Nursing Elites

1. What is the main purpose of the NCLEX examination?

• A. Ensure that individuals have passed nursing classes.
• B. Provide assurance that nursing schools are part of the service agency.
• C. Enable potential students to determine the best nursing schools.
• D. Ensure the safety of the public.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The main purpose of the NCLEX examination is to ensure the safety of the public by determining if candidates have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective nursing care. Choice A is incorrect as the exam evaluates if individuals are ready to begin nursing practice, not just passed classes. Choice B is incorrect as the exam is not related to the affiliation of nursing schools with service agencies. Choice C is incorrect as the exam is not designed to help potential students choose the best nursing schools, but rather to assess individual readiness for nursing practice to protect public safety.

2. Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy?

• A. Administering vaccinations
• B. Performing a surgical procedure
• C. Teaching healthy lifestyle choices
• D. Prescribing medication

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering vaccinations is indeed an example of a primary prevention strategy. Primary prevention aims to prevent the occurrence of a disease or injury before it occurs by targeting the entire population or specific high-risk groups. Vaccinations help prevent the initial development of a disease by enhancing immunity against specific pathogens. Choices B, C, and D are not examples of primary prevention strategies. Performing a surgical procedure (Choice B) is a treatment intervention, not a preventive measure. Teaching healthy lifestyle choices (Choice C) falls under health promotion and education, which is more aligned with secondary prevention. Prescribing medication (Choice D) is typically associated with treatment rather than preventing the initial onset of a disease.

3. During a physical assessment of adult clients, which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

• A. Use the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) pain rating scale for a client experiencing pain.
• B. Palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds.
• C. Ensure the bladder of the blood pressure cuff surrounds 80% of the client's arm.
• D. Obtain an apical heart rate by auscultating at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When performing a physical assessment, it is essential to palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds. This sequence helps prevent altering bowel sound results due to the pressure applied during palpation. Choice A is incorrect because the FLACC pain rating scale is typically used for nonverbal or pediatric clients, not adults. Choice C is incorrect because the bladder of the blood pressure cuff should surround about 80% of the client's arm circumference, not the bladder of the cuff itself. Choice D is incorrect because to obtain an apical heart rate, auscultation should be done at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line, not at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

4. Quality management and benchmarking are two approaches used to improve the quality of care. The major difference between these two approaches is which of the following?

• A. Quality management is not useful in the outpatient setting
• B. Benchmarking compares outcomes in a variety of settings and disciplines
• C. Quality management is used only in the primary care setting
• D. Benchmarking looks only at outcomes specific to nursing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The major difference between quality management and benchmarking is that benchmarking compares outcomes in a variety of settings and disciplines. Choice A is incorrect because quality management can be applied in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Choice C is incorrect as quality management is not limited to primary care and can be implemented across various healthcare settings. Choice D is incorrect as benchmarking does not solely focus on nursing outcomes but rather compares outcomes across different disciplines and settings.

5. The problem of overrating staff performance is called ___________ .

• A. Recency error
• B. Absolute judgment
• C. Halo error
• D. Leniency error

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Leniency error.' Leniency error occurs when a manager tends to overrate staff performance, giving higher ratings than deserved. Choice A, 'Recency error,' refers to the tendency to focus only on recent behaviors or events when evaluating performance. Choice B, 'Absolute judgment,' is not directly related to overrating staff performance; it refers to making evaluations without considering the context or comparison points. Choice C, 'Halo error,' involves allowing one positive aspect of an individual to overshadow other factors in performance evaluation, which is different from overrating overall staff performance.

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