Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: scheduling daily activities. This is because positive time management skills involve planning and organizing tasks to effectively utilize time. By scheduling daily activities, individuals can prioritize tasks, set goals, and allocate time efficiently. This helps in achieving productivity and reducing stress. Choice A (maintaining an open-door policy) is incorrect as it pertains to communication style, not time management. Choice B (retaining all paperwork) is not directly related to time management but rather to organization. Choice C (returning all telephone calls immediately) is also not a direct indicator of effective time management as it focuses on communication responsiveness rather than overall time utilization.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Florence Nightingale. Occupational health nursing shares beliefs with Florence Nightingale as she emphasized the importance of proper sanitation, hygiene, and preventive care in nursing practice. Nightingale's focus on maintaining a healthy environment aligns with the core principles of occupational health nursing. Lillian Wald is known for her work in public health nursing, Clara Barton for founding the American Red Cross, and Mary Seacole for her contributions during the Crimean War. While these pioneers made significant contributions to nursing, their beliefs and focus areas differ from those of occupational health nursing.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because knowing the intensity of care needed by patients based on physical and psychosocial factors is essential to determine appropriate staffing levels. Understanding patient needs ensures adequate staff allocation for quality care delivery. Examining staff education (B) and skill level (C) is important but comes after assessing patient needs. Reviewing the budget (D) is necessary but should not be the first step in staffing planning.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the union of the nonstriking agency nurses is engaging in a sympathy strike to support their fellow nurses who are striking due to unsafe working conditions. A sympathy strike is legal as long as it is conducted correctly. In this case, the nonstriking agency nurses are showing solidarity with their colleagues to address the issue of unsafe staffing practices. Choice A is incorrect because the union's decision to support the striking nurses does not automatically expose them to a lawsuit. Choice B is incorrect as the union represents only one group of nurses, not both parties. Choice D is incorrect because there is no legal requirement for the union to pay for any losses incurred by the agency during the strike. Overall, the correct answer is C because it accurately reflects the union's action of participating in a sympathy strike to show support for the striking nurses.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: variance. In this scenario, the nurse manager planned a budget based on a patient census of 6 but the actual census remained constant at 10, leading to higher-than-planned RN staff salaries. The difference between the planned budget and the actual cost is known as a variance. Variances help identify discrepancies between planned and actual expenses, enabling managers to adjust budgets accordingly. Revenue (A) refers to income generated, not the difference between planned and actual expenses. Monitoring (C) is the process of overseeing and evaluating activities, not specifically related to budget discrepancies. Capital expenditures (D) are long-term investments in assets, not related to budget variances.