Why would a reputable researcher use a secondary source instead of a primary one? (Select all that apply.)
a. The primary publication is written in a language not currently spoken.
b. The primary source person will not consent to be interviewed, but a person who knows the story secondhand will consent.
c. The primary publication is so steeped in jargon that it is very difficult to decipher.
d. The researcher has limited time and cannot squander it searching for primary sources.
e. The primary publication describes only the beginnings of a theory, and a later publication presents it in entirety.
f. There have never been any primary sources in this area.
g. The primary publication is no longer in print, and there are no extant copies.
ANS: A, B, C, E, G
The published literature contains primary and secondary sources. A primary source is written by the person who originated, or is responsible for generating, the ideas published. A research publication published by the person or people who conducted the research is a primary source. A theoretical book or paper written by the theorist who developed the theory or conceptual content is a primary source. A secondary source summarizes or quotes content from primary sources. Thus, authors of secondary sources paraphrase the works of researchers and theorists. The problem with a secondary source is that the author has interpreted the works of someone else, and this interpretation is influenced by that author's perception and bias. Authors have sometimes spread errors and misinterpretations by using secondary sources rather than primary sources. One should use mostly primary sources to write literature reviews. Secondary sources are used when primary sources cannot be located or utilized, or if a secondary source contains creative ideas or a unique organization of information not found in a primary source.
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After a class on global health and the role of community health nurses, which of the following, if stated by the class as an important area, would indicate successful teaching?
A) It is through community health nurses that the larger number of physicians do their work. B) Community health nurses work for lower wages than other professional health care groups. C) Community health nurses outnumber other professional groups for providing health services. D) Community health nurses are the primary group trusted by people in other countries for care.
A patient taking a drug for insomnia reports becoming sunburned even when only minimally exposed to the sun. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Ask the patient whether he or she usually burns when exposed to the sun. b. Instruct the patient to stop the drug and notify the prescriber immediately. c. Teach the patient to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. d. Document the report as the only action and reassure the patient that this problem is temporary.
The nurse is providing support to a family who is experiencing anticipatory grief related to their child's imminent death. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?
a. Be available to family. b. Attempt to "lighten the mood." c. Suggest activities to cheer up the family. d. Discourage crying until actual time of death.
The nurse has taken an employment position in a healthcare facility that advertises itself as being part of a network. What can the nurse expect in this organization?
1. This hospital is part of a vertically integrated corporation that owns and manages a group of health facilities. 2. This hospital is an independent organization, but is in agreement with a number of other healthcare facilities that agree to deliver specific services. 3. This hospital has agreed to provide a continuum of services to a defined population and to be accountable for the outcomes and health status of that population. 4. This hospital has joined with another hospital to become one organization.