Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Informatics. Nurses on the orthopedic unit are demonstrating informatics competency by using PDAs for medication review and accessing video clips for procedures. This showcases their ability to utilize technology to enhance patient care. Patient-centered care (A) focuses on individualized care, teamwork (C) emphasizes collaboration, and quality improvement (D) pertains to enhancing processes. The use of technology in this scenario aligns most closely with the informatics competency, making it the best choice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rogers' science of unitary human beings. Martha Rogers' theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and the environment, showing how individuals are unified with their surroundings. This theory serves as the foundation for nursing science by focusing on the holistic nature of individuals and their environment, aligning with the core principles of nursing practice. Rogers' theory guides nurses in understanding the interconnectedness of human beings and their environment, shaping the way nursing care is delivered. Summary of other choices: B: Nightingale's theory of practice focuses on environmental factors and cleanliness in healthcare settings, but it does not provide the comprehensive framework for nursing science. C: Watson's theory of human caring emphasizes the importance of caring in nursing, but it does not serve as the fundamental basis for nursing science. D: King's theory of goal attainment emphasizes goal setting and achieving outcomes in nursing care, but it does not lay the foundational principles for nursing science.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Zero-based. Zero-based budgeting requires starting from scratch each budget cycle, meaning all expenses must be justified regardless of previous budgets. In this scenario, the nurse managers are planning for a budget based on the expectation of lower patient census due to the economic slowdown. This aligns with the zero-based approach as they will need to re-evaluate and justify all expenses to accommodate the changes in patient volume. A: Incremental budgeting involves making adjustments to the previous budget, which is not suitable for significant changes like a decrease in patient census. C: Productivity metrics focus on measuring efficiency and performance, rather than the budgeting approach. D: Capital budgeting is related to long-term investments in assets, which is not the primary focus in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical principle that focuses on maximizing overall well-being and minimizing harm. In this scenario, the decision to provide extended care to the two critical individuals with life-threatening injuries aligns with utilitarianism as it prioritizes saving the most lives and reducing suffering. By choosing to allocate resources to those with the most severe injuries, the healthcare providers are aiming to maximize the overall benefit to society. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Deontology focuses on following rules and duties regardless of the consequences. In this case, the decision to provide care based on severity of injuries goes against a strict deontological approach. C: Autonomy emphasizes respecting individuals' rights to make their own decisions about their care, which is not the primary consideration in this scenario. D: Veracity pertains to honesty and truthfulness in communication, which is not directly relevant to the decision-making process in this healthcare scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Delegating to peers." This response shows self-awareness and willingness to improve by acknowledging a common weakness for novice nurses - difficulty in delegating tasks to peers. It demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow in the role. A: "I have no weaknesses." - This answer lacks self-awareness and does not show a willingness to improve. It comes across as overconfident. B: "Are you trying to set me up?" - This response is defensive and unprofessional. It does not address the question directly. D: "Caring requires weakness." - This answer is vague and does not provide a specific weakness or show a proactive approach to self-improvement.