Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because waiting for the oncoming shift to start walking rounds is an external distractor that can affect time management. The nurse cannot control when the shift starts, leading to potential delays in task completion. Incorrect choices: B: Failure to delegate tasks is an internal issue, not an external distractor. C: Talking with a patient's family member who is a personal friend is a boundary issue, not necessarily an external distractor. D: Thinking about a vacation is also an internal distraction, not an external one. In summary, the correct answer focuses on an external factor that the nurse cannot directly control, affecting time management, while the other choices are related to internal issues or personal boundaries.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Time plot. A time plot is the most appropriate graph for displaying data over time to identify trends and patterns. In this scenario, plotting patient satisfaction levels monthly over a year allows the staff to analyze fluctuations and identify periods of greatest dissatisfaction accurately. Summary of other choices: B: Pareto chart - Pareto charts are used to display the frequency of occurrences in a dataset in descending order. It is not suitable for analyzing trends over time. C: Flowchart - Flowcharts are used to represent processes and workflows, not suitable for displaying time-series data. D: Cause-and-effect diagram - Cause-and-effect diagrams are used to identify and analyze potential causes of a problem, not suitable for displaying time-series data.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: increasing numbers of obese children and adults. This demographic change directly impacts the practice of nurses by requiring specialized care and interventions for obesity-related health issues. Nurses need to be equipped to address the unique needs of obese patients. A is incorrect because the growing percentage of adults ages 50 to 55 years does not necessarily impact nursing practice significantly. C is incorrect as changes in family structure do not directly affect nursing care. D is incorrect because social programs alone cannot eliminate poverty entirely and poverty remains a significant factor affecting healthcare access and outcomes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Rogers' science of unitary human beings. This theory emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and their environment as energy fields. Step 1: The nurse's belief that humans use creativity and critical thinking aligns with Rogers' theory of constant interaction with the environment through energy fields. Step 2: This theory views humans as holistic beings, emphasizing the balance and harmony between individuals and their surroundings. Step 3: Peplau's theory focuses more on interpersonal relations, Roy's on adaptation to stressors, and Orem's on self-care deficits, which are not directly related to the nurse's hypothesis. Therefore, Rogers' theory best fits the study's focus on the dynamic interaction between humans and their environment through creativity and critical thinking.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because "safe harbor" refers to a legal provision that protects nurses when they feel unsafe accepting a staffing assignment due to lack of recent experience or competency. By invoking safe harbor, nurses can continue caring for patients while an investigation is conducted to ensure patient safety and protect the nurse's license. This process allows nurses to voice concerns without fear of reprisal. Option A is incorrect as it refers to a disaster response plan, unrelated to safe harbor. Option B is incorrect as it discusses patient care teams and infectious diseases, not safe harbor protections. Option C is incorrect because it addresses reporting violence, which is not directly related to safe harbor provisions for staffing assignments.