West Coast University NURS 440 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Issues &
Trends Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of the course
NURS 440: Issues and Trends in Nursing?
A) Mastering advanced clinical skills for acute care settings
B) Examining the social, economic, cultural, political, and educational forces
influencing nursing and healthcare
C) Learning to perform comprehensive physical assessments
D) Developing expertise in pharmacology and medication administration
Correct Answer: Examining the social, economic, cultural, political, and
educational forces influencing nursing and healthcare
Rationale: NURS 440 is designed to study the broad forces that shape the
nursing profession and healthcare delivery. It moves beyond direct clinical
skills to explore the context in which nursing is practiced, including
professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.
2. A nurse is reviewing the history of the nursing profession. Which historical
figure is most credited with establishing nursing as a respected and educated
profession?
A) Clara Barton
B) Lillian Wald
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.
She elevated nursing to a respected profession by establishing the first
,secular nursing school, emphasizing sanitation and data collection, and
defining nursing as a distinct discipline.
3. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, the
nurse's primary commitment is to:
A) The healthcare organization
B) The physician
C) The patient
D) The nursing profession
Correct Answer: The patient
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics clearly states that the nurse's primary
commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group,
community, or population. This foundational principle guides all nursing
decisions and actions.
4. A nurse is considering a career change and wants to influence healthcare
policy at a systemic level. Which advanced role would be most appropriate?
A) Clinical Nurse Specialist
B) Nurse Practitioner
C) Nurse Educator
D) Nurse Administrator
Correct Answer: Nurse Administrator
Rationale: Nurse administrators work in management and leadership roles,
overseeing nursing units, departments, or entire healthcare organizations.
They are positioned to influence policy, allocate resources, and shape the
direction of healthcare delivery.
,5. The nursing profession is currently facing a significant shortage. Which of
the following is a primary factor contributing to this shortage?
A) A decrease in the patient population
B) An aging nursing workforce and retirement of experienced nurses
C) A decrease in the number of healthcare facilities
D) Reduced acuity of patients in hospital settings
Correct Answer: An aging nursing workforce and retirement of experienced
nurses
Rationale: The nursing shortage is driven by multiple factors, including an
aging workforce, increased patient acuity, and growing population demands.
The retirement of a large cohort of experienced nurses is a significant
contributor to the current and projected shortage.
6. A nurse is using social media to share information about a community
health event. According to professional guidelines, which action is most
appropriate?
A) Posting a photo of a patient who gave verbal consent
B) Using a personal account to discuss a difficult patient case without names
C) Sharing educational content from a reputable healthcare organization
D) Friending a current patient to provide them with support
Correct Answer: Sharing educational content from a reputable healthcare
organization
Rationale: Nurses can use social media to positively influence the public
image of nursing and share accurate health information. However, they must
, maintain patient privacy and confidentiality, avoid discussing specific patient
cases, and maintain professional boundaries.
7. A patient has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. The family is asking the
nurse to continue all life-saving measures. What is the nurse's primary
responsibility in this situation?
A) To follow the family's wishes to avoid conflict
B) To advocate for the patient's previously expressed wishes as documented
in the DNR
C) To consult with the hospital ethics committee before taking any action
D) To ignore the DNR and attempt to resuscitate the patient
Correct Answer: To advocate for the patient's previously expressed wishes as
documented in the DNR
Rationale: The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's autonomy and
respect their documented wishes, including a DNR order. The nurse must
support the family while upholding the patient's right to self-determination
and the ethical principle of autonomy.
8. Which of the following is an example of a nurse functioning as a political
force in healthcare?
A) Providing direct patient care in a clinic
B) Lobbying a legislator for increased funding for nursing education
C) Attending a continuing education conference
D) Administering medications as prescribed
Correct Answer: Lobbying a legislator for increased funding for nursing
education
Trends Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of the course
NURS 440: Issues and Trends in Nursing?
A) Mastering advanced clinical skills for acute care settings
B) Examining the social, economic, cultural, political, and educational forces
influencing nursing and healthcare
C) Learning to perform comprehensive physical assessments
D) Developing expertise in pharmacology and medication administration
Correct Answer: Examining the social, economic, cultural, political, and
educational forces influencing nursing and healthcare
Rationale: NURS 440 is designed to study the broad forces that shape the
nursing profession and healthcare delivery. It moves beyond direct clinical
skills to explore the context in which nursing is practiced, including
professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.
2. A nurse is reviewing the history of the nursing profession. Which historical
figure is most credited with establishing nursing as a respected and educated
profession?
A) Clara Barton
B) Lillian Wald
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.
She elevated nursing to a respected profession by establishing the first
,secular nursing school, emphasizing sanitation and data collection, and
defining nursing as a distinct discipline.
3. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, the
nurse's primary commitment is to:
A) The healthcare organization
B) The physician
C) The patient
D) The nursing profession
Correct Answer: The patient
Rationale: The ANA Code of Ethics clearly states that the nurse's primary
commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group,
community, or population. This foundational principle guides all nursing
decisions and actions.
4. A nurse is considering a career change and wants to influence healthcare
policy at a systemic level. Which advanced role would be most appropriate?
A) Clinical Nurse Specialist
B) Nurse Practitioner
C) Nurse Educator
D) Nurse Administrator
Correct Answer: Nurse Administrator
Rationale: Nurse administrators work in management and leadership roles,
overseeing nursing units, departments, or entire healthcare organizations.
They are positioned to influence policy, allocate resources, and shape the
direction of healthcare delivery.
,5. The nursing profession is currently facing a significant shortage. Which of
the following is a primary factor contributing to this shortage?
A) A decrease in the patient population
B) An aging nursing workforce and retirement of experienced nurses
C) A decrease in the number of healthcare facilities
D) Reduced acuity of patients in hospital settings
Correct Answer: An aging nursing workforce and retirement of experienced
nurses
Rationale: The nursing shortage is driven by multiple factors, including an
aging workforce, increased patient acuity, and growing population demands.
The retirement of a large cohort of experienced nurses is a significant
contributor to the current and projected shortage.
6. A nurse is using social media to share information about a community
health event. According to professional guidelines, which action is most
appropriate?
A) Posting a photo of a patient who gave verbal consent
B) Using a personal account to discuss a difficult patient case without names
C) Sharing educational content from a reputable healthcare organization
D) Friending a current patient to provide them with support
Correct Answer: Sharing educational content from a reputable healthcare
organization
Rationale: Nurses can use social media to positively influence the public
image of nursing and share accurate health information. However, they must
, maintain patient privacy and confidentiality, avoid discussing specific patient
cases, and maintain professional boundaries.
7. A patient has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. The family is asking the
nurse to continue all life-saving measures. What is the nurse's primary
responsibility in this situation?
A) To follow the family's wishes to avoid conflict
B) To advocate for the patient's previously expressed wishes as documented
in the DNR
C) To consult with the hospital ethics committee before taking any action
D) To ignore the DNR and attempt to resuscitate the patient
Correct Answer: To advocate for the patient's previously expressed wishes as
documented in the DNR
Rationale: The nurse's role is to advocate for the patient's autonomy and
respect their documented wishes, including a DNR order. The nurse must
support the family while upholding the patient's right to self-determination
and the ethical principle of autonomy.
8. Which of the following is an example of a nurse functioning as a political
force in healthcare?
A) Providing direct patient care in a clinic
B) Lobbying a legislator for increased funding for nursing education
C) Attending a continuing education conference
D) Administering medications as prescribed
Correct Answer: Lobbying a legislator for increased funding for nursing
education
