Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of equity within an organizational framework?

1. It is value-based.

2. It reflects accountability.

3. It is inclusive, suggesting ownership.

4. It involves vertical relationships.

The correct answer is: It involves vertical relationships.

Equity within an organizational framework is understood as ensuring fairness and justice in practices and policies that affect individuals and groups. It emphasizes the inclusion and acknowledgment of diverse perspectives and equal access to opportunities. The characteristic that is correct in this context is that it involves vertical relationships. While vertical relationships in an organization can illustrate the structure of authority and hierarchy, equity focuses more on horizontal relationships promoting cooperation, collaboration, and shared responsibility among members of the organization. The other characteristics, such as being value-based, reflecting accountability, and being inclusive, align more closely with the principles of equity, emphasizing fairness, the ethical treatment of individuals, and fostering a sense of belonging and participation. Thus, equity is more concerned with how relationships and structures facilitate fair outcomes rather than maintaining strict vertical hierarchies.