Deck 7: Social Context and the Future of Professional Nursing

Question 1

How can you, as a student nurse, tell members of society what professional nurses do?

Answer 1

As a student nurse, you can inform members of society about what professional nurses do by highlighting the following key aspects of nursing:

1. Patient Care: Explain that nurses provide holistic care to patients, which includes not only addressing physical health needs but also considering the emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of each individual. Nurses assess patients' conditions, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and assist with daily activities that patients may struggle with due to illness or injury.

2. Education and Advocacy: Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and their families about health conditions, treatment plans, and healthy lifestyle choices. They also advocate for patients' needs and rights, ensuring that they receive appropriate care and that their voices are heard within the healthcare system.

3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Describe how nurses use critical thinking to assess patient situations and make informed decisions about care. They must quickly identify changes in a patient's condition and respond with appropriate interventions.

4. Collaboration: Emphasize that nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive care plans.

5. Leadership and Management: Nurses often take on leadership roles, supervising other healthcare staff, managing resources, and coordinating care across different services.

6. Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Inform society that nurses contribute to healthcare research, helping to develop new treatments and protocols. They also use evidence-based practice to ensure that the care they provide is based on the latest scientific evidence.

7. Public Health and Community Involvement: Nurses are involved in public health initiatives, such as vaccination programs, health screenings, and education campaigns. They work in the community to promote health and prevent disease.

8. Lifelong Learning: Nurses are committed to lifelong learning to stay current with medical advancements and to continuously improve their skills.

9. Emotional Support: Nurses often provide emotional support to patients and families during some of the most challenging times of their lives. They are there to listen, comfort, and offer compassion.

10. Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: Nurses adhere to a strict code of ethics and legal standards, ensuring that patient care is conducted with respect for human dignity and is in compliance with healthcare laws and regulations.

By discussing these points, you can give society a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of professional nurses and the vital contributions they make to healthcare and community well-being.

Question 2

What advantages do women have in nursing? What advantages do men have in the profession? What are the risks of being gender exclusive?

Answer 2

Women have several advantages in the nursing profession. They are often seen as more nurturing and empathetic, which can help them build strong relationships with patients and provide compassionate care. Additionally, women may have better communication skills, which are essential for effectively interacting with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

On the other hand, men in nursing may have certain advantages as well. They may be perceived as physically stronger, which can be beneficial when providing hands-on patient care or assisting with lifting and transferring patients. Additionally, men may bring a different perspective to the profession and help diversify the nursing workforce.

However, there are risks associated with being gender exclusive in the nursing profession. By limiting the profession to only one gender, we miss out on the unique strengths and perspectives that individuals of different genders can bring to the table. This can lead to a lack of diversity in the profession and may limit the overall effectiveness of patient care. It's important to recognize and value the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their gender, in the nursing profession in order to provide the best possible care for patients.

Question 3

What barriers to health care do you see in your community? How are the underprivileged served in our current healthcare system?

Answer 3

In my community, I see several barriers to health care, particularly for the underprivileged. One major barrier is the lack of access to affordable health insurance. Many individuals and families in my community cannot afford health insurance, which limits their ability to seek regular medical care and preventive services. Additionally, there is a shortage of healthcare facilities and providers in certain areas, making it difficult for residents to access necessary medical care.

The underprivileged in our current healthcare system are often served through government-funded programs such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs provide low-cost or free health coverage to eligible individuals and families with limited incomes. Community health centers also play a crucial role in serving the underprivileged by offering affordable primary care services, regardless of a person's ability to pay.

However, despite these efforts, there are still gaps in healthcare coverage and access for the underprivileged in our community. Many individuals still fall through the cracks and are unable to receive the care they need. Addressing these barriers to health care requires a comprehensive approach that includes expanding access to affordable insurance, increasing the number of healthcare providers in underserved areas, and improving the overall affordability of medical care. It is essential to advocate for policies and programs that prioritize the health and well-being of all members of our community, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Question 4

As people age and experience health problems, their needs are often more complex and acute, thereby demanding an even more highly skilled nursing workforce. Considering the projections related to the nursing shortage, who will provide these healthcare services? Who will care for the old?

Question 5

How do changes in nursing education reflect nursing's responsibility in the context of the social contract discussed earlier in this chapter?

Question 6

Based on the trends and recommendations presented in this chapter, what do you think nursing education will look like in 2025? What do you think the profession of nursing will look like in the year 2025?

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who is Hispanic and has diabetes. Which of the following outcomes is to be expected as the nurse demonstrates cultural competence in the implementation of the plan of care?

A) Reduction in patient care error
B) Increase in access to health care
C) Increase in satisfaction with health care
D) All of these are correct.

Question 8

Which of the following should the nurse speaking at a community gathering do to promote the real image of nursing?

A) Respond to questions with fictitious stories to protect confidentiality.
B) Speak in generalities and omit the details.
C) Use nursing jargon as she tells stories to demonstrate her special knowledge.
D) All of these are correct.
E) None of these is correct.

Question 9

A nurse is experiencing dissatisfaction and contemplating leaving her job at an acute healthcare facility. Which of the following is the best action to prevent further job dissatisfaction?

A) Learn to deal with stress in the current practice environment.
B) Apply for a transfer to a different unit in the facility.
C) Apply for a promotion within the organization.
D) Learn to deal with stress in the current practice environment and apply for a promotion within the organization.
E) Apply for a transfer to a different unit in the facility and apply for a promotion within the organization.

Question 10

Which factor poses the greatest threat to health status?

A) Family history
B) Poverty
C) Mental illness
D) Location
E) None of these is correct.

Question 11

Which of the following is an expectation that consumers of health care should expect as expressed in the Patient Care Partnership?

A) A clean and safe environment
B) Involvement in their own care
C) Protection of their privacy
D) Help with their bill and filing insurance claims
E) All of these are correct.

Question 12

The nurses on your unit are experiencing job-related stress. Which of the following factors is most likely to decrease stress among the nurses on your unit?

A) Increasing patient acuity
B) Creating predictable workflow patterns
C) The perception that the care provided is unsafe
D) All of these are correct.
E) None of these is correct.

Question 13

A nurse working on a busy surgical unit has been expected to assume, in a condensed time frame, additional, unplanned responsibilities while simultaneously conducting other multiple responsibilities. Which of the following best describes this phenomenon?

A) Stacking load
B) Complexity compression
C) Flexibility compensation
D) Multitask recompense

Question 14

The ANA developed a booklet to help nurses recognize, understand, and deal with which issue in the workplace?

A) Violence
B) Bullying
C) Mental illnesses
D) Consumerism

Question 15

While advocating for healthcare policy change for the next decade, the nurse should be aware of the impact of global aging on the healthcare system. Which option describes that impact?

A) Increased prevalence of chronic disease
B) Increased funding required to care for persons who have chronic disease
C) Increased numbers of nurses required to provide care
D) All of these are correct.
E) None of these is correct.

Question 16

While advocating for healthcare policy change for the next decade, the nurse should be aware of projected trends in nursing. Which of the following describes those trends?

A) Nurse shortage
B) Nurse faculty shortage
C) Decrease in the complexity of nursing work
D) Nurse faculty shortage and a decrease in the complexity of nursing work
E) Nurse shortage and nurse faculty shortage