Contemporary Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: pathophysiology. This is because understanding pathophysiology is fundamental for a nurse to comprehend how diseases affect the body. It helps nurses provide appropriate care and make critical decisions. Incorrect choices: B focuses on documentation, C on medication knowledge, and D on technical skills, which are important but not as essential as understanding the physiological mechanisms of diseases.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing as a prerequisite for their advanced practice role. They then need to complete a master's or doctoral program in nurse anesthesia. This advanced education and training enable nurse anesthetists to provide anesthesia care in various healthcare settings. Incorrect answers: A: Speech therapists require a master's degree in speech-language pathology. B: Occupational therapists require a master's degree in occupational therapy. C: Nurse-midwives require a master's degree in nurse-midwifery or a related field. In summary, the minimum education requirement of a baccalaureate degree aligns with the role of a nurse anesthetist, making choice D the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial intervention for the nurse when working with the family of a patient receiving palliative care is to identify what types of help the family will need to care for the patient (Choice B). This is because understanding the family's needs and resources is essential for providing effective support. By identifying the specific types of assistance required, the nurse can tailor the care plan to meet the family's needs, enhancing the quality of care provided to the patient. Determining the patient's durable power of attorney (Choice A) is important but usually comes later in the process after understanding the family's needs. Completing an assessment of the family's strengths and weaknesses (Choice C) is valuable but not the initial step. Discussing the dynamics of the family with the patient (Choice D) may be relevant but is not the priority when initiating support for the family.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Right-to-work law. This law prohibits requiring union membership or payment of union fees as a condition of employment. The nurse can work in the unionized trauma center without being obligated to join or pay fees due to the provisions of the Right-to-work law. A: National Labor Relations Act - This act protects the rights of employees to join or form unions but does not specifically address the issue of mandatory union membership or fees. C: National Labor Relations Act - This is a duplicate choice. D: Taft-Hartley Act - This act regulates labor unions but does not specifically address the issue of mandatory union membership or fees.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). This classification system assigns a fixed price to specific diagnoses or procedures, such as pneumonia, for reimbursement purposes. DRGs aim to standardize payment based on patient diagnosis and treatment, promoting efficiency and cost containment in healthcare. B: Subjective symptom management is not a classification system for reimbursement but rather a method of addressing patient symptoms. C: Acuity classification system refers to determining the level of care a patient needs based on severity, not reimbursement. D: Organized managed care involves coordination of healthcare services and providers, not specific classification for reimbursement.