A newly licensed nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter in a client. Which of the following sources should the nurse use to review the procedure and the standard at which it should be performed?

Choice A reason: Utilizing individual expertise while sharing responsibility ensures that all team members are involved in problem-solving and that no single person is burdened with the outcome. This approach aligns with the principles of shared decision-making, which emphasize collaboration and collective accountability.

Choice B reason: Shared decision-making aims to reduce skepticism by involving staff in the decision-making process, thereby increasing buy-in and the likelihood of success. Widespread skepticism would suggest a failure in the decision-making process.

Choice C reason: In a shared decision-making model, accountability does not rest solely with the unit manager. Instead, it is distributed among all individuals involved in the decision-making process.

Choice D reason: The statement that no one has any accountability or responsibility for the changes is incorrect. Shared decision-making requires that all participants take responsibility for the decisions made