Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why Answer D is correct: 1. Ensures patient safety: RN should only accept assignments they are qualified for to provide safe care. 2. Upholds professional standards: Accepting only familiar assignments aligns with nursing scope of practice. 3. Legal and ethical responsibility: RN must prioritize patient well-being over external pressures. 4. Promotes personal growth: RN can seek additional training for unfamiliar assignments. Summary: - A: Incorrect. Accepting based on power dynamics disregards patient safety and professional ethics. - B: Incorrect. Patient safety should be the primary concern over workload. - C: Incorrect. Past handling may not guarantee appropriateness. Focus should be on personal qualification.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct because it highlights a significant issue related to patient safety - medication errors caused by delayed shift reports. This creates a legitimate concern for nurses regarding the effectiveness of communication and ultimately patient care. Seeking unionization could be a way for nurses to address this issue collectively. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on physician coverage rather than nurse concerns. - Choice B is incorrect as it addresses staffing and scheduling but does not directly relate to nurses seeking unionization. - Choice D is incorrect as it describes a collaborative care approach, which does not necessarily indicate a need for unionization among nurses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because denying the older person with Alzheimer's disease the right to ambulate violates their autonomy by restricting their freedom to make choices about their own body and movement. Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects an individual's right to make decisions about their own health and well-being. In this situation, the person should have the autonomy to decide whether or not they want to ambulate, even if they have advanced Alzheimer's disease. Choice B is incorrect because the mentally competent adult has the right to refuse medical treatment based on their beliefs, which is an expression of autonomy. Choice C is incorrect because the mentally competent visitor has the right to refuse examination, which is also an expression of autonomy. Choice D is incorrect because the mentally competent adult has the right to refuse a local anesthetic, which is also an expression of autonomy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: The correct answer is A because nurses now face challenges in coordinating care for a more diverse aging population. This is due to the increasing complexity of health issues and values among this demographic. Step 2: As the aging population grows, nurses must be equipped to address the unique needs and preferences of diverse individuals, which requires a deep understanding of cultural, social, and health-related factors. Step 3: Nurses need to adapt their care delivery strategies to provide patient-centered care that considers the individual's values, beliefs, and preferences. This includes coordinating care across different healthcare settings and disciplines to ensure holistic and effective care. Summary: Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific challenges faced by nurses graduating now, which primarily revolve around managing the complexities of caring for a diverse aging population with varying health values.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Acknowledge the clinical expertise of the upset nurse - This shows respect for the upset nurse's experience and expertise. Step 2: Clearly explain the expectations for teamwork - Setting clear expectations fosters a collaborative environment. Step 3: Emphasize open, honest communication - Encouraging open dialogue helps address concerns and build trust among the team. Overall, option D is the best approach as it combines acknowledging the upset nurse's expertise, setting expectations for teamwork, and promoting open communication, which are crucial for gaining trust and respect among the nursing staff. Summary of other choices: A: Sending memos excludes the upset nurse and may create further resentment. B: Transferring the upset nurse does not address the issue and may lead to more conflict. C: Assigning the upset nurse to unrelated committees may isolate them and not address the underlying problem of lack of trust and respect on the unit.