NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES,
TOMORROW'S TRENDS
9TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1. Professional characteristics in nursing
Reference: Unit 1 — The Evolution of Nursing: The
Development of a Profession
Stem:
A newly licensed RN notices that the unit routinely allows
unlicensed assistive personnel to make decisions about which
patients should receive discharge teaching first. The RN is
,concerned that this practice weakens professional
accountability and patient safety. Which action best reflects the
characteristics of a profession in nursing?
Options:
A. Allowing any staff member to decide what education
patients receive
B. Using professional judgment and accountability to guide
nursing care
C. Following physician preferences for all patient education
decisions
D. Completing tasks quickly so the team can discharge patients
faster
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: A profession is defined by specialized knowledge,
accountability, autonomous judgment, and responsibility for
standards of practice. The RN should use professional judgment
to ensure discharge teaching is prioritized safely and
appropriately.
A: Patient education decisions should not be made by
unlicensed personnel without nursing oversight.
C: Nursing practice is not subordinate to physician preference
in all matters; nurses maintain independent responsibilities.
, D: Speed alone does not reflect professionalism and may
compromise safety.
Teaching Point:
Professional nursing requires accountability, judgment, and
responsibility for safe care.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1: The Evolution of Nursing — The
Development of a Profession.
2. Autonomy and professional practice
Reference: Unit 1 — The Evolution of Nursing: The
Development of a Profession
Stem:
An RN in a community clinic identifies that a patient’s blood
pressure is dangerously elevated during a follow-up visit. The
provider is delayed, and the RN must decide how to respond.
Which action best demonstrates nursing autonomy as part of
professional practice?
Options:
A. Wait for the provider before taking any action
B. Recheck the blood pressure, assess for symptoms, and
activate the clinic’s escalation process
, C. Tell the patient to call their provider later at home
D. Document the result and continue the clinic schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Autonomy means using nursing judgment within
scope to assess, intervene, and escalate care when needed. The
RN protects the patient by reassessing and following the
appropriate escalation process.
A: Delaying action may place the patient at risk.
C: Telling the patient to call later ignores the immediate safety
concern.
D: Documentation alone is not sufficient when a potentially
urgent condition is present.
Teaching Point:
Autonomous nursing action includes assessment, intervention,
and timely escalation.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1: The Evolution of Nursing — The
Development of a Profession.
3. Body of knowledge
TODAY'S ISSUES,
TOMORROW'S TRENDS
9TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1. Professional characteristics in nursing
Reference: Unit 1 — The Evolution of Nursing: The
Development of a Profession
Stem:
A newly licensed RN notices that the unit routinely allows
unlicensed assistive personnel to make decisions about which
patients should receive discharge teaching first. The RN is
,concerned that this practice weakens professional
accountability and patient safety. Which action best reflects the
characteristics of a profession in nursing?
Options:
A. Allowing any staff member to decide what education
patients receive
B. Using professional judgment and accountability to guide
nursing care
C. Following physician preferences for all patient education
decisions
D. Completing tasks quickly so the team can discharge patients
faster
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: A profession is defined by specialized knowledge,
accountability, autonomous judgment, and responsibility for
standards of practice. The RN should use professional judgment
to ensure discharge teaching is prioritized safely and
appropriately.
A: Patient education decisions should not be made by
unlicensed personnel without nursing oversight.
C: Nursing practice is not subordinate to physician preference
in all matters; nurses maintain independent responsibilities.
, D: Speed alone does not reflect professionalism and may
compromise safety.
Teaching Point:
Professional nursing requires accountability, judgment, and
responsibility for safe care.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1: The Evolution of Nursing — The
Development of a Profession.
2. Autonomy and professional practice
Reference: Unit 1 — The Evolution of Nursing: The
Development of a Profession
Stem:
An RN in a community clinic identifies that a patient’s blood
pressure is dangerously elevated during a follow-up visit. The
provider is delayed, and the RN must decide how to respond.
Which action best demonstrates nursing autonomy as part of
professional practice?
Options:
A. Wait for the provider before taking any action
B. Recheck the blood pressure, assess for symptoms, and
activate the clinic’s escalation process
, C. Tell the patient to call their provider later at home
D. Document the result and continue the clinic schedule
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Autonomy means using nursing judgment within
scope to assess, intervene, and escalate care when needed. The
RN protects the patient by reassessing and following the
appropriate escalation process.
A: Delaying action may place the patient at risk.
C: Telling the patient to call later ignores the immediate safety
concern.
D: Documentation alone is not sufficient when a potentially
urgent condition is present.
Teaching Point:
Autonomous nursing action includes assessment, intervention,
and timely escalation.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1: The Evolution of Nursing — The
Development of a Profession.
3. Body of knowledge
