Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because pay for performance initiatives incentivize nurses to improve patient outcomes by reducing errors and following best practices. This directly links economic incentives to nursing practice. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG system primarily affects hospital reimbursement, not nursing shortages. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on the type of care, not the economic impact on nursing practice. Choice D is incorrect as economic factors like funding, resources, and reimbursement significantly influence nursing practice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the Palliative Performance Scale assesses functional status in palliative care. A patient with 70% normal function would have a score of 70 on the scale, indicating that they are still able to ambulate but with limitations due to their illness. Choice A is incorrect because inability to hold a job does not directly correlate with functional status. Choice B is incorrect as spending most of the day in bed suggests a lower level of functioning. Choice D is incorrect as being bed bound indicates a more severe impairment in function compared to a patient who can still ambulate with limitations.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because as a patient approaches death, the focus of palliative care shifts towards providing comfort and symptom management to improve their quality of life. Identifying and addressing the patient's comfort needs becomes crucial in ensuring a peaceful and dignified end-of-life experience. A: While discussing spiritual needs can be important, the primary focus shifts towards physical comfort in the final stages of life. B: Educating the patient about physical changes is important, but it may not be the priority as the focus shifts towards comfort care. C: Advance care planning is essential but may have already been addressed before the patient reaches the impending death stage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Understanding one's values: It is essential for the nurse to know their own values and how these impact their nursing practice. 2. Relationship to beliefs and nursing philosophy: Knowing one's values helps align with the ethical principles and philosophy of nursing. 3. Ethical decision-making: By understanding personal values, the nurse can make informed and ethical decisions in the care of the client. 4. Professional integrity: Being aware of personal values promotes professional integrity and ensures the nurse's actions are in line with ethical standards. Summary: - Option B is incorrect as the focus should be on understanding and reconciling one's values rather than eliminating them. - Option C is incorrect as ignoring one's values can lead to ethical dilemmas and compromise the quality of care. - Option D is incorrect as values are subject to change and can be influenced by various factors, including professional experiences and education.

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.