,Blais/Hayes, Test Item File for Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and
Perspectives, 7e
Chapter 1: Beginning the Journey
Question 1
Which societal changes have promoted the nurse’s return to school and further
education? (Select all that apply.)
1. Patients have increasingly more complex and varied health needs.
2. Previously unknown diseases are being identified.
3. New technologies are being developed that require continual knowledge updates.
4. Patients are staying longer in the hospital.
5. There is a relative increase in the number of children in the population.
Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
Rationale: Changes in society have placed new demands on nurses. The population is
aging and these older patients have more complex and varied health problems. New
diseases related to social and environmental problems are being identified. Scientific
discoveries and new technologies require the nurse to continually update his or her
knowledge base in order to provide safe and competent care. Patients are going home
from the hospital earlier (not staying longer), so much more care is being provided in
community and outpatient settings. The population is aging so there is not a relative
increase in the number of children in the population.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
QSEN Competencies: VI.C.1. Appreciate the necessity for all health professionals to
seek lifelong, continuous learning of information technology skills.
AACN Essential Competencies: I.9. Value the ideal of lifelong learning to support
excellence in nursing practice.
NLN Competencies: Context and Environment; Knowledge; Impact of continual
knowledge explosion and constant evolution of technology.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Planning; Nursing Process
Learning Outcome: 1. Examine changes in society that promotes the nurse’s return to
school for further education.
Page Number: p. 1
Question 2
Which statement regarding age trends of RNs is correct?
1. The average age of persons holding RN licensure has remained the same for the last 10
years.
2. The average age of male RN graduates is decreasing while the age for female RN
graduates is increasing.
3. The average age of RN graduates has increased.
4. Overall, the average age of practicing RNs has decreased.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The average age of RNs has increased. In 2000, the average age of RNs was
45.2 years; in 2013, the average age of RNs had increased to 50 years. There is no
information in the text regarding age as it applies to gender.
,Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
QSEN Competencies: VI.C.1. Appreciate the necessity for all health professionals to
seek lifelong, continuous learning of information technology skills.
AACN Essential Competencies: I.9. Value the ideal of lifelong learning to support
excellence in nursing practice.
NLN Competencies: Context and Environment; Knowledge; Impact of continual
knowledge explosion and constant evolution of technology.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Assessment; Nursing Process
Learning Outcome: 2. Examine changes in the profession that promotes the nurse’s
return to school for further education.
Page Number: p. 2
Question 3
According to the 2013 National Workforce Survey, what is the highest level of
educational preparation for the majority of RNs?
1. Diploma
2. Associate degree
3. Baccalaureate degree
4. Master’s degree
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: According to The 2013 National Nursing Workforce Survey of Registered
Nurses by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and The Forum of State
Nursing Workforce Centers, 8% of nurses hold a diploma, 29% of nurses hold an
associate degree, 36% of nurses hold a baccalaureate degree, and 13.9% of nurses hold a
master’s or doctoral degree as their highest level of educational preparation.
Cognitive Level: Remembering
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
QSEN Competencies: VI.C.1. Appreciate the necessity for all health professionals to
seek lifelong, continuous learning of information technology skills.
AACN Essential Competencies: I.9. Value the ideal of lifelong learning to support
excellence in nursing practice.
NLN Competencies: Context and Environment; Knowledge; Impact of continual
knowledge explosion and constant evolution of technology.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Assessment; Nursing Process
Learning Outcome: 2. Examine changes in the profession that promotes the nurse’s
return to school for further education.
Page Number: pp. 3–4
Question 4
How have the practice settings for nurses changed since 1980?
1. There has been little or no change in these settings.
2. The settings have shifted from the community to the hospital.
3. There has been a shift from the hospital to long-term care settings.
, 4. They have shifted from acute-care to community or primary care settings.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The focus of professional nursing practice is shifting from acute hospital-
based illness care to primary outpatient-based community care, emphasizing health
promotion and illness/injury preventions. The percentage of RNs working in hospitals
decreased from 66% in 1980 to 56.2% in 2004.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
QSEN Competencies: VI.C.1. Appreciate the necessity for all health professionals to
seek lifelong, continuous learning of information technology skills.
AACN Essential Competencies: II.3. Demonstrate an awareness of complex
organizational systems.
NLN Competencies: Context and Environment; Knowledge; Impact of continual
knowledge explosion and constant evolution of technology.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Planning; Nursing Process
Learning Outcome: 2. Examine changes in the profession that promotes the nurse’s
return to school for further education.
Page Number: p. 2
Question 5
What statement about specialty certification in nursing is true?
1. Specialty certification guarantees increase in salary for the nurse.
2. Healthcare agencies rarely recognize certifications by nursing specialty groups.
3. The nurse who works in hospital practice must hold at least one specialty certification.
4. The nurse must demonstrate extensive experience and continuing education in the
specialty area.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: To be eligible to take the certification exam, the nurse must demonstrate
extensive experience and continuing education in the specialty area. Although there is no
guarantee that the nurse’s salary will be increased, healthcare agencies do recognize these
certifications. There is no requirement that the nurse hold a specialty certification to work
in a hospital; however, work in specialty areas, such as the emergency department,
critical care areas, or surgery, may require certification.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
QSEN Competencies: VI.C.1. Appreciate the necessity for all health professionals to
seek lifelong, continuous learning of information technology skills.
AACN Essential Competencies: I.9. Value the ideal of lifelong learning to support
excellence in nursing practice.
NLN Competencies: Context and Environment; Knowledge; Impact of continual
knowledge explosion and constant evolution of technology
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Assessment; Nursing Process
Learning Outcome: 2. Examine changes in the profession that promotes the nurse’s
return to school for further education.
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