A mediator suggested that the nurse manager and staff members decide on a method to resolve conflicts. It is important to have agreements about how team members will work together because:

Choice A reason: Asking Nurse A to explain her position is important for understanding her concerns. However, it does not immediately address the issue of equitable patient care, which is the priority.

Choice B reason: While flexibility can be important, allowing personal preferences to dictate patient assignments can lead to a slippery slope of discriminatory practices. Patient care should not be compromised by personal biases.

Choice C reason: Insisting on switching back to the original assignments without addressing the underlying issue may not resolve the conflict or lead to better patient care in the long term.

Choice D reason: This is the most appropriate first action as it addresses the core principle of nursing care — providing compassionate care to all patients. It sets a standard for professional behavior and ensures that personal feelings do not interfere with patient care.

Choice A reason: This choice suggests a negative view of human nature that is not constructive for conflict resolution. It is not typically the role of a mediator to assume that people are inherently difficult.

Choice B reason: The goal of conflict resolution is not to eliminate team members but to find ways to work together effectively. This choice does not reflect a healthy approach to resolving team conflicts.

Choice C reason: This choice recognizes the importance of having clear agreements or protocols in place to guide team members in resolving conflicts. Without such agreements, there is a risk of inconsistency and further conflict, making this the most appropriate answer.

Choice D reason: While it is true that people may seek agreements, this choice does not directly address the issue of conflict resolution within a team. It is more about the desire for harmony rather than a method for resolving conflicts.