Contemporary Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because efforts to reduce healthcare expenditures do not necessarily impact the need for RNs, which remains stable. This is supported by the ongoing demand for nurses in various healthcare settings. Choice A is incorrect as the demand for RNs is generally high. Choice B is incorrect because job availability depends on various factors beyond just the location of the hospital. Choice D is incorrect as the need for nurses in acute care hospitals remains significant despite the shift towards outpatient and ambulatory settings.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreasing the number of patients cared for on a specific unit can improve patient outcomes by allowing nurses to provide more individualized care, reduce workload stress, and prevent errors. Staffing only 8-hour shifts (A) may not address the root cause of patient outcomes. Increasing salaries for experienced nurses (C) may improve retention but does not directly impact patient care. Increasing staffing on the evening shift (D) may help with workload distribution but does not address the overall patient load issue.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: planned variances. Organizations compare actual revenues and expenditures to planned variances to measure budget effectiveness. Planned variances show the differences between the budgeted amounts and the actual results, highlighting areas of over or underperformance. This analysis helps organizations identify reasons for deviations and adjust future budgets accordingly. Explanation for other choices: B: Incremental budgets focus on adjusting previous budgets by a fixed amount, not on comparing actual versus planned amounts. C: Productivity metrics measure the efficiency of resources used, not specifically related to budget effectiveness. D: Expected performance is a vague term that does not directly address comparing actual versus planned financial data.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the IOM competencies aim to improve healthcare by addressing both individual and system-based approaches. This is crucial as it recognizes that improving healthcare requires a comprehensive approach that involves changing both individual behaviors and systemic structures. A: Each competency is mutually exclusive - This is incorrect as the competencies are designed to work together, not in isolation. B: The competencies focus on individual efforts to reduce errors - This is incorrect as the competencies also emphasize the importance of systemic changes to prevent errors. C: Physicians lead the team to achieve each competency - This is incorrect as the competencies are meant to be achieved collaboratively by a multidisciplinary team, not solely led by physicians.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, completing a preceptorship with an advanced practice nurse. This experience allows the nursing student to directly work with and learn from a more experienced healthcare professional, gaining firsthand knowledge of interprofessional collaboration, communication, and teamwork. The preceptorship provides practical, real-world exposure to interprofessional team dynamics and allows for mentorship and guidance. A: Attending a seminar may provide theoretical knowledge but lacks the practical application and direct experience of working within a team. C: Caring for patients with varying medical diagnoses is important for developing clinical skills but may not specifically focus on interprofessional team participation. D: Presenting patient information at a meeting involves communication skills but does not offer the same level of hands-on experience in interprofessional teamwork as a preceptorship.