NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Defining
characteristics of a profession
Stem:
A hospital is revising its orientation materials for newly hired
nurses. The educator asks which statement best reflects why
nursing is considered a profession rather than just an
occupation. The group compares nursing to other service roles
,and focuses on autonomy, specialized knowledge, and
accountability.
Which statement best supports nursing as a profession?
Options:
A. “Nursing is a profession because it primarily involves
following physician orders.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses a specialized
knowledge base and professional standards to guide
autonomous practice.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because it is performed only in
hospitals.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because it requires compassion more
than technical skill.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
B is correct because professions are defined by a specialized
body of knowledge, standards of practice, accountability, and
some degree of autonomy in decision-making. Nursing practice
is grounded in evidence, ethics, and professional regulation.
These features distinguish it from a task-based occupation.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because nursing is not defined by dependence on
physician orders; nurses make independent judgments within
scope.
C is incorrect because nursing occurs across many settings, not
only hospitals.
,D is incorrect because compassion is important, but it does not
define a profession.
Teaching Point:
Professions combine specialized knowledge, autonomy,
standards, and accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Autonomy and
accountability
Stem:
A new graduate nurse notices that a colleague routinely skips a
required safety step because “it saves time and nobody
complains.” The graduate is unsure whether to intervene
because the colleague is experienced. The manager later
reminds staff that professional nurses are accountable for their
own practice.
What is the graduate nurse’s best response?
Options:
A. Ignore the issue because the colleague is more experienced
B. Follow the unsafe shortcut to fit in with the unit culture
C. Speak up and follow the policy because accountability is an
individual professional duty
, D. Wait until an adverse event occurs before reporting the
problem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer:
C is correct because professional accountability requires each
nurse to follow standards, policies, and safety procedures
regardless of peer pressure. A nurse is responsible for personal
practice and for advocating safe care. Ignoring unsafe practice
can contribute to harm and weakens professional integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because experience does not excuse unsafe
practice.
B is incorrect because conformity does not replace professional
judgment or policy compliance.
D is incorrect because waiting for harm is ethically and legally
indefensible.
Teaching Point:
Accountability means following standards even when others do
not.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Defining
characteristics of a profession
Stem:
A hospital is revising its orientation materials for newly hired
nurses. The educator asks which statement best reflects why
nursing is considered a profession rather than just an
occupation. The group compares nursing to other service roles
,and focuses on autonomy, specialized knowledge, and
accountability.
Which statement best supports nursing as a profession?
Options:
A. “Nursing is a profession because it primarily involves
following physician orders.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses a specialized
knowledge base and professional standards to guide
autonomous practice.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because it is performed only in
hospitals.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because it requires compassion more
than technical skill.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
B is correct because professions are defined by a specialized
body of knowledge, standards of practice, accountability, and
some degree of autonomy in decision-making. Nursing practice
is grounded in evidence, ethics, and professional regulation.
These features distinguish it from a task-based occupation.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because nursing is not defined by dependence on
physician orders; nurses make independent judgments within
scope.
C is incorrect because nursing occurs across many settings, not
only hospitals.
,D is incorrect because compassion is important, but it does not
define a profession.
Teaching Point:
Professions combine specialized knowledge, autonomy,
standards, and accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Autonomy and
accountability
Stem:
A new graduate nurse notices that a colleague routinely skips a
required safety step because “it saves time and nobody
complains.” The graduate is unsure whether to intervene
because the colleague is experienced. The manager later
reminds staff that professional nurses are accountable for their
own practice.
What is the graduate nurse’s best response?
Options:
A. Ignore the issue because the colleague is more experienced
B. Follow the unsafe shortcut to fit in with the unit culture
C. Speak up and follow the policy because accountability is an
individual professional duty
, D. Wait until an adverse event occurs before reporting the
problem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer:
C is correct because professional accountability requires each
nurse to follow standards, policies, and safety procedures
regardless of peer pressure. A nurse is responsible for personal
practice and for advocating safe care. Ignoring unsafe practice
can contribute to harm and weakens professional integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because experience does not excuse unsafe
practice.
B is incorrect because conformity does not replace professional
judgment or policy compliance.
D is incorrect because waiting for harm is ethically and legally
indefensible.
Teaching Point:
Accountability means following standards even when others do
not.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
