NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional identity and standards
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Professional Identity
Stem:
A newly licensed nurse says, “I was taught the skills in school, so
now I can decide my own standards as long as the patient is
safe.” The charge nurse recognizes this as an important teaching
moment because the nurse is confusing individual preference
,with professional accountability. Which response best reflects
the nature of nursing as a profession?
A. “Professional nursing practice is based only on employer
policies.”
B. “Professional nursing requires independent judgment guided
by standards, ethics, and accountability.”
C. “Professional nursing is defined mainly by technical skills and
task completion.”
D. “Professional nursing practice does not require external
oversight once licensed.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Professional nursing is not simply performing tasks; it requires
judgment, accountability, and practice guided by professional
standards and ethics. Licensure grants permission to practice,
but it does not replace responsibility to the profession, the
patient, and the public. This is the most accurate statement of
nursing as a profession.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Employer policies influence practice, but they do not define
the entire profession. Nurses must also follow legal, ethical, and
professional standards.
C. Technical skill is important, but professions are distinguished
by specialized knowledge, judgment, and accountability.
D. Licensure does not eliminate oversight; nurses remain
,accountable to boards of nursing, employers, and professional
codes.
Teaching Point:
Professionals use standards and judgment, not personal
preference, to guide practice.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Social contract with society
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Social
Contract
Stem:
A hospital task force is discussing why the public grants nurses
authority, trust, and access to intimate patient information. One
member asks why society expects so much accountability from
nurses. Which explanation is best?
A. Nurses are accountable because they are supervised like all
other employees.
B. Society grants nurses trust and authority because the
profession commits to protect the public good.
C. Nurses are accountable mainly because physicians delegate
most nursing responsibilities.
D. Public trust exists because nursing is primarily a customer-
service occupation.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A profession exists within a social contract: society grants trust,
autonomy, and authority in exchange for competent, ethical,
and accountable service. Nursing’s legitimacy depends on
protecting the public and maintaining standards. This is the
foundation of professional responsibility.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Supervision may occur in employment settings, but it does
not explain the profession’s social authority.
C. Nursing accountability is not derived from physician
delegation; nurses have independent obligations.
D. Nursing is a profession, not merely a service job, and its
authority is not based on customer satisfaction.
Teaching Point:
Professional trust is earned through public service,
competence, and accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Professional autonomy
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Autonomy
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional identity and standards
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Professional Identity
Stem:
A newly licensed nurse says, “I was taught the skills in school, so
now I can decide my own standards as long as the patient is
safe.” The charge nurse recognizes this as an important teaching
moment because the nurse is confusing individual preference
,with professional accountability. Which response best reflects
the nature of nursing as a profession?
A. “Professional nursing practice is based only on employer
policies.”
B. “Professional nursing requires independent judgment guided
by standards, ethics, and accountability.”
C. “Professional nursing is defined mainly by technical skills and
task completion.”
D. “Professional nursing practice does not require external
oversight once licensed.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Professional nursing is not simply performing tasks; it requires
judgment, accountability, and practice guided by professional
standards and ethics. Licensure grants permission to practice,
but it does not replace responsibility to the profession, the
patient, and the public. This is the most accurate statement of
nursing as a profession.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Employer policies influence practice, but they do not define
the entire profession. Nurses must also follow legal, ethical, and
professional standards.
C. Technical skill is important, but professions are distinguished
by specialized knowledge, judgment, and accountability.
D. Licensure does not eliminate oversight; nurses remain
,accountable to boards of nursing, employers, and professional
codes.
Teaching Point:
Professionals use standards and judgment, not personal
preference, to guide practice.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Social contract with society
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Social
Contract
Stem:
A hospital task force is discussing why the public grants nurses
authority, trust, and access to intimate patient information. One
member asks why society expects so much accountability from
nurses. Which explanation is best?
A. Nurses are accountable because they are supervised like all
other employees.
B. Society grants nurses trust and authority because the
profession commits to protect the public good.
C. Nurses are accountable mainly because physicians delegate
most nursing responsibilities.
D. Public trust exists because nursing is primarily a customer-
service occupation.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A profession exists within a social contract: society grants trust,
autonomy, and authority in exchange for competent, ethical,
and accountable service. Nursing’s legitimacy depends on
protecting the public and maintaining standards. This is the
foundation of professional responsibility.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Supervision may occur in employment settings, but it does
not explain the profession’s social authority.
C. Nursing accountability is not derived from physician
delegation; nurses have independent obligations.
D. Nursing is a profession, not merely a service job, and its
authority is not based on customer satisfaction.
Teaching Point:
Professional trust is earned through public service,
competence, and accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Professional autonomy
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Autonomy
