NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional characteristics in nursing
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Characteristics of a Profession
A nurse manager is orienting new graduates to the unit’s
expectations. She explains that professional nursing is
distinguished from task-based work because nurses are
accountable for independent judgment, use a scientific
knowledge base, and follow a code of ethics. One new graduate
,asks what best shows that nursing functions as a profession
rather than a collection of tasks. Which response is best?
A. “Nursing work is professional because nurses always follow
physician orders exactly.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses specialized
knowledge, autonomy, and self-regulation.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because it requires compassion and
strong communication skills.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because nurses spend most of their
time performing procedures.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Specialized knowledge, autonomy, and self-regulation are core
features of a profession. Nursing is more than task completion;
it includes independent clinical judgment, ethical practice, and
accountability to standards. These features support professional
status and patient safety.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because blind obedience to orders does not
define a profession. Professional nursing includes independent
judgment and responsibility to question unsafe orders.
C is incorrect because compassion and communication are
important, but they are not sufficient to define a profession.
D is incorrect because procedure performance alone does not
capture the broader professional role of nursing.
,Teaching Point:
Professions combine knowledge, autonomy, ethics, and
accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Florence Nightingale’s influence
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Historical Foundations
A nursing instructor asks students which historical development
most strongly helped establish nursing as a modern profession.
A student answers that one figure improved sanitation,
organized data to show outcomes, and promoted education for
nurses. Which person is being described?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Lillian Wald
D. Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Florence Nightingale is widely recognized for improving
sanitation, using statistics to demonstrate outcomes, and
advancing nursing education. Her work helped shape nursing
, into a disciplined profession grounded in evidence and public
health. Her influence remains foundational in professional
nursing.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because Clara Barton is best known for
humanitarian and disaster relief work.
C is incorrect because Lillian Wald focused on public health
nursing and settlement work.
D is incorrect because Dorothea Dix contributed to mental
health reform and wartime nursing organization.
Teaching Point:
Nightingale linked sanitation, evidence, and education to
professional nursing.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Development of nursing education
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Nursing
Education
A hospital is hiring nurses for a specialty unit. The nurse
recruiter explains that the profession has moved toward formal
academic preparation because society expects nurses to think
critically and apply evidence-based practice. Which educational
trend most supports the professionalization of nursing?
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
1) Professional characteristics in nursing
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Characteristics of a Profession
A nurse manager is orienting new graduates to the unit’s
expectations. She explains that professional nursing is
distinguished from task-based work because nurses are
accountable for independent judgment, use a scientific
knowledge base, and follow a code of ethics. One new graduate
,asks what best shows that nursing functions as a profession
rather than a collection of tasks. Which response is best?
A. “Nursing work is professional because nurses always follow
physician orders exactly.”
B. “Nursing is a profession because it uses specialized
knowledge, autonomy, and self-regulation.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because it requires compassion and
strong communication skills.”
D. “Nursing is a profession because nurses spend most of their
time performing procedures.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Specialized knowledge, autonomy, and self-regulation are core
features of a profession. Nursing is more than task completion;
it includes independent clinical judgment, ethical practice, and
accountability to standards. These features support professional
status and patient safety.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because blind obedience to orders does not
define a profession. Professional nursing includes independent
judgment and responsibility to question unsafe orders.
C is incorrect because compassion and communication are
important, but they are not sufficient to define a profession.
D is incorrect because procedure performance alone does not
capture the broader professional role of nursing.
,Teaching Point:
Professions combine knowledge, autonomy, ethics, and
accountability.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Florence Nightingale’s influence
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Historical Foundations
A nursing instructor asks students which historical development
most strongly helped establish nursing as a modern profession.
A student answers that one figure improved sanitation,
organized data to show outcomes, and promoted education for
nurses. Which person is being described?
A. Clara Barton
B. Florence Nightingale
C. Lillian Wald
D. Dorothea Dix
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Florence Nightingale is widely recognized for improving
sanitation, using statistics to demonstrate outcomes, and
advancing nursing education. Her work helped shape nursing
, into a disciplined profession grounded in evidence and public
health. Her influence remains foundational in professional
nursing.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A is incorrect because Clara Barton is best known for
humanitarian and disaster relief work.
C is incorrect because Lillian Wald focused on public health
nursing and settlement work.
D is incorrect because Dorothea Dix contributed to mental
health reform and wartime nursing organization.
Teaching Point:
Nightingale linked sanitation, evidence, and education to
professional nursing.
Citation:
Catalano, J. (2024). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues, Tomorrow’s
Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Development of nursing education
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession — Nursing
Education
A hospital is hiring nurses for a specialty unit. The nurse
recruiter explains that the profession has moved toward formal
academic preparation because society expects nurses to think
critically and apply evidence-based practice. Which educational
trend most supports the professionalization of nursing?
