Nursing Elites

1. How do accrediting agencies such as the Joint Commission ensure quality care?

• A. Imposing maximum staffing levels
• B. Stipulating nurse-patient ratios
• C. Confirming delivery of satisfactory care
• D. Requiring a specific staff mix

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Accrediting agencies such as the Joint Commission primarily focus on confirming the delivery of satisfactory care rather than imposing specific staffing levels, nurse-patient ratios, or staff mix. They do not dictate the exact staffing levels or ratios but rather evaluate if the care provided meets established quality standards. While adequate staffing levels and appropriate nurse-patient ratios are essential for quality care, accrediting agencies like the Joint Commission assess the outcomes and overall quality of care delivered by healthcare facilities.

2. Nurses and community officials are working together to ensure that churches and schools have needed supplies to provide shelter for a large number of individuals in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. These activities represent which phase of a disaster continuum?

• A. Crisis Intervention
• B. Preparedness
• C. Recovery
• D. Relief Response

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The scenario described in the question, where nurses and community officials are preparing churches and schools with supplies for potential disaster situations, falls under the Preparedness phase of a disaster continuum. Preparedness involves planning, organizing, and equipping to handle potential disasters before they occur. This phase aims to enhance the readiness of individuals, organizations, and systems to respond effectively when a disaster strikes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the activities of preparing for a disaster before it happens; Crisis Intervention deals with immediate response during or after a disaster, Recovery focuses on rebuilding and restoring after a disaster, and Relief Response involves providing immediate assistance in the aftermath of a disaster.

3. In a system of care delivery in which RNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel implement specific tasks like medication administration or personal hygiene for the entire nursing unit, what term describes this type of delivery system?

• A. Primary nursing
• B. Team nursing
• C. Functional nursing
• D. Total patient care

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Functional nursing is a care delivery model where tasks are divided among team members based on their respective roles. In this system, RNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel are assigned specific tasks to carry out for the entire nursing unit, such as medication administration or personal hygiene duties. The other choices are incorrect: A) Primary nursing involves one nurse being responsible for all aspects of care for a group of patients, B) Team nursing involves a team of healthcare providers working together to provide care for a group of patients, and D) Total patient care refers to one nurse being responsible for all aspects of care for one patient.

4. A healthcare professional walks into the nurse's station and sees several staff members looking at the electronic medical record for a celebrity client on another unit. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take first?

• A. remind the staff members that this is a breach of confidentiality
• B. discuss the issue with the unit manager
• C. request that an administrative restriction be placed on the client's medical access
• D. prepare a report for the facility ethics committee

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the healthcare professional to take first is to remind the staff members that accessing the electronic medical record of a celebrity client from another unit is a breach of confidentiality. This immediate action addresses the ethical and legal issue at hand, emphasizing the importance of patient confidentiality and privacy. Discussing the issue with the unit manager, requesting administrative restrictions, or preparing a report for the facility ethics committee can be considered after addressing the initial breach and reminding staff members of their obligations.

5. In a unionized hospital, nurses receive compensatory pay for working holidays based on the hours worked with no extra compensation. Despite management refusing to consider changes to the compensatory pay system suggested by nurses during the annual employee satisfaction survey, a trend member listened to both parties and made non-legally binding recommendations. What is this type of settlement known as?

• A. Collective bargaining
• B. Mediation
• C. Grievance
• D. Binding arbitration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mediation involves a neutral third party who assists in resolving disputes by providing non-legally binding recommendations. In this scenario, the trend member acted as a mediator by listening to both nurses and management and offering suggestions without the authority to enforce them as a legally binding decision. Collective bargaining refers to negotiations between labor unions and employers to determine terms of employment. Grievance is a formal complaint by an employee against an employer. Binding arbitration involves a neutral third party making a final and legally binding decision to resolve a dispute.

Similar Questions