ATI Fundamentals Study Guide QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE.
Health care regulatory agencies include: - -US Dept of Health and Human Srvcs
-US FDA
-State and local public health agencies
-State licensing boards (to ensure providers & agencies comply with state regulations)
-the Joint Commission/JCAHO (set quality standards for accreditation of health care facilities)
-Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs)
-Utilization review committees (monitor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized
clients)
Clergy - Job: provide spiritual care to client (pastors, rabbis, priests)
Refer to when: the client requests communication or the family asks for prayer prior to client
undergoing a procedure
Registered dietitian - Job: assess, plan for, and educate the client reg. nutritional needs; direct
care of nutritional aids
Refer to when: ex- the client has low nutrient levels and/or experienced a recent unexplained
weight loss
Lab tech - Job: obtain specimens of the client's body fluids and perform the necessary diagnostic
tests
Refer to when: ex- the provider orders a CBC to be performed immediately
Occupational therapist - Job: assess and plan for the client to regain ADLs, esp motor skills of
the upper extremities; direct care of occupational therapy assistants
Refer to when: ex- client has difficulties using an eating utensil with dominate hand following a
stroke
Pharmacist - Job: provide & monitor meds for the client as prescribed by the provider; supervises
pharm techs in states in which the practice is allowed
Refer to when: client concerns over meds; dosage concerns; etc
Physical Therapist - Job: assess and plan for client to increase musculoskeletal functions, esp of
lower extremities, to maintain mobility; direct care of physical therapy assistants
Refer to when: ex- following a hip replacement, a client requires assistance learning to ambulate
and regain strength
,Provider - Job: assess, diagnose, and treat cllient for disease and/or injury; includes MDs, DOs,
APNs, and PAs
Refer to when: ex- client experiences change in vital signs
Rad Tech - Job: position client and perform x-rays and other imaging procedures for providers to
review for diagnosis of disorders of various body parts
Refer to when: ex- provider orders x-ray of client's hip after a fall
Respiratory therapist - Job: evaluate resp status and provide prescribed resp treatments including
O2 therapy, chest physiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and artificial mechanical ventilation
Refer to when: ex- client with resp disease experiences SOB and requests nebulizer treatment
that is ordered PRN
Social Worker - Job: work with client and client's family by coordinating inpatient and
community resources to meet psychosocial and environmental needs that are necessary for
recovery and/or discharge
Refer to when: ex- client dying of cancer wishes to go home but is unable to perform ADLs; the
spouse needs med equipment in the home to care for client
Speech therapist - Job: evaluate and make recommendations regarding the functions of speech,
language, and swallowing impacted by various client disorders or injuries; teach client
techniques and exercises to improve function when possible
Refer to when: ex- a client is having difficulty swallowing a regular diet after trauma to the head
and neck
Registered Nurse (RN) - -Functions under state nurse practice laws
-Perform assessments; establish nursing diagnoses, goals, and interventions; conducts ongoing
client evaluations
-Participate in developing interdisciplinary plans for client care
-Share best practices; continuing education
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - -Works under supervision of the RN
-Collaborate with other team members
-Possess technical knowledge and skills
-Participate in the delivery of nursing care, using the nursing process as a framework
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) - -Includes CNAs, CMAs, and non-nursing personnel
-Work under direct supervision of an RN or LPN
-Specific tasks usually outlined in position description
-Tasks may including feeding clients, preparing meals, lifting, basic care, measuring & recording
vital signs, and ambulating clients
,The foundation of ethics is based on: - an expected behavior of a certain group in relation to what
is considered right and wrong; it is the study of conduct and character
Morals are: - the values and beliefs held by people that guide their behaviors and decision
making
Ethical theory examines: - the different principles, ideas, systems, and philosophies used to make
judgments about what is right/wrong and good/bad
Ethical principles - standards of what is right/wrong with regard to important social values and
norms
Autonomy - ability of client to make personal decisions, even when those decisions may not be
in the client's best interest
Beneficence - agreement that the care given is in the best interest of the client; taking positive
actions to help others
Fidelity - agreement to keep one's promise to the client about care that was offered
Justice - fair treatment in matters related to physical and psychosocial care and use of resources
Nonmaleficence - avoidance of harm or pain as much as possible when giving treatments
Hospital's ethics committee - may meet to discuss/resolve unusual or complex ethical issues; not
a legal entity
Ethical dilemmas are: - problems about which more than one choice can be made and the choice
made is influenced by the values and beliefs of the decision makers
A problem is an ethical dilemma if: - -it cannot be solved solely by a review of scientific data
-it involves a conflict between two moral imperatives
