Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A - Negligence Rationale: 1. Negligence is the failure to provide the standard of care resulting in harm to the patient. 2. The nurse failed to report a significant change in the patient's condition, breaching the duty of care. 3. The increase in blood pressure could lead to serious complications, indicating the severity of negligence. Summary: B: Assault - Involves intentional threat or harm, not applicable in this scenario. C: Defamation of character - Involves false statements damaging reputation, not relevant in the context of patient care. D: Tort - A broader legal term encompassing various civil wrongs, but negligence is a specific type of tort applicable here.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: The correct answer is A because statistics show that currently, less than half of all registered nurses work in hospital settings, with the majority working in community, home health, long-term care, and other non-hospital settings. This information is supported by recent workforce studies and trends in nursing practice. Summary of other choices: B: The average age for an RN is not necessarily 50 years, as there is a wide range of ages among RNs, with many entering the profession at younger ages. C: Approximately 25% of RNs are male, which is a significant proportion but does not encompass the majority of the nursing workforce. D: While the number of RNs with bachelor's degrees is increasing, the majority of RNs still do not hold a bachelor's degree as their highest level of education.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: increased technology in the field of critical care. This trend is shaping nursing education and practice by improving patient care, enhancing efficiency, and requiring nurses to adapt to new technologies. The advancements in critical care technology have revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered and have become essential in providing high-quality patient care. This trend highlights the importance of nurses staying current with the latest technologies to deliver optimal care. Choice B is incorrect because there is actually an expanding scope of practice for nurses as they take on more responsibilities and roles in healthcare. Choice C is incorrect as incivility and disregard of others' rights would not be considered a major trend shaping nursing education and practice. Choice D is incorrect as international programs increasing diversity in nursing education and practice would not result in a decrease in ethnicity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: decontamination. Decontamination is the process of removing harmful chemicals from equipment and supplies to prevent further exposure and contamination. In this scenario, the disaster medical assistance team is working to contain contaminants first and then proceed with decontamination to ensure the safety of personnel. Containment (choice A) refers to preventing the spread of contaminants, not removing them. Triage (choice C) is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries, not removing chemicals. Scene assessment (choice D) involves evaluating the situation to determine the extent of the disaster, not the removal of harmful chemicals.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: MEDLINE database. MEDLINE is a reputable database that provides access to a vast array of peer-reviewed medical literature, making it an excellent resource for scholarly publications. Here's the rationale: 1. Credibility: MEDLINE contains high-quality, peer-reviewed articles from reputable medical journals, ensuring the information obtained is reliable and accurate. 2. Specificity: The database is focused on medical research, including studies on hepatitis A, providing targeted and relevant information for the nurse's publication. 3. Efficiency: Search results in MEDLINE are organized and easily accessible, allowing the nurse to efficiently gather information without sifting through irrelevant sources. 4. Up-to-date: MEDLINE is regularly updated with the latest research findings, ensuring the nurse has access to the most current information on hepatitis A. In summary, using MEDLINE is the best choice for the nurse as it offers credible, specific, efficient, and up-to-date information compared to the other options.