Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their wrongful actions. In this case, the hospital's negligence in performing wrong site surgery resulted in harm to the client, even though the hospital reversed the charges. The court awarded $5 million to punish the hospital for their negligence, as the client suffered emotional distress and the potential risk of harm. The other choices are incorrect because: A: res ipsa loquitur is a legal doctrine used to shift the burden of proof from the plaintiff to the defendant in cases where the negligence is obvious. C: vicarious liability holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees, which is not directly applicable in this scenario. D: immunity refers to protection from legal liability, which is not relevant in a case where the court awarded monetary compensation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: disclosure. In this scenario, the physician shared information about the accidental lung puncture with the patient's family, demonstrating transparency and honesty. This aligns with the legal principle of disclosure, which emphasizes the importance of informing patients and their families about relevant medical information. The physician's actions foster trust and open communication, ensuring that the patient and family are informed about the situation. Choice A: comparative negligence, is incorrect because it involves assessing the degree of negligence by both parties involved, which is not applicable in this context. Choice B: gross negligence, is incorrect because the physician's actions do not demonstrate recklessness or a complete disregard for the patient's safety. Choice D: the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), is incorrect because this law primarily addresses the provision of emergency medical care and ensuring access to necessary services, not the disclosure of medical errors.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice B is correct: 1. Planning for tomorrow today allows the nurse to set clear goals and prioritize tasks in advance. 2. By planning ahead, the nurse can allocate time efficiently, reducing the feeling of overwhelm. 3. This approach fosters better organization and focus, enhancing productivity and task completion. 4. Planning helps in identifying potential obstacles and developing strategies to overcome them. 5. Ultimately, effective planning leads to better time management and a sense of accomplishment. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Focusing on activities rather than objectives can lead to a lack of direction and prioritization. C: Making the last hours most productive neglects the importance of consistent time management throughout the day. D: Maintaining a log of time spent can be helpful but does not address the proactive approach of planning ahead for better time management.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: socialization. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and adapt to the values, norms, and behaviors of a particular group, in this case, the nursing profession. In this scenario, the novice nurse is being introduced to the staff, assigned a preceptor, and asked to participate in a staff meeting, all of which are key components of the socialization process in nursing. A: Biculturalism refers to the coexistence of two distinct cultures within one society, which is not applicable in this context. C: Transition is the process of changing from one state to another, which is a broader concept than just the introduction to a new profession. D: "Going native" is a colloquial term that refers to adopting the lifestyle or customs of a foreign culture, which is not relevant to the scenario of a novice nurse being introduced to the nursing profession.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The novice nurse is demonstrating priority setting by asking about the consequences of not completing a task. This skill involves determining the most crucial tasks to be completed first based on their potential impact on patient outcomes. By understanding the implications of task completion, the nurse can effectively prioritize their workload. Delegation involves assigning tasks to others, organization involves arranging tasks in a systematic way, and clinical skills refer to the technical abilities in providing patient care. These skills are not directly demonstrated by the nurse's question about the consequences of task completion.