing effective care. Recruiting multilingual nurses could be beneficial, but cultural competence goes beyond language skills to encompass a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Teaching nurses about a variety of religious practices is important for a holistic approach to care, but focusing solely on religious practices may not fully address the diverse cultural needs of older adults. Ethical dilemmas may not be directly related to the projected increase in diversity, so requesting volunteers for the ethics committee does not directly address the need for cultural competence in caring for a more diverse ethnic mix of older adults.

4. An 81-year-old female client was diagnosed one year ago with Alzheimer's disease following a noticeable increase in confusion. She now possesses a durable power of attorney. Which of the following statements most accurately conveys an aspect of this legal arrangement?

• A. The parameters of the arrangement must be revisited if the client's condition declines.
• B. The arrangement was most likely initiated by court order.
• C. The client appointed someone to take care of her affairs in the event that she becomes incompetent.
• D. The family has control of logistical arrangements for the client but must gain court permission around financial affairs.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Usually, a power of attorney becomes invalid if the individual granting it becomes incompetent, except in the case of a durable power of attorney. A durable power of attorney allows competent individuals to appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf in the event that they become incompetent. This legal arrangement is recommended for individuals with conditions like Alzheimer's disease where competency decline can be anticipated. It is not initiated by the court, unlike guardianship. A durable power of attorney encompasses both logistical and financial affairs, providing authority to the appointed person to act on behalf of the individual should they become incapacitated. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the purpose and nature of a durable power of attorney in the context of planning for incompetency due to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

5. A gerontological nurse is providing care at a local community health center that serves large black American and white American older adult populations. The nurse is working to develop culturally appropriate programs to meet each group's health needs and notes differences in health status between the groups. Which reason would the nurse most likely identify as accounting for the differences between the populations?

• A. High incidence of violent crime and sexually transmitted diseases in the black population
• B. Reliance on family for health care advice and rejection of formal service agencies in the white population
• C. Cultural preference for unconventional medical treatments like herbal remedies in the white population
• D. Lower standard of living and less access to health care services in the black population

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Black older adults historically possess many health problems that have accumulated over a lifetime due to a poor standard of living and limited access to health care services. Option A is incorrect because it presents stereotypes about the black population that are not supported by evidence. Option B is incorrect because it generalizes the behavior of the white population without a strong basis. Option C is incorrect as it also generalizes the white population and does not address the disparities in health status between the two groups.

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