Chapter 1. Nursing Today

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Contemporary nursing practice is based on knowledge generated through nursing theories.

Florence Nightingales theory introduced the concept that nursing care focuses on:

1 Psychological needs

2 A maximal level of wellness

3 Health maintenance and restoration

4 Interpersonal interactions with the client

ANS: 3

Florence Nightingale believed the role of the nurse was to put the clients body in the best state in

order to remain free of disease or to recover from disease.

Although Florence Nightingale may have addressed meeting the psychological needs of her

clients, it is not the focus of her theory. The goal of Nightingales theory is to facilitate the bodys

reparative processes by manipulating the clients environment.

Florence Nightingale thought the human body had reparative properties of its own if it was cared

for in a way to recover from disease. Her theory did not focus on achieving a maximal level of

wellness.

Florence Nightingale believed the nurse was in charge of the clients health. Although she

interacted with her clients by reading to them, her theory of nursing care did not focus upon

interpersonal interactions.

DIF: A REF: 2 OBJ: Knowledge

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

2. Nursing education programs in the United States may seek voluntary accreditation by the

appropriate accrediting commission council of the:

1 National League for Nursing

2 American Nurses Association

3 Congress for Nursing Practice

4 International Council of Nurses

ANS: 1

The National League for Nursing (NLN) is the professional nursing organization concerned with

nursing education. The NLN provides accreditation to nursing programs that seek and meet the

NLN accreditation requirements.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is concerned with the nursing profession and issues

affecting health care, including standards of care.

The Congress for Nursing Practice is the part of the ANA concerned with determining the legal

aspects of nursing practice, the public recognition of the importance of nursing, and the impact

of trends in health care on nursing practice.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is concerned about issues of health care and the

nursing profession, including the provision of an international power base for nurses.

DIF: A REF: 8 OBJ: Knowledge

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

3. The minimum educational requirement for a nurse practitioner is:

1 Diploma in nursing

2 Masters in nursing

3 Doctorate in nursing

4 Baccalaureate in nursing

ANS: 2

A masters degree is nursing is required to become a nurse practitioner.

Diploma programs in nursing require 3 years of education after which the graduate may become

a registered nurse, but not a nurse practitioner.

Doctoral programs focus on the application of research findings to clinical practice. The doctoral

degree is beyond the masters degree.

The baccalaureate degree program generally requires 4 years of study in a college or university,

after which the graduate may become a registered nurse, not a nurse practitioner.

DIF: A REF: 8 OBJ: Knowledge

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

4. A group that lobbies at the state and federal level for advancement of nursings role, economic

interest, and health care is the:

1 State Board of Nursing

2 American Nurses Association

3 American Hospital Association

4 National Student Nurses Association

ANS: 2

The American Nurses Association (ANA) hires lobbyists at the state and federal level to promote

the advancement of health care and the economic and general welfare of nurses.

State Boards of Nursing primarily focus on licensure of nurses within their own state.

The American Hospital Association does not focus on nurses economic issues and the

advancement of the role of nurses.

The National Student Nurses Association focuses on issues of importance for nursing students.

DIF: A REF: 8 OBJ: Comprehension

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

5. A nurse moves from Seattle to Boston and begins working in a hospital. The most important

factor for the nurse to consider when moving to another state is the:

1 Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act

2 Standard for nursing practice in Boston

3 Clinical ladder of mobility in the new hospital

4 Requirement for continuing education units (CEU) in

Massachusetts

ANS: 1

Although most states have similar practice acts, each individual state has its own Nurse Practice

Act that regulates the licensure and practice of nursing within that state. Knowledge of the Nurse

Practice Act is necessary to provide safe and legal nursing care.

Standards of nursing practice are not specific to a city, but rather to the profession itself.

Although the clinical ladder of mobility may be of interest in regard to professional

advancement, it is not the most important factor when practicing nursing in another state.

Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act in order to provide safe and legal nursing care is of higher

importance.

Regardless of where a nurse practices, the nurse should strive to remain current.

DIF: C REF: 8 OBJ: Analysis

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

6. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic renal failure. The nurse states, We will do

everything possible to return you to the optimum level of self-care possible. In coordinating an

approach to best meet the needs of this client, the nurse is fulfilling the role of:

1 Manager

2 Educator

3 Counselor

4 Communicator

ANS: 1

The nurse, in caring for this client, will coordinate the activities of other members of the health

care team. This client may require the assistance of a nursing assistant to provide personal care

until the client is less fatigued. A nutritionist may be necessary for diet evaluation, planning, and

teaching. A nurse may provide education on the dialysis therapy and perform the skill necessary

until the client is able to do so independently.

The nurse may include patient teaching in the clients care, but more is required to meet the needs

of this client.

The nurse is not performing in the role of counselor.

Clear communication will be necessary for the client to understand self-care measures regarding

dialysis. The role of communicator does not, however, entirely meet the clients physical needs at

this time.

DIF: A REF: 10 OBJ: Comprehension

TOP: Nursing Process: Planning

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

7. Nurses have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of health care agencies around the

world. The practice setting where the majority of nurses continue to work is:

1 Acute care

2 Home care

3 Long-term care

4 Ambulatory care

ANS: 1

Most nurses provide direct client care in the hospital setting.

Although opportunities for providing patient care in the clients home are increasing, the majority

of nurses are not employed in this setting.

The majority of nurses do not work in nursing homes or extended care settings.

Significantly fewer nurses work in an ambulatory care setting.

DIF: A REF: 10 OBJ: Knowledge

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC: NCLEX test plan designation: Safe, Effective Care Environment/Coordinated Care

8. A client is receiving Dilantin to prevent seizure activity. To which allied health care

professional should the nurse refer this client in order to minimize the challenges this condition

creates?

1 Physical therapist

2 Physicians assistant

3 Respiratory therapist

4 Occupational therapist

ANS: 4

An occupational therapist is a person who provides assessment and intervention to ameliorate

physical and psychological deficits that interfere with the performance of activities and tasks of

living, including ones employment.

A physical therapist is responsible for the patients musculoskeletal system. A physical therapist

may use exercises as an intervention to improve a clients mobility