NURSING NOW
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Characteristics of a profession
Stem: A newly hired nurse tells the unit manager, “Nursing is
basically just following orders from providers and carrying out
tasks.” The manager wants to correct this misunderstanding in a
way that reflects the profession’s identity. Which response best
reflects nursing as a profession?
Options:
A. “Nursing is a profession because nurses use independent
,judgment, evidence, and accountability in care.”
B. “Nursing is a profession only when the nurse performs
technical procedures correctly.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because nurses work under constant
physician direction.”
D. “Nursing becomes a profession only after a nurse completes
graduate school.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct: Nursing is distinguished from an
occupation by specialized knowledge, accountability, autonomy,
and a service orientation. Professional nurses do not simply
carry out tasks; they assess, analyze, intervene, and evaluate
outcomes using standards and evidence.
Rationale — Incorrect: B reduces nursing to task performance
and ignores judgment and accountability. C incorrectly defines
nursing as dependent practice. D confuses one educational
pathway with the definition of a profession.
Teaching Point: Professional nursing requires judgment,
accountability, and autonomous application of knowledge.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Autonomy and accountability
Stem: A charge nurse delegates a routine task to a competent
assistive personnel member, but the task is completed
incorrectly and the patient is harmed. The nurse says, “I
delegated it, so I am not responsible.” Which principle should
,guide the manager’s response?
Options:
A. Delegation transfers all accountability to the delegatee.
B. The nurse retains accountability for appropriate delegation
and supervision.
C. The assistive personnel member assumes legal responsibility
alone.
D. The patient is responsible for identifying delegation errors.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Nurses may delegate tasks, but they
remain accountable for the decision to delegate, the clarity of
instructions, and follow-up supervision. Professional practice
requires safe delegation within scope and competence.
Rationale — Incorrect: A is incorrect because accountability is
not fully transferred. C ignores the nurse’s supervisory
responsibility. D is not a legal or professional nursing principle.
Teaching Point: Delegation does not remove the nurse’s
accountability for safe care.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Scope of practice
Stem: A staff nurse is asked to perform a procedure that is
outside the nurse practice act in the state where the nurse
works. The nurse wants to remain cooperative but also protect
the patient and license. What is the best action?
Options:
, A. Perform the procedure if the provider requested it.
B. Refuse, and seek clarification through the appropriate chain
of command.
C. Perform it once and report any problem later.
D. Ask an unlicensed assistant to do it instead.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Scope of practice is defined by law and
professional standards, not by convenience or informal
requests. The nurse must protect patient safety and personal
licensure by escalating concerns appropriately.
Rationale — Incorrect: A is unsafe and may violate law. C is not
defensible because harm may occur. D is inappropriate because
delegating an out-of-scope task does not make it lawful.
Teaching Point: Legal scope of practice overrides workplace
pressure.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Professional socialization
Stem: A senior student nurse begins a practicum and notices
that experienced nurses use concise, respectful language,
follow documentation standards, and consult evidence-based
guidelines. The student asks why these behaviors matter so
much. Which explanation is most accurate?
Options:
A. They help the student copy the personality of the unit
culture.
TODAY'S ISSUES, TOMORROW'S
TRENDS
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JOSEPH CATALANO
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Characteristics of a profession
Stem: A newly hired nurse tells the unit manager, “Nursing is
basically just following orders from providers and carrying out
tasks.” The manager wants to correct this misunderstanding in a
way that reflects the profession’s identity. Which response best
reflects nursing as a profession?
Options:
A. “Nursing is a profession because nurses use independent
,judgment, evidence, and accountability in care.”
B. “Nursing is a profession only when the nurse performs
technical procedures correctly.”
C. “Nursing is a profession because nurses work under constant
physician direction.”
D. “Nursing becomes a profession only after a nurse completes
graduate school.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct: Nursing is distinguished from an
occupation by specialized knowledge, accountability, autonomy,
and a service orientation. Professional nurses do not simply
carry out tasks; they assess, analyze, intervene, and evaluate
outcomes using standards and evidence.
Rationale — Incorrect: B reduces nursing to task performance
and ignores judgment and accountability. C incorrectly defines
nursing as dependent practice. D confuses one educational
pathway with the definition of a profession.
Teaching Point: Professional nursing requires judgment,
accountability, and autonomous application of knowledge.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Autonomy and accountability
Stem: A charge nurse delegates a routine task to a competent
assistive personnel member, but the task is completed
incorrectly and the patient is harmed. The nurse says, “I
delegated it, so I am not responsible.” Which principle should
,guide the manager’s response?
Options:
A. Delegation transfers all accountability to the delegatee.
B. The nurse retains accountability for appropriate delegation
and supervision.
C. The assistive personnel member assumes legal responsibility
alone.
D. The patient is responsible for identifying delegation errors.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Nurses may delegate tasks, but they
remain accountable for the decision to delegate, the clarity of
instructions, and follow-up supervision. Professional practice
requires safe delegation within scope and competence.
Rationale — Incorrect: A is incorrect because accountability is
not fully transferred. C ignores the nurse’s supervisory
responsibility. D is not a legal or professional nursing principle.
Teaching Point: Delegation does not remove the nurse’s
accountability for safe care.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Scope of practice
Stem: A staff nurse is asked to perform a procedure that is
outside the nurse practice act in the state where the nurse
works. The nurse wants to remain cooperative but also protect
the patient and license. What is the best action?
Options:
, A. Perform the procedure if the provider requested it.
B. Refuse, and seek clarification through the appropriate chain
of command.
C. Perform it once and report any problem later.
D. Ask an unlicensed assistant to do it instead.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Scope of practice is defined by law and
professional standards, not by convenience or informal
requests. The nurse must protect patient safety and personal
licensure by escalating concerns appropriately.
Rationale — Incorrect: A is unsafe and may violate law. C is not
defensible because harm may occur. D is inappropriate because
delegating an out-of-scope task does not make it lawful.
Teaching Point: Legal scope of practice overrides workplace
pressure.
Citation: Catalano, J. (n.d.). Nursing Now: Today’s Issues,
Tomorrow’s Trends (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Development of a Profession —
Professional socialization
Stem: A senior student nurse begins a practicum and notices
that experienced nurses use concise, respectful language,
follow documentation standards, and consult evidence-based
guidelines. The student asks why these behaviors matter so
much. Which explanation is most accurate?
Options:
A. They help the student copy the personality of the unit
culture.
