Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary goal of evidence-based practice (EBP)?

• A. Reduce healthcare costs
• B. Improve patient outcomes
• C. Enhance clinical decision making
• D. Ensure patient safety

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of evidence-based practice (EBP) is to enhance clinical decision making by integrating the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. While improving patient outcomes is a significant result of EBP, the ultimate aim is to ensure that healthcare decisions are based on the most current, relevant, and reliable evidence. While reducing healthcare costs and ensuring patient safety are important in healthcare, they are not the primary goals of evidence-based practice.

2. A nurse recognizes which of the following as a primary goal of nursing?

• A. Assist patients to achieve a peaceful death.
• B. Improve personal knowledge and skills to enhance patient outcomes.
• C. Advocate for quality of life over the quantity of life.
• D. Work to control costs to enhance patients' quality of life.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Assist patients to achieve a peaceful death.' One of the primary goals of nursing is to help patients experience a comfortable and peaceful passing when faced with terminal illness or at the end of life. This involves providing holistic care, managing symptoms, and ensuring that patients are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while improving knowledge and skills, advocating for quality of life, and controlling costs are important aspects of nursing care, they are not the primary goal related to end-of-life care.

3. Politics is defined as the art of influencing the allocation of scarce resources. An example of a scarce resource allocated by the manager of a patient care unit is:

• A. Raises for the staff.
• B. Patient supplies in the utility room.
• C. Staffing that minimizes overtime.
• D. Paper for the printer.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a healthcare setting, scarce resources can include money, time, personnel, and materials. Staffing decisions directly impact the allocation of personnel resources and can affect overtime costs, making it a critical resource managed by the unit manager. Patient supplies in the utility room and paper for the printer are important, but staffing decisions have a more direct impact on resource allocation within the unit. Raises for staff are typically granted by the institution and are not directly controlled by the unit manager.

4. Which of the following best describes the role of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?

• A. Direct patient care provider
• B. Administrator of healthcare facilities
• C. Consultant for nursing staff
• D. Policy maker in healthcare organizations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) serves as a consultant for nursing staff, providing expert advice and guidance on clinical practice. Choice A, 'Direct patient care provider,' is incorrect as CNS typically focus more on education, research, and consultation rather than direct patient care. Choice B, 'Administrator of healthcare facilities,' is incorrect as this role is usually fulfilled by nurse administrators or nurse managers. Choice D, 'Policy maker in healthcare organizations,' is incorrect as policy-making roles are typically held by individuals in healthcare administration or government positions.

5. Monitoring the number of times a medication is given utilizing the 'five rights' is an example of which phase of the Six Sigma program?

• A. Measure
• B. Management
• C. Quantitative
• D. Goal

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the Six Sigma program, the 'Measure' phase focuses on monitoring and measuring processes to ensure they meet the desired standards. This includes tracking the number of times a medication is given correctly using the 'five rights' principle. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, 'Management,' does not specifically relate to monitoring processes or data collection, so it is not the correct answer. Choice C, 'Quantitative,' refers to the use of numerical data in decision-making, which is a broader concept and not specific to monitoring processes within the Six Sigma framework. Choice D, 'Goal,' is too general and does not capture the specific phase of Six Sigma that involves monitoring and measuring processes.

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