Standards of Practice & Standards of Professional
Performance
Stem: Which statement best describes the primary purpose of
the ANA "Scope and Standards of Practice"?
A. To provide a legal document specifying punishments for
nursing errors.
B. To define who may practice nursing and provide expectations
for competent practice.
C. To list every task a nurse may perform in every clinical
situation.
D. To replace state Nurse Practice Acts as the controlling
regulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): The ANA Scope and Standards define the
profession’s boundaries and describe expectations for
competent nursing practice, guiding safe and ethical care.
Rationale (A): Incorrect — the document guides practice and
professional expectations; it is not a punitive legal statute.
Rationale (C): Incorrect — it provides principles and standards,
not an exhaustive task list for all situations.
Rationale (D): Incorrect — state Nurse Practice Acts are legal
regulations; ANA guidance complements but does not replace
them.
,Teaching Point: Scope and standards describe professional
expectations, not legal penalties.
2.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Scope of Nursing Practice
Section: Standards of Practice
Title: Components of Standards
Stem: The ANA Standards of Professional Nursing Practice are
divided into two main components. These are:
A. Licensing requirements and certification pathways.
B. Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional
Performance.
C. Clinical protocols and administrative policies.
D. Education requirements and continuing education credits.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (Correct): ANA distinguishes Standards of Practice
(nursing process activities) and Standards of Professional
Performance (professional behaviors and responsibilities).
Rationale (A): Incorrect — licensing and certification are
external regulatory/credentialing matters.
Rationale (C): Incorrect — protocols/policies are institutional,
not the ANA’s two component framework.
Rationale (D): Incorrect — education is one aspect of
professional performance but not the two-component
structure.
, Teaching Point: Standards = Practice (nursing process) +
Professional Performance (behaviors).
3.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Scope of Nursing Practice
Section: Standards of Practice
Title: The Nursing Process
Stem: Which element is NOT one of the six steps of the nursing
process as described in the Standards of Practice?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Renewal
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale (Correct): “Renewal” is not a step; the six steps are
assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning,
implementation, and evaluation.
Rationale (A): Incorrect — Assessment is the first step of the
nursing process.
Rationale (B): Incorrect — Diagnosis (nursing diagnosis) is a core
step.
Rationale (D): Incorrect — Evaluation is the final step, assessing
outcomes and effectiveness.