Nursing Elites

1. Cultural diversity presents an important challenge to nurse managers due to which of the following?

• A. A nursing shortage exists
• B. Staff nurses are not trained to be culturally sensitive
• C. 80% of nursing staff comes from one or more minority groups
• D. The increase in cultural diversity is seen both in the patient population and the nursing staff

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cultural diversity presents an important challenge to nurse managers due to the increase in cultural diversity seen both in the patient population and the nursing staff. This challenge requires nurse managers to ensure that their nursing staff can effectively communicate and provide culturally competent care to patients from diverse backgrounds. Choice A is incorrect because it does not directly relate to the impact of cultural diversity. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the training of staff nurses rather than the overall challenge of managing cultural diversity. Choice C is incorrect as the percentage of nursing staff from minority groups, while important, is not the primary reason cultural diversity poses a challenge to nurse managers.

2. 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.

3. During a discussion about the nursing profession at a middle school, which of the following statements is true?

• A. Nurses need to graduate from nursing school to earn a degree.
• B. Nursing is a profession that values continuous education.
• C. Nurses function autonomously within their scope of practice.
• D. Nurses must adhere to professional behaviors in all aspects of their lives.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Nurses are healthcare professionals who can independently make decisions within their defined scope of practice, providing care to patients. This autonomy allows nurses to assess, diagnose, plan, intervene, and evaluate patient care without direct supervision from physicians. Choice A is incorrect because nurses need to graduate from nursing school to earn a degree, not necessarily to obtain a license. Choice B is incorrect because while continuous education is important in nursing, it is not a defining characteristic of the profession. Choice D is incorrect because while nurses are expected to adhere to professional behaviors, it is not limited to their professional lives but extends to their personal lives as well.

4. The manager of a medical-surgical unit is very task-motivated. Using Fiedler's Contingency Theory, under what circumstances would the manager be most effective?

• A. Only during highly stressful situations.
• B. When there is little to no stress.
• C. Under highly structured situations.
• D. When the situation is loosely structured.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: According to Fiedler's Contingency Theory, task-motivated managers are most effective under highly structured situations. This is because in such environments, where priorities are clear and tasks are well-defined, task-oriented managers can excel in organizing and accomplishing objectives efficiently. Choices A and B are incorrect because the effectiveness of a task-motivated manager is not solely linked to stress levels but rather to the structure of the situation. Choice D is also incorrect as a loosely structured situation would not provide the clarity and direction that a task-motivated manager thrives in.

5. After discussing alternatives to dressing change procedures to minimize discomfort, the nursing staff accepted a new procedure. This is an example of which stage of Havelock's model of change?

• A. Moving
• B. Self-renewal
• C. Refreezing
• D. Unfreezing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Moving. In the moving stage of Havelock's model of change, the focus is on selecting a solution or alternative. In this scenario, the nursing staff accepting a new procedure after discussing alternatives aligns with the moving stage, where the decision to adopt a change is made. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Self-renewal refers to personal growth, refreezing involves stabilizing the change, and unfreezing is related to preparing for change, none of which directly correspond to the situation described in the question.

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