what is the primary role of a nurse mentor

ATI RN

ATI Leadership

1. What is the primary role of a nurse mentor?

A. To supervise nursing staff
B. To provide emotional support
C. To guide new nurses in their roles
D. To enforce policy compliance

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary role of a nurse mentor is to guide new nurses in their roles. This involves providing support, sharing knowledge and expertise, offering guidance for professional development, and assisting new nurses in adjusting to their roles and responsibilities. Option A, supervising nursing staff, is more aligned with a nurse manager's responsibilities rather than a mentor's. Option B, providing emotional support, is a part of the mentorship role but not the primary focus. Option D, enforcing policy compliance, is essential but not the primary role of a mentor, as mentoring focuses more on nurturing and developing new nurses.

2. The changes brought forth by the state boards of nursing are an example of which type of change agent?

A. Resistance
B. Empirical–rational
C. Normative–reeducative
D. Power–coercive

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The changes implemented by state boards of nursing typically fall under the category of Power–coercive change agents. State boards of nursing have the authority to enforce changes through regulations and policies, making use of their legitimate power. Resistance (choice A) is not the correct answer as it refers to opposition to change rather than the entity driving change. Empirical–rational (choice B) focuses on convincing individuals through empirical evidence and rational arguments, which is not reflective of the state boards' authority. Normative–reeducative (choice C) involves persuading individuals to change based on shared values and beliefs, which is not the primary approach of state boards of nursing.

3. What is the primary role of the nurse manager in risk management?

A. Ensure compliance with regulations
B. Report incidents to higher authorities
C. Minimize risks to patients and staff
D. Educate staff about safe practices

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Minimize risks to patients and staff. Nurse managers play a crucial role in risk management by identifying potential risks, implementing strategies to reduce or eliminate these risks, and ensuring a safe environment for patients and staff. Choice A is incorrect because while ensuring compliance with regulations is important, the primary role of the nurse manager in risk management is to minimize risks. Choice B is incorrect as reporting incidents is part of risk management but not the primary role of a nurse manager. Choice D is also a responsibility of nurse managers, but educating staff about safe practices is not the primary focus when it comes to risk management.

4. 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 rather than quantity of life.
D. Work to control costs to enhance patients' quality of life.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary goal of nursing is to promote health, prevent illness, alleviate suffering, and care for the sick. Assisting patients to achieve a peaceful death is an essential aspect of nursing care, ensuring dignity and comfort in the end-of-life phase. While improving personal knowledge and advocating for quality of life are important aspects of nursing, the primary goal remains the well-being and comfort of patients, even in death. Working to control costs, while a consideration in healthcare, is not the primary goal of nursing, which is centered on patient care and well-being.

5. Which of the following behaviors would be an early warning sign that you are not handling job stress in a healthy way?

A. Focusing excessively on patient outcomes
B. Needing to spend more time alone
C. Juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities
D. Awakening in the morning feeling unrested

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Awakening in the morning feeling unrested can be an early warning sign that you are not handling job stress in a healthy way. This may indicate that the stress is impacting your quality of sleep, which is essential for managing stress and maintaining overall well-being. Choices A, B, and C are not necessarily indicative of unhealthy stress management. Focusing excessively on patient outcomes may show dedication to work, needing to spend more time alone could be a personal preference, and juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities could be a common challenge that many individuals face.