Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

Which of the following biases may affect patient care?

1. Perception of patient cooperation.

2. Judgment based on socioeconomic status.

3. Personal attitudes towards lifestyles.

4. All of the above.

The correct answer is: All of the above.

Bias in healthcare can significantly influence the quality of patient care and the decisions made by healthcare professionals. The correct choice indicates a comprehensive understanding that multiple forms of bias can be at play. The perception of a patient's cooperation is essential because if a healthcare worker assumes a patient is non-compliant or uncooperative based on preconceived notions, they might not fully engage the patient in their care. This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of tailored treatment. Judgment based on socioeconomic status can also skew the care patients receive. If a healthcare provider unconsciously values some patients' needs over others due to their financial background, this can lead to disparities in care, medication access, and overall treatment outcomes. Personal attitudes towards lifestyles, such as habits related to diet, exercise, or substance use, can affect how healthcare providers interact with patients. Negative biases about a patient's lifestyle can lead to judgmental attitudes and hinder open communication, ultimately affecting the provider's willingness to provide unbiased support and education that patients need. Recognizing that all these factors can contribute to the biases in healthcare highlights the complexity of patient-provider interactions and underlines the importance of cultural competence, empathy, and awareness in delivering effective, equitable care.