,Chapter 1 — Nursing Today — Nursing as a profession
Key Concept: Definitions and characteristics of a profession
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Which characteristic best distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than an occupation?
Options:
A. A wide variety of employment settings
B. Systematic body of knowledge and professional
regulation
C. Opportunity for shift flexibility and part-time work
D. Direct, task-oriented patient care responsibilities
Correct Answer: B — Systematic body of knowledge and
professional regulation
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nursing’s status as a profession
rests on a systematic knowledge base, formal education,
and regulatory oversight (licensure, standards). (Potter et
al., Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). Link: ANA
Scope & Standards—Standards of Professional
Performance (professional practice).
A (incorrect): Many occupations have varied settings; that
alone does not make a profession.
B (incorrect): Shift flexibility is an employment feature, not
a defining professional characteristic.
C (incorrect): Direct patient care is a role feature but does
not distinguish profession vs. occupation.
, D (incorrect): Task orientation is common across many jobs
and not unique to a profession.
Teaching Point: Professional status requires education,
knowledge, regulation.
2. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing Today — Historical influences
Key Concept: Florence Nightingale’s contributions
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: A nurse explains to students that Florence
Nightingale’s primary historical contribution was:
Options:
A. Establishing the first nursing licensure exam
B. Documenting the link between sanitation and patient
outcomes
C. Creating standardized nursing school curricula in the
U.S.
D. Founding the American Nurses Association (ANA)
Correct Answer: B — Documenting the link between
sanitation and patient outcomes
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nightingale’s data collection and
advocacy linked sanitation and mortality, establishing
evidence-based public health practices foundational to
modern nursing (Potter et al., Fundamentals of Nursing,
12th Ed., Ch. 1). Link: History of nursing and evidence-
, based practice.
A (incorrect): Formal licensure developed later and was
not Nightingale’s direct contribution.
C (incorrect): Standardized U.S. curricula evolved over time
and were not created by Nightingale.
D (incorrect): The ANA was formed later in U.S. nursing
history, not by Nightingale.
Teaching Point: Nightingale emphasized sanitation and
data-driven care.
3. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing Today — Contemporary influences
Key Concept: Impact of technology on nursing practice
Nursing Process: Implementation
Stem: Which example best illustrates how contemporary
technology affects nursing implementation of care?
Options:
A. Nurses attending professional association meetings in
person
B. Electronic health records enabling immediate access to
patient data at bedside
C. Hospitals increasing the number of surgical suites
D. Nursing textbooks including more historical photos
Correct Answer: B — Electronic health records enabling
immediate access to patient data at bedside
Rationale:
Key Concept: Definitions and characteristics of a profession
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Which characteristic best distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than an occupation?
Options:
A. A wide variety of employment settings
B. Systematic body of knowledge and professional
regulation
C. Opportunity for shift flexibility and part-time work
D. Direct, task-oriented patient care responsibilities
Correct Answer: B — Systematic body of knowledge and
professional regulation
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nursing’s status as a profession
rests on a systematic knowledge base, formal education,
and regulatory oversight (licensure, standards). (Potter et
al., Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). Link: ANA
Scope & Standards—Standards of Professional
Performance (professional practice).
A (incorrect): Many occupations have varied settings; that
alone does not make a profession.
B (incorrect): Shift flexibility is an employment feature, not
a defining professional characteristic.
C (incorrect): Direct patient care is a role feature but does
not distinguish profession vs. occupation.
, D (incorrect): Task orientation is common across many jobs
and not unique to a profession.
Teaching Point: Professional status requires education,
knowledge, regulation.
2. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing Today — Historical influences
Key Concept: Florence Nightingale’s contributions
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: A nurse explains to students that Florence
Nightingale’s primary historical contribution was:
Options:
A. Establishing the first nursing licensure exam
B. Documenting the link between sanitation and patient
outcomes
C. Creating standardized nursing school curricula in the
U.S.
D. Founding the American Nurses Association (ANA)
Correct Answer: B — Documenting the link between
sanitation and patient outcomes
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nightingale’s data collection and
advocacy linked sanitation and mortality, establishing
evidence-based public health practices foundational to
modern nursing (Potter et al., Fundamentals of Nursing,
12th Ed., Ch. 1). Link: History of nursing and evidence-
, based practice.
A (incorrect): Formal licensure developed later and was
not Nightingale’s direct contribution.
C (incorrect): Standardized U.S. curricula evolved over time
and were not created by Nightingale.
D (incorrect): The ANA was formed later in U.S. nursing
history, not by Nightingale.
Teaching Point: Nightingale emphasized sanitation and
data-driven care.
3. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing Today — Contemporary influences
Key Concept: Impact of technology on nursing practice
Nursing Process: Implementation
Stem: Which example best illustrates how contemporary
technology affects nursing implementation of care?
Options:
A. Nurses attending professional association meetings in
person
B. Electronic health records enabling immediate access to
patient data at bedside
C. Hospitals increasing the number of surgical suites
D. Nursing textbooks including more historical photos
Correct Answer: B — Electronic health records enabling
immediate access to patient data at bedside
Rationale:
