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ANCC NPD-BC Exam Questions
Page 3 of 20
41.
A nursing leader in a large hospital is working to improve patient satisfaction scores on their unit. According to contingency theory, which action should the leader prioritize to effectively enhance patient satisfaction?
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Assess the unit's unique environment, staff skill levels, and the nature of the tasks before deciding on a leadership style.
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Apply the same leadership style that was successful in a previous unit.
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Focus on improving technical skills among staff members.
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Implement a democratic leadership style in all situations, due to its universal effectiveness.
Correct answer: Assess the unit's unique environment, staff skill levels, and the nature of the tasks before deciding on a leadership style.
Contingency theory suggests that the effectiveness of a leadership style is contingent on the match between the leader's style, the characteristics of the followers, and the situation. Assessing the unit's unique attributes aligns with this approach.
Contingency theory emphasizes that there is no one best way to lead and that leadership effectiveness is based on the interplay between the leader's style and the situation. Applying the same style without considering specific needs is contrary to this theory. While improving technical skills is important, contingency theory emphasizes the need to match leadership style with the specific situation and needs of the group, not just focus on skill enhancement. Contingency theory argues against a "one size fits all" approach to leadership. According to this theoretical model, while a democratic style might be effective in some situations, it may not be the best choice in others.
42.
What is the primary purpose of implementing strong password policies in a healthcare information system?
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To protect patient data from unauthorized access.
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To facilitate access by making it easier for staff to remember their passwords.
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To ensure system compatibility across different devices.
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To increase the system's processing speed so delays in care can be avoided.
Correct answer: To protect patient data from unauthorized access.
Strong password policies are essential for safeguarding patient information from unauthorized access and enhancing data security.
Improving the ease of remembering passwords does not prioritize data security and makes it easier for unauthorized users to access information. System compatibility is related to software and hardware, not to password strength. Password policies do not affect the processing speed of the system.
43.
A small group of nursing staff is using a virtual meeting tool to collaborate on patient care plans. What feature is likely to be most important for effective collaboration in this context?
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Screen sharing capabilities
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Background blur or replacement features
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Emoji reactions
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Virtual hand-raising
Correct answer: Screen sharing capabilities
Screen sharing allows team members to view and discuss documents or data simultaneously, enhancing collaborative decision-making.
While background blur improves visual focus, it doesn't directly facilitate collaboration on care plans. Emoji reactions, while engaging, are not critical for detailed care plan collaboration. Although virtual hand-raising helps manage conversation flow, it is not as crucial as the ability to share and discuss care plans directly. Additionally, virtual hand-raising is less likely to add value when the group is smaller.
44.
A nurse leader is tasked with reducing the incidence of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) in a surgical unit. Which of the following actions demonstrates an effective change management strategy in addressing this issue?
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Engaging the surgical team in discussions and collaboratively developing a new sterilization protocol.
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Implementing a new sterilization protocol autonomously based on the latest industry standards.
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Autonomously organizing training for the surgical team on the new sterilization protocol.
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Postponing any changes to the sterilization protocol until there is unanimous agreement among all staff members.
Correct answer: Engaging the surgical team in discussions and collaboratively developing a new sterilization protocol.
Engaging the team in discussions allows for the identification of specific challenges and needs, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.
Implementing a new protocol without consulting the team can lead to resistance, as it disregards the expertise and experience of the surgical team members. Effective change management involves stakeholder engagement and buy-in. While training is important, mandating it without considering the team's input or how it fits into existing workflows can result in poor compliance and lack of ownership over the change process. While it's important to consider staff opinions, waiting for unanimous agreement can lead to inaction and may not be practical. Effective change management requires a balance between inclusivity and decisiveness.
45.
What is a primary ethical consideration when conducting telehealth services?
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Ensuring equitable access to telehealth services.
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Maximizing the number of patients seen per day.
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Prioritizing patients based on their technological skills.
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Prioritizing patients with high-speed internet connections.
Correct answer: Ensuring equitable access to telehealth services.
Equitable access ensures all patients, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to benefit from telehealth services.
