,Chapter 1 — Section: Scope of Nursing Practice; Title:
Standards of Practice & Standards of Professional
Performance
Stem: A charge nurse is asked to explain to new hires what
“scope of practice” means for registered nurses. Which
statement best describes scope of practice?
A. The tasks an employer permits a nurse to perform in that
workplace.
B. The legal, professional, and regulatory boundaries that define
nursing practice.
C. A list of procedures nurses may perform without supervision.
D. The hospital policies that determine nursing responsibilities.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: The scope of practice is defined by laws, professional
standards, and regulatory bodies that set the boundaries for
nursing practice; it transcends individual employer policies.
A: Employer policies shape role expectations but cannot expand
or replace legal/professional scope.
C: A procedure list is too narrow; scope includes judgment,
responsibility, and professional standards, not only tasks.
D: Hospital policies are local guides but must align with broader
legal and professional standards.
Teaching Point: Scope of practice is set by law and professional
standards, not just employer rules.
, 2.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of Practice
(The Nursing Process)
Stem: During a unit orientation, which statement most
accurately reflects the relationship between the ANA Standards
of Practice and the nursing process?
A. The Standards are optional guidelines that supplement the
nursing process.
B. The Standards operationalize the nursing process into six
professional standards.
C. The nursing process replaces the Standards of Practice in
clinical settings.
D. The Standards relate only to advanced practice nurses, not
the nursing process.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: The ANA Standards translate the nursing process
(assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning,
implementation, evaluation) into professional practice
expectations.
A: Standards are authoritative expectations, not optional
suggestions.
C: The nursing process and Standards are complementary; one
does not replace the other.
, D: Standards apply across nursing roles and levels, not just
advanced practice nurses.
Teaching Point: The Standards formalize the nursing process
into professional expectations.
3.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of
Professional Performance
Stem: A nurse is evaluating her own practice against the
Standards of Professional Performance. Which area should she
assess?
A. Only clinical procedures performed.
B. Clinical competence, ethics, and quality improvement
activities.
C. Salary benchmarks and benefits.
D. Patient satisfaction scores exclusively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Standards of Professional Performance include ethics,
quality of practice, education, competence, communication,
leadership, and resource utilization.
A: Clinical procedures are part of practice but do not capture
professional performance fully.
C: Compensation is not a professional performance standard.
Standards of Practice & Standards of Professional
Performance
Stem: A charge nurse is asked to explain to new hires what
“scope of practice” means for registered nurses. Which
statement best describes scope of practice?
A. The tasks an employer permits a nurse to perform in that
workplace.
B. The legal, professional, and regulatory boundaries that define
nursing practice.
C. A list of procedures nurses may perform without supervision.
D. The hospital policies that determine nursing responsibilities.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: The scope of practice is defined by laws, professional
standards, and regulatory bodies that set the boundaries for
nursing practice; it transcends individual employer policies.
A: Employer policies shape role expectations but cannot expand
or replace legal/professional scope.
C: A procedure list is too narrow; scope includes judgment,
responsibility, and professional standards, not only tasks.
D: Hospital policies are local guides but must align with broader
legal and professional standards.
Teaching Point: Scope of practice is set by law and professional
standards, not just employer rules.
, 2.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of Practice
(The Nursing Process)
Stem: During a unit orientation, which statement most
accurately reflects the relationship between the ANA Standards
of Practice and the nursing process?
A. The Standards are optional guidelines that supplement the
nursing process.
B. The Standards operationalize the nursing process into six
professional standards.
C. The nursing process replaces the Standards of Practice in
clinical settings.
D. The Standards relate only to advanced practice nurses, not
the nursing process.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: The ANA Standards translate the nursing process
(assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning,
implementation, evaluation) into professional practice
expectations.
A: Standards are authoritative expectations, not optional
suggestions.
C: The nursing process and Standards are complementary; one
does not replace the other.
, D: Standards apply across nursing roles and levels, not just
advanced practice nurses.
Teaching Point: The Standards formalize the nursing process
into professional expectations.
3.
Chapter Reference: Chapter 1 — Section: Standards of
Professional Performance
Stem: A nurse is evaluating her own practice against the
Standards of Professional Performance. Which area should she
assess?
A. Only clinical procedures performed.
B. Clinical competence, ethics, and quality improvement
activities.
C. Salary benchmarks and benefits.
D. Patient satisfaction scores exclusively.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Standards of Professional Performance include ethics,
quality of practice, education, competence, communication,
leadership, and resource utilization.
A: Clinical procedures are part of practice but do not capture
professional performance fully.
C: Compensation is not a professional performance standard.