-the answer will have a profound effect on the situation/client
Steps in ethical decision making - -identify whether or not the issue is indeed an ethical dilemma
-state the ethical dilemma including all surrounding issues and individuals involved
-list and analyze all possible options for resolving the dilemma and review implications of each
option
-select option that is in concert with the ethical principle applicable to this situation, the decision
maker's values and beliefs, and the profession's values set forth for client care; justify why
chosen over other options
-apply this decision to the dilemma and evaluate the outcomes
Advocacy - support of the cause of the client regarding health, safety, and personal rights
, Responsibility - willingness to respect obligations and follow through on promises
Accountability - ability to answer for one's own actions
Confidentiality - protection of privacy without diminishing access to quality care
According to the UDDA, death is determined by one of two criteria: - -an irreversible cessation
of circulatory and respiratory functions
-irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem
A determination of death must be made: - in accordance with accordance with accepted medical
standards
Nurse's roles in ethical decision making include: - -agent for client facing an ethical decision:
adolescent child debating on abortion; parent contemplating blood transfusion even when against
religious beliefs
-decision maker in regard to nursing practice: increasing staff load due to shift cuts; witnessing a
surgeon discussion only surgical options without informing client of more conservative options
Entities with codes of ethics that may be used to guide nursing practice include: - -the American
Nurses Association (ANA)
-the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
-the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services, Inc.
By practicing nursing within the confines of the law, nurses are able to: - -shield oneself from
liability
-advocate for client's rights
-provide care that is within the nurse's scope of practice
-discern the responsibilities of nursing in relationship to the responsibilities of other members of
the health care team
-provide safe, competent care that is consistent with standards of care
Federal laws impacting nursing practice include: - -HIPAA
-ADA
-the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA)
-the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
Criminal law: - -is a subsection of public law
-relates to the relationship of an individual with the government
-ex: a nurse falsifies a record to cover up a serious mistake may be found guilty of breaking a
criminal law
Civil law: - -protect the individual rights of people
-one type that relates to the provision of nursing care is tort law
Types of unintentional torts - -Negligence
Health care regulatory agencies include: - -US Dept of Health and Human Srvcs
-US FDA
-State and local public health agencies
-State licensing boards (to ensure providers & agencies comply with state regulations)
-the Joint Commission/JCAHO (set quality standards for accreditation of health care facilities)
-Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs)
-Utilization review committees (monitor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of hospitalized
clients)
Clergy - Job: provide spiritual care to client (pastors, rabbis, priests)
Refer to when: the client requests communication or the family asks for prayer prior to client
undergoing a procedure
Registered dietitian - Job: assess, plan for, and educate the client reg. nutritional needs; direct
care of nutritional aids
Refer to when: ex- the client has low nutrient levels and/or experienced a recent unexplained
weight loss
Lab tech - Job: obtain specimens of the client's body fluids and perform the necessary diagnostic
tests
Refer to when: ex- the provider orders a CBC to be performed immediately
Occupational therapist - Job: assess and plan for the client to regain ADLs, esp motor skills of
the upper extremities; direct care of occupational therapy assistants
Refer to when: ex- client has difficulties using an eating utensil with dominate hand following a
stroke
Pharmacist - Job: provide & monitor meds for the client as prescribed by the provider; supervises
pharm techs in states in which the practice is allowed
Refer to when: client concerns over meds; dosage concerns; etc
Physical Therapist - Job: assess and plan for client to increase musculoskeletal functions, esp of
lower extremities, to maintain mobility; direct care of physical therapy assistants
Refer to when: ex- following a hip replacement, a client requires assistance learning to ambulate
and regain strength
,Provider - Job: assess, diagnose, and treat cllient for disease and/or injury; includes MDs, DOs,
APNs, and PAs
Refer to when: ex- client experiences change in vital signs
Rad Tech - Job: position client and perform x-rays and other imaging procedures for providers to
review for diagnosis of disorders of various body parts
Refer to when: ex- provider orders x-ray of client's hip after a fall
Respiratory therapist - Job: evaluate resp status and provide prescribed resp treatments including
O2 therapy, chest physiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and artificial mechanical ventilation
Refer to when: ex- client with resp disease experiences SOB and requests nebulizer treatment
that is ordered PRN
Social Worker - Job: work with client and client's family by coordinating inpatient and
community resources to meet psychosocial and environmental needs that are necessary for
recovery and/or discharge
Refer to when: ex- client dying of cancer wishes to go home but is unable to perform ADLs; the
spouse needs med equipment in the home to care for client
Speech therapist - Job: evaluate and make recommendations regarding the functions of speech,
language, and swallowing impacted by various client disorders or injuries; teach client
techniques and exercises to improve function when possible
Refer to when: ex- a client is having difficulty swallowing a regular diet after trauma to the head
and neck
Registered Nurse (RN) - -Functions under state nurse practice laws
-Perform assessments; establish nursing diagnoses, goals, and interventions; conducts ongoing
client evaluations
-Participate in developing interdisciplinary plans for client care
-Share best practices; continuing education
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - -Works under supervision of the RN
-Collaborate with other team members
-Possess technical knowledge and skills
-Participate in the delivery of nursing care, using the nursing process as a framework
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) - -Includes CNAs, CMAs, and non-nursing personnel
-Work under direct supervision of an RN or LPN
-Specific tasks usually outlined in position description
-Tasks may including feeding clients, preparing meals, lifting, basic care, measuring & recording
vital signs, and ambulating clients
,The foundation of ethics is based on: - an expected behavior of a certain group in relation to what
is considered right and wrong; it is the study of conduct and character
Morals are: - the values and beliefs held by people that guide their behaviors and decision
making
Ethical theory examines: - the different principles, ideas, systems, and philosophies used to make
judgments about what is right/wrong and good/bad
Ethical principles - standards of what is right/wrong with regard to important social values and
norms
Autonomy - ability of client to make personal decisions, even when those decisions may not be
in the client's best interest
Beneficence - agreement that the care given is in the best interest of the client; taking positive
actions to help others
Fidelity - agreement to keep one's promise to the client about care that was offered
Justice - fair treatment in matters related to physical and psychosocial care and use of resources
Nonmaleficence - avoidance of harm or pain as much as possible when giving treatments
Hospital's ethics committee - may meet to discuss/resolve unusual or complex ethical issues; not
a legal entity
Ethical dilemmas are: - problems about which more than one choice can be made and the choice
made is influenced by the values and beliefs of the decision makers
A problem is an ethical dilemma if: - -it cannot be solved solely by a review of scientific data
-it involves a conflict between two moral imperatives
-the answer will have a profound effect on the situation/client
Steps in ethical decision making - -identify whether or not the issue is indeed an ethical dilemma
-state the ethical dilemma including all surrounding issues and individuals involved
-list and analyze all possible options for resolving the dilemma and review implications of each
option
-select option that is in concert with the ethical principle applicable to this situation, the decision
maker's values and beliefs, and the profession's values set forth for client care; justify why
chosen over other options
-apply this decision to the dilemma and evaluate the outcomes
Advocacy - support of the cause of the client regarding health, safety, and personal rights
, Responsibility - willingness to respect obligations and follow through on promises
Accountability - ability to answer for one's own actions
Confidentiality - protection of privacy without diminishing access to quality care
According to the UDDA, death is determined by one of two criteria: - -an irreversible cessation
of circulatory and respiratory functions
-irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem
A determination of death must be made: - in accordance with accordance with accepted medical
standards
Nurse's roles in ethical decision making include: - -agent for client facing an ethical decision:
adolescent child debating on abortion; parent contemplating blood transfusion even when against
religious beliefs
-decision maker in regard to nursing practice: increasing staff load due to shift cuts; witnessing a
surgeon discussion only surgical options without informing client of more conservative options
Entities with codes of ethics that may be used to guide nursing practice include: - -the American
Nurses Association (ANA)
-the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
-the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Services, Inc.
By practicing nursing within the confines of the law, nurses are able to: - -shield oneself from
liability
-advocate for client's rights
-provide care that is within the nurse's scope of practice
-discern the responsibilities of nursing in relationship to the responsibilities of other members of
the health care team
-provide safe, competent care that is consistent with standards of care
Federal laws impacting nursing practice include: - -HIPAA
-ADA
-the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA)
-the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
Criminal law: - -is a subsection of public law
-relates to the relationship of an individual with the government
-ex: a nurse falsifies a record to cover up a serious mistake may be found guilty of breaking a
criminal law
Civil law: - -protect the individual rights of people
-one type that relates to the provision of nursing care is tort law
Types of unintentional torts - -Negligence
