Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Uniform Health Care Decisions Act. This act mandates hospitals to inquire if clients have a living will or durable power of attorney to ensure patients' healthcare wishes are honored. A: Emergency Treatment and Active Labor Law pertains to emergency care. B: Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on discrimination against individuals with disabilities. D: Doctrine of res ipsa loquitur involves negligence cases where the injury speaks for itself. Therefore, the correct choice is C as it directly addresses the requirement for hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because when a nurse manager conducts a qualitative analysis of budget variances, they need to reconcile the underlying assumptions on which the budget was based with current conditions. This involves reviewing the initial budget assumptions to see if they still hold true and adjusting them accordingly. This step ensures that the budget remains relevant and accurate. A is incorrect because determining the percentage increase of supply usage does not involve a qualitative analysis of budget variances. B is incorrect because identifying the overall increase in the dollar amount of salaries paid for overtime is a quantitative analysis, not qualitative. C is incorrect because comparing productivity metrics across nursing units is a different type of analysis and not specifically related to budget variances.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A: Correct. Nurses with different education levels (e.g., associate vs. bachelor's degree) have varied scope of practice. BSN-prepared nurses typically have a broader scope compared to ADN-prepared nurses. B: Incorrect. Nursing licenses can be revoked or suspended for various reasons such as misconduct or negligence. C: Incorrect. Nurse practice acts outline licensure requirements, but not specifically for initial licensure. D: Incorrect. States may inquire about the mental or physical status of applicants to ensure they are fit to practice safely.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Beneficence. Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to act in the best interest of the client and to do good. In this scenario, the nurse is not acting in the best interest of the client by withholding the prescribed medication for personal gain. This action goes against the principle of beneficence as it is causing harm to the client by denying them the necessary pain relief. Summary: A: Autonomy is the right of the client to make their own decisions, which is not the main issue in this scenario. B: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good for the greatest number of people, which is not directly applicable here. D: Dilemmas do not represent a specific ethical principle being violated in this situation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a compact state, the mutual recognition model allows nurses to practice across state lines without obtaining additional licenses. This model ensures that patients' rights are protected by requiring nurses to adhere to the nurse practice act of the state where the patient is located. This promotes nursing mobility while maintaining regulatory standards. A is incorrect because nurses must follow the nurse practice act of the state where they are practicing, not necessarily the largest state. C is incorrect because nurses do not have to pay for a license in all participating states under the mutual recognition model. D is incorrect because the nurse practice act outlines the scope of practice, not necessarily the list of skills that can be performed across state lines.