NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional characteristics
Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A newly hired nurse tells a preceptor, “Nursing is just following
orders from the provider.” The preceptor wants to correct this
misconception in a way that reflects the development of
nursing as a profession. Which statement is the best response?
A. “Nursing is professional because nurses only work in
hospitals.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses specialized
,knowledge, accountability, and independent judgment.”
C. “Nursing becomes professional when a nurse has many years
of experience.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because nurses perform tasks faster
than other staff.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
This statement reflects core features of a profession: specialized
knowledge, accountability, autonomy, and ethical practice.
Nurses do not merely follow orders; they apply clinical
judgment within their scope of practice.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Employment setting does not define a profession. Nursing
occurs in many settings.
C. Experience may strengthen practice, but it does not create
professional status by itself.
D. Speed is not a defining feature of a profession and does not
reflect judgment or standards.
Teaching Point: Professional nursing requires knowledge,
accountability, and independent judgment.
Citation: Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1, Ch. 1.
2) Autonomy in practice
,Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit notices that a standard pain-
management protocol is not effective for one patient. The nurse
contacts the provider and recommends a different approach
based on the patient’s response. Which professional concept is
the nurse demonstrating?
A. Autonomy
B. Dependence
C. Assignment
D. Supervision
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Autonomy is the ability to make professional decisions within
scope using nursing judgment. The nurse is not waiting
passively; the nurse is evaluating data and advocating for a
change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Dependence suggests relying only on others’ decisions, which
is not the best description here.
C. Assignment refers to workload distribution, not professional
judgment.
D. Supervision is oversight, not the nurse’s own independent
action.
Teaching Point: Autonomy means using nursing judgment to act
within scope.
, Citation: Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1, Ch. 1.
3) Body of knowledge
Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A nurse manager is preparing an orientation session for new
graduates. She wants to explain why nursing is more than a set
of tasks. Which example best supports the idea of a distinct
nursing body of knowledge?
A. Using personal opinions to guide all patient care decisions
B. Applying evidence-based practice to select interventions
C. Choosing the fastest task regardless of patient condition
D. Following routines without evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A profession is built on a unique body of knowledge that guides
practice. Evidence-based practice shows that nursing decisions
are informed by research, theory, and clinical judgment.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Personal opinion alone is not a professional knowledge base.
C. Efficiency matters, but care must still be individualized and
evidence-based.
D. Routine without evaluation does not show professional
knowledge or accountability.
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional characteristics
Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A newly hired nurse tells a preceptor, “Nursing is just following
orders from the provider.” The preceptor wants to correct this
misconception in a way that reflects the development of
nursing as a profession. Which statement is the best response?
A. “Nursing is professional because nurses only work in
hospitals.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses specialized
,knowledge, accountability, and independent judgment.”
C. “Nursing becomes professional when a nurse has many years
of experience.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because nurses perform tasks faster
than other staff.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
This statement reflects core features of a profession: specialized
knowledge, accountability, autonomy, and ethical practice.
Nurses do not merely follow orders; they apply clinical
judgment within their scope of practice.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Employment setting does not define a profession. Nursing
occurs in many settings.
C. Experience may strengthen practice, but it does not create
professional status by itself.
D. Speed is not a defining feature of a profession and does not
reflect judgment or standards.
Teaching Point: Professional nursing requires knowledge,
accountability, and independent judgment.
Citation: Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1, Ch. 1.
2) Autonomy in practice
,Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit notices that a standard pain-
management protocol is not effective for one patient. The nurse
contacts the provider and recommends a different approach
based on the patient’s response. Which professional concept is
the nurse demonstrating?
A. Autonomy
B. Dependence
C. Assignment
D. Supervision
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Autonomy is the ability to make professional decisions within
scope using nursing judgment. The nurse is not waiting
passively; the nurse is evaluating data and advocating for a
change.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Dependence suggests relying only on others’ decisions, which
is not the best description here.
C. Assignment refers to workload distribution, not professional
judgment.
D. Supervision is oversight, not the nurse’s own independent
action.
Teaching Point: Autonomy means using nursing judgment to act
within scope.
, Citation: Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Unit 1, Ch. 1.
3) Body of knowledge
Reference: Unit 1 — Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession
A nurse manager is preparing an orientation session for new
graduates. She wants to explain why nursing is more than a set
of tasks. Which example best supports the idea of a distinct
nursing body of knowledge?
A. Using personal opinions to guide all patient care decisions
B. Applying evidence-based practice to select interventions
C. Choosing the fastest task regardless of patient condition
D. Following routines without evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A profession is built on a unique body of knowledge that guides
practice. Evidence-based practice shows that nursing decisions
are informed by research, theory, and clinical judgment.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Personal opinion alone is not a professional knowledge base.
C. Efficiency matters, but care must still be individualized and
evidence-based.
D. Routine without evaluation does not show professional
knowledge or accountability.
