Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Leadership, Consultation, and Professional Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CNS competency is focused on navigating complex systems, facilitating change, and improving organizational outcomes?
- Direct care
- Consultation
- Systems leadership (Correct answer)
- Coaching
Correct answer: Systems leadership
Systems leadership is the CNS competency focused on navigating complex organizational systems, facilitating change, and improving outcomes.
Question 2: Under most state Nurse Practice Acts, which activity requires prescriptive authority beyond standard RN licensure?
- Comprehensive patient education
- Prescribing controlled substances without prescriptive authority (Correct answer)
- Performing a comprehensive physical assessment
- Care coordination and discharge planning
Correct answer: Prescribing controlled substances without prescriptive authority
Prescribing controlled substances requires prescriptive authority granted by state licensing boards; without it, a physician order is required.
Question 3: A CNS is implementing a falls prevention bundle. Which approach is most likely to sustain the practice change long-term?
- One-time staff in-service training
- Regular auditing, feedback loops, and ongoing staff engagement (Correct answer)
- Posting reminder signs in patient rooms
- Relying on new staff to model the behavior
Correct answer: Regular auditing, feedback loops, and ongoing staff engagement
Sustained practice change requires ongoing monitoring through audits, staff feedback loops, and continuous engagement to maintain improvements.
Question 4: A CNS serves as a clinical expert witness in a malpractice case. Which type of legal liability is being evaluated?
- Administrative law violation
- Civil liability for negligence (Correct answer)
- Criminal liability
- Regulatory non-compliance
Correct answer: Civil liability for negligence
Expert witnesses in malpractice cases address civil liability, where negligence (breach of duty causing harm) must be established by evidence.
Question 5: What does NACNS define as the primary purpose of the CNS role?
- Replacing physician services in specialty areas
- Improving outcomes for patients, nurses, and health systems (Correct answer)
- Reducing nursing staffing costs through advanced practice
- Conducting nursing research exclusively
Correct answer: Improving outcomes for patients, nurses, and health systems
Per NACNS, the CNS exists to improve patient outcomes, enhance nursing practice, and optimize health system performance across three spheres.
Question 6: Which approach best demonstrates the CNS role in the nurse and nursing practice sphere?
- Directly managing a complex wound debridement
- Providing continuing education and clinical guidance to bedside nurses (Correct answer)
- Writing a federal research grant proposal
- Meeting with hospital administration about budget cuts
Correct answer: Providing continuing education and clinical guidance to bedside nurses
In the nurses/nursing practice sphere, the CNS advances nursing knowledge and skills through education, mentoring, and expert clinical guidance.
Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Leadership, Consultation, and Professional Practice 2
Which CNS competency is focused on navigating complex systems, facilitating change, and improving organizational outcomes?