Standards of Practice & Standards of Professional
Performance
Stem: According to the ANA Scope of Nursing Practice, which
statement best describes the primary focus of professional
nursing?
A. Prescribing medications and performing invasive procedures.
B. Diagnosis and treatment of human responses and advocacy
for individuals and populations.
C. Administrative oversight and health system financing.
D. Exclusive management of all medical diagnostics.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): The ANA defines nursing as the diagnosis and
treatment of human responses and advocacy for individuals,
families, groups, communities, and populations; this reflects the
profession’s focus on person-centered care and advocacy.
Evidence-based standards emphasize the centrality of
assessment, intervention, and patient advocacy.
A: Prescribing and invasive procedures may be within APRN
roles but are not the primary, universal focus of all nurses.
C: Administrative tasks may be part of some roles but do not
define nursing practice.
D: Nurses collaborate in diagnostics but do not exclusively
manage all medical diagnostics.
,Teaching Point: Nursing centers on human responses and
advocacy, not solely procedures.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: Scope of Nursing Practice — Title:
Who/What/When/Where/Why/How
Stem: Which element best answers the “how” of nursing
practice as described in Chapter 1?
A. State regulatory statutes only.
B. Methods, manners, and ways nurses use to practice
professionally.
C. Hospital financial policies.
D. Drug formularies used by prescribers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): The “how” of nursing practice refers to the
methods, manners, and ways nurses use to perform
professionally, including caring approaches and evidence-based
methods.
A: Regulatory statutes influence scope but do not describe
“how” care is delivered.
C: Financial policies are contextual but not the “how” of
practice.
D: Drug formularies are tools for prescribers and APRNs, not the
broad “how” of nursing.
, Teaching Point: “How” refers to nursing methods and
professional approaches.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: Development & Function of the
Standards — Title: Components of Standards
Stem: Chapter 1 divides the Standards of Professional Nursing
Practice into two components. Which pair is correct?
A. Standards of Finance and Standards of Documentation.
B. Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional
Performance.
C. Clinical Protocols and Administrative Policies.
D. Standards of Billing and Standards of Licensing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): The ANA identifies two components: Standards of
Practice (guided by the nursing process) and Standards of
Professional Performance (behaviors in the professional role).
These components form the authoritative expectations for RN
behavior.
A/C/D: These are not the two ANA components; they mislabel
the authoritative standards.
Teaching Point: Standards = Practice (nursing process) +
Professional Performance (role behaviors).