Contemporary Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: planned variances. Organizations compare actual revenues and expenditures to planned variances to measure budget effectiveness. Planned variances show the differences between the budgeted amounts and the actual results, highlighting areas of over or underperformance. This analysis helps organizations identify reasons for deviations and adjust future budgets accordingly. Explanation for other choices: B: Incremental budgets focus on adjusting previous budgets by a fixed amount, not on comparing actual versus planned amounts. C: Productivity metrics measure the efficiency of resources used, not specifically related to budget effectiveness. D: Expected performance is a vague term that does not directly address comparing actual versus planned financial data.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Simulation experiences. This intervention allows healthcare professionals to practice real-life scenarios in a controlled environment, improving skills and decision-making. It helps identify and address potential errors before they occur, enhancing patient safety. Other choices lack the hands-on, practical approach of simulations and may not adequately prepare professionals for real-world situations. Simulation experiences are crucial for enhancing clinical competence and reducing medical errors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the ethical principle that actions should be chosen based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, implementing hypertension screening and treatment for a community where most residents are hypertensive aligns with utilitarianism as it aims to benefit the greatest number of people by improving their health outcomes. This decision focuses on the overall good of the community, making it the most ethical choice. Rationale for why other choices are incorrect: A: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. While honesty is important in healthcare decision-making, it is not the primary factor in this scenario. B: Values refer to personal beliefs and principles. While values may influence decision-making, the primary focus in this scenario is on maximizing community health outcomes. D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions. While autonomy is important in healthcare, it is not the guiding principle in this scenario where the focus is

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Define effectiveness and efficiency - Effectiveness is achieving the intended outcome, while efficiency is achieving the outcome with minimal waste. Step 2: Analyze option A - It correctly defines effectiveness as performing the correct test or intervention and efficiency as the wise use of supplies and resources for the desired outcome. Step 3: Justification - The nurse explains that many healthcare providers lack effectiveness, indicating they are not achieving the desired outcomes, which aligns with the definition of effectiveness in option A. Step 4: Summary of incorrect choices - B incorrectly defines efficiency as quick completion of tasks, C confuses efficiency with wastage, and D incorrectly associates efficiency with speed rather than minimal waste.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreasing the number of patients cared for on a specific unit can improve patient outcomes by allowing nurses to provide more individualized care, reduce workload stress, and prevent errors. Staffing only 8-hour shifts (A) may not address the root cause of patient outcomes. Increasing salaries for experienced nurses (C) may improve retention but does not directly impact patient care. Increasing staffing on the evening shift (D) may help with workload distribution but does not address the overall patient load issue.