,Chapter 1 — Nursing Today
1. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing as a Profession
Key Concept: Characteristics of a profession
ANA Standard(s): Standards of Practice — Assessment
(when relevant)
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Which characteristic best distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than an occupation?
Options:
A. Employment in a hospital setting
B. Completion of tasks delegated by physicians
C. A formal body of specialized knowledge and a code of
ethics
D. Working shifts that include nights and weekends
Correct Answer: C — A formal body of specialized
knowledge and a code of ethics
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Professional status requires a
systematic body of knowledge and an ethical framework
that guides autonomous practice; nursing meets these
criteria (Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). This
underpins accountability and clinical judgment in the
Standards of Practice.
A (incorrect): Hospital employment is common but not
unique to professions.
, B (incorrect): Performing delegated tasks alone reflects
role activities, not professional status.
D (incorrect): Shift work is a work condition, not a defining
characteristic of a profession.
Teaching Point: Profession = specialized knowledge + ethics
+ autonomy.
2. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Historical Influences on Nursing
Key Concept: Florence Nightingale’s contributions
ANA Standard(s): Professional Performance — Education
(contextual)
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Florence Nightingale is most credited with which
foundational influence on modern nursing?
Options:
A. Establishing the first nursing licensure exam
B. Advocating for sanitation and collecting health data to
improve outcomes
C. Creating formalized graduate-level nursing education
D. Introducing medication administration protocols for
hospitals
Correct Answer: B — Advocating for sanitation and
collecting health data to improve outcomes
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nightingale emphasized
, environmental sanitation and systematic data collection to
reduce mortality—cornerstones of modern nursing
practice (Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). Her
work laid the groundwork for evidence-informed practice.
A (incorrect): Licensure developed later through state
boards, not Nightingale herself.
C (incorrect): Graduate-level programs emerged much later
in nursing history.
D (incorrect): Medication protocols have evolved over
time; Nightingale’s major influence was environmental and
statistical.
Teaching Point: Nightingale = sanitation, data, and
evidence-based improvements.
3. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Historical Influences on Nursing
Key Concept: Evolution of nursing education
ANA Standard(s): Professional Performance — Education
Nursing Process: Planning
Stem: Which historical development most directly led to
the transition from hospital-based diploma programs to
collegiate nursing education?
Options:
A. The discovery of antibiotics
B. The establishment of nursing research and professional
standards
1. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Nursing as a Profession
Key Concept: Characteristics of a profession
ANA Standard(s): Standards of Practice — Assessment
(when relevant)
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Which characteristic best distinguishes nursing as a
profession rather than an occupation?
Options:
A. Employment in a hospital setting
B. Completion of tasks delegated by physicians
C. A formal body of specialized knowledge and a code of
ethics
D. Working shifts that include nights and weekends
Correct Answer: C — A formal body of specialized
knowledge and a code of ethics
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Professional status requires a
systematic body of knowledge and an ethical framework
that guides autonomous practice; nursing meets these
criteria (Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). This
underpins accountability and clinical judgment in the
Standards of Practice.
A (incorrect): Hospital employment is common but not
unique to professions.
, B (incorrect): Performing delegated tasks alone reflects
role activities, not professional status.
D (incorrect): Shift work is a work condition, not a defining
characteristic of a profession.
Teaching Point: Profession = specialized knowledge + ethics
+ autonomy.
2. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Historical Influences on Nursing
Key Concept: Florence Nightingale’s contributions
ANA Standard(s): Professional Performance — Education
(contextual)
Nursing Process: Assessment
Stem: Florence Nightingale is most credited with which
foundational influence on modern nursing?
Options:
A. Establishing the first nursing licensure exam
B. Advocating for sanitation and collecting health data to
improve outcomes
C. Creating formalized graduate-level nursing education
D. Introducing medication administration protocols for
hospitals
Correct Answer: B — Advocating for sanitation and
collecting health data to improve outcomes
Rationale:
Correct (2–3 sentences): Nightingale emphasized
, environmental sanitation and systematic data collection to
reduce mortality—cornerstones of modern nursing
practice (Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Ed., Ch. 1). Her
work laid the groundwork for evidence-informed practice.
A (incorrect): Licensure developed later through state
boards, not Nightingale herself.
C (incorrect): Graduate-level programs emerged much later
in nursing history.
D (incorrect): Medication protocols have evolved over
time; Nightingale’s major influence was environmental and
statistical.
Teaching Point: Nightingale = sanitation, data, and
evidence-based improvements.
3. Question /stem
Chapter 1 — Historical Influences on Nursing
Key Concept: Evolution of nursing education
ANA Standard(s): Professional Performance — Education
Nursing Process: Planning
Stem: Which historical development most directly led to
the transition from hospital-based diploma programs to
collegiate nursing education?
Options:
A. The discovery of antibiotics
B. The establishment of nursing research and professional
standards