While efficiency is important, the quality of care and ethical considerations should not be compromised for quantity. Prioritizing patients based on technological skills could exacerbate disparities. Focusing on patients with high-speed internet connections would neglect those in areas with poor connectivity, raising ethical concerns regarding access to care.
46.
An Electronic Health Record (EHR) alerts the healthcare team about a patient's allergy to penicillin. This is an example of which EHR functionality?
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Clinical decision support
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Clinical documentation
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Billing and coding
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Electronic medication administration record
Correct answer: Clinical decision support
The alert function within an EHR that notifies the healthcare team of critical patient information, like allergies, is a feature of clinical decision support systems, which are designed to enhance patient safety and care quality.
While clinical documentation is a key feature of EHRs, the specific action described relates more directly to using information in the system to support clinical decisions. Billing and coding functionalities are used for administrative purposes and do not directly contribute to patient safety alerts. The electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) feature of an EHR records information on medications that have been administered. The alert may be integrated with eMAR, but the feature better describes a clinical decision support.
47.
A nurse is conducting a literature review to find evidence-based practices on managing post-operative pain in elderly patients. Which source is most appropriate for finding the highest level of evidence?
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A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on post-operative pain management.
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A personal blog of a renowned surgeon discussing post-operative pain management strategies.
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An opinion article in a nursing magazine.
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A textbook on surgical nursing published two years ago.
Correct answer: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on post-operative pain management.
Systematic reviews, especially those that include randomized controlled trials, provide the highest level of evidence by synthesizing findings from multiple studies to offer comprehensive and reliable conclusions.
Personal blogs, even if written by experts, do not typically offer peer-reviewed evidence or comprehensive reviews of literature. Opinion articles may offer insights but lack the rigorous evaluation of research evidence. Textbooks, while useful for foundational knowledge, may not be up-to-date with the latest evidence-based practices and may vary in quality depending on the author and publisher.
48.
A nursing team is learning about new diabetes management protocols. The educator decides to use computer-assisted teaching methods. Which method would best evaluate the nurses' understanding of the material?
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A multiple-choice quiz at the end of an online module.
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An online forum where nurses can discuss the protocols.
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An email survey asking for feedback on the module.
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A virtual reality setup where nurses practice administering insulin.
Correct answer: A multiple-choice quiz at the end of an online module.
A quiz provides immediate feedback and clear metrics on the nurses' understanding of the material.
Online forums are great for discussion but not for assessing individual understanding of the protocols. While feedback is valuable, it does not directly assess understanding or retention of the material. Virtual reality is an excellent tool for practice but may not assess understanding comprehensively without embedded assessment tools, and typically includes significant barriers to adoption.
49.
A nurse manager is trying to implement a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in a pediatric clinic. According to contingency theory, which action should the nurse manager take to ensure successful implementation?
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Adapt the leadership style to the readiness and attitude of the staff toward the new EHR system.
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Strictly enforce the new system's use, overcoming staff feedback and resistance.
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Delegate the task of implementing the new system to the most tech-savvy staff member.
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Maintain a consistent leadership style regardless of staff feedback or the challenges encountered during implementation.
Correct answer: Adapt the leadership style to the readiness and attitude of the staff toward the new EHR system.
Contingency theory advocates for adjusting leadership style based on situational factors, including the staff's readiness and attitude toward change.
Imposing a system without considering staff feedback contradicts the principles of contingency theory, which emphasizes adapting to the situation and the needs of the group. While delegation is important, contingency theory would posit that successful implementation of a new system requires the nurse manager to lead adaptively, considering various situational factors, and not just delegate. Maintaining a consistent leadership style regardless of situational dynamics goes against the core concept of contingency theory, which promotes flexibility and responsiveness to the situation.
50.
A nurse leader is faced with a disagreement between two team members regarding the delegation of administrative responsibilities. Which leadership competency is most critical for them to employ to resolve this conflict effectively?
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Conflict resolution
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Technical skills
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Budget management
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Strategic planning
Correct answer: Conflict resolution
Conflict resolution directly addresses the need to manage and resolve differences between team members effectively.
While important, technical skills are not directly related to resolving interpersonal conflicts. Budget management is not relevant to resolving team conflicts. Strategic planning is more about long-term goals and does not directly address immediate interpersonal conflicts.
51.
A nurse educator is reviewing feedback from a recent CE-accredited program. Which of the following feedback points should be prioritized to enhance alignment with educational process standards for future programs?
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Suggestions for more interactive case studies related to the topics covered.
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Requests for more comfortable seating during sessions.
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Suggestions for a more passive method of instruction.
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Requests for a specific speaker to present.
Correct answer: Suggestions for more interactive case studies related to the topics covered.
Interactive case studies enhance engagement and practical understanding, directly contributing to educational effectiveness and alignment with Continuing Education (CE) standards.
Comfortable seating is important for physical ease but does not directly impact educational quality. A more passive method of instruction would not enhance educational effectiveness and alignment with CE standards. Requests for a specific speaker to present would not necessarily improve future programs and the results can be subjective.
52.
A nurse is reviewing literature to find evidence supporting the use of pressure-relieving mattresses for preventing pressure ulcers in immobile patients. Which type of study would provide the strongest evidence?
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A randomized controlled trial comparing pressure-relieving mattresses to standard mattresses.
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A qualitative study exploring patient experiences with different mattresses.
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A case series on patients who developed pressure ulcers.
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An expert opinion piece on mattress selection for immobile patients.
Correct answer: A randomized controlled trial comparing pressure-relieving mattresses to standard mattresses.
A randomized controlled trial is considered the gold standard for evidence in clinical research due to its ability to minimize bias and establish causality.
Qualitative studies provide depth of understanding but do not offer the comparative, objective evidence that a randomized controlled trial would. Case series can provide insights into individual experiences but lack the control group necessary for comparative analysis. Expert opinions are valuable but rank lower in the hierarchy of evidence compared to empirical research.
53.
Which promotional strategy would be most effective for a nurse educator promoting a new online learning module on patient safety?
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Utilizing the hospital’s learning management system to send notifications to nurses.
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Announcing the module during hospital-wide staff meetings.
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Sending a mass text message to all staff members.
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Creating a poster campaign throughout the hospital.
Correct answer: Utilizing the hospital’s learning management system to send notifications to nurses.
Notifications via the hospital’s learning management system directly target the relevant audience with immediate access to the module, making it the most effective strategy.
While staff meetings reach many, they may not capture nurses who cannot attend or remember the information post-meeting. Mass text messages may be perceived as intrusive and lack detailed information. Posters can raise awareness, but they lack the direct call to action that digital notifications provide.
54.
During a debriefing session after a clinical rotation, a nursing student expresses discomfort with the cultural practices of a patient encountered during the rotation. Which response by the nurse educator would best facilitate the student's cultural competence growth?
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Encourage the student to explore the underlying reasons for the discomfort and seek to understand the patient's perspective.
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Advise the student to set aside personal feelings and provide care without bias.
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Suggest avoiding similar cultural scenarios in future clinical rotations.
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Instruct the student to share their perspectives on culture with the patient to facilitate a therapeutic relationship.
Correct answer: Encourage the student to explore the underlying reasons for the discomfort and seek to understand the patient's perspective.
Encouraging self-reflection and the desire to seek understanding can help the student grow in cultural competence and provide more empathetic care.
While providing unbiased care is important, simply advising the student to set aside personal feelings may not address the root of the discomfort or promote understanding. Avoiding cultural scenarios does not promote learning or growth in cultural competence. The student’s sharing of their perspectives on culture does not provide the student with a better understanding of the patient’s culture and is not likely to establish a therapeutic relationship.
55.
A nurse educator is designing a workshop for a group of nurses on the topic of professional ethics. Which content is most essential to include?
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The principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
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How to address conflicts involving the hospital's financial policies.
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The importance of personal beliefs and morals in clinical decision-making.
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The latest medical technologies and how to use them.
Correct answer: The principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
The principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice are all foundational to the ethical practice of nursing and are critical for nurses to understand and apply in their practice.
While understanding the hospital's financial policies is important, it is not directly related to professional ethics. While personal beliefs can impact decision-making, the focus of professional ethics is on universal principles that guide practice. Knowledge of the latest medical technologies is not a core component of professional ethics.
56.
A nurse leader is managing a team in a high-stress, fast-paced clinical environment. She observes varying levels of motivation among her team members and decides to employ a leadership style that involves setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and rewarding high performance. Which leadership style is she most likely using?
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Transactional leadership
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Transformational leadership
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Laissez-faire leadership
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Democratic leadership
Correct answer: Transactional leadership
Transactional leadership is characterized by clear organization, performance-based rewards, and feedback, fitting the scenario described.
Transformational leadership is more about inspiring and motivating team members through a shared vision, it is not as focused on structured rewards and feedback. Laissez-faire leadership involves minimal oversight and does not involve setting clear goals or providing structured feedback. While democratic leadership involves input from team members, it is not specifically characterized by the structured reward and feedback systems that are highlighted in the scenario.
57.
A nurse is writing an article on the latest advancements in wound care for a professional nursing magazine. They find an article online with comprehensive details and decide to use several paragraphs from it. Which of the following represents the best practice for the nurse to follow?
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Paraphrase the paragraphs from the online article and cite it as a source.
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Cite the online article as a source in the reference list and use the paragraphs as they are.
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Use the paragraphs without citation, understanding that general knowledge on wound care is not copyrighted.
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Obtain permission from the author of the online article to use the paragraphs.
Correct answer: Paraphrase the paragraphs from the online article and cite it as a source.
Paraphrasing content and properly citing the source respects copyright laws and avoids plagiarism while contributing to academic integrity.
Using large sections of text directly from another source and only citing it in the reference list can still be considered plagiarism. While using direct quotes may be permissible if cited correctly, paraphrasing is a better practice. Using content without citation is plagiarism, regardless of the topic's perceived status as general knowledge. While obtaining permission is a respectful approach to using someone else's work, it may not be necessary if the material is correctly cited; this is a more practical approach for academic writing.
58.
During a training session on infection control, the nurse educator observes that the learners are not engaging with the traditional lecture format. Which teaching strategy should the nurse educator use next to enhance learner engagement?
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Introduce a role-playing activity that simulates a disease outbreak scenario.
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Continue with the lecture, focusing on key points.
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Distribute handouts summarizing the infection control guidelines.
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Show a documentary on the consequences of poor infection control.
Correct answer: Introduce a role-playing activity that simulates a disease outbreak scenario.
Role-playing is an interactive strategy that promotes engagement and allows learners to apply knowledge in a simulated, practical context.
Continuing with the lecture does not address the lack of engagement and may not facilitate effective learning. Handouts are supportive but do not actively engage learners or encourage the application of knowledge. While documentaries can be informative, they are passive and may not actively engage learners or encourage immediate application of knowledge.
59.
A nurse is providing telehealth services to a patient with chronic heart failure. Which of the following is most important to ensure the success of this telehealth visit?
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Secure, HIPAA-compliant software.
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A high-definition webcam.
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The patient's complete medical history on hand.
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Another person on the patient’s end to assist them during the visit.
Correct answer: Secure, HIPAA-compliant software.
Ensuring patient confidentiality and data security through HIPAA-compliant software is fundamental to the integrity and success of telehealth services.
While a high-definition webcam can improve the quality of the visit, it is not essential for the success of the telehealth visit. Although having the patient's medical history is important, it is not a technology-specific requirement for telehealth success and is not as crucial to the success of the visit as secure, HIPAA-compliant software. While someone to assist on the other end may be helpful, the critical need is secure software.
60.
A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs. Which ethical principle should guide the nurse's respect for the patient's decision?
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Autonomy
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Beneficence
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Justice
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Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Autonomy
All the identified ethical principles are at play in this scenario, however, autonomy is specifically related to the nurse’s respect for the patient’s decision. Autonomy is the principle that respects the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care, including the refusal of treatment.
Beneficence involves acting in the patient's best interest but does not relate to the patient's right to choose. Justice deals with fairness and equal distribution of resources, not individual choices. Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm’; respecting the patient's decision is a matter of autonomy, not avoiding harm.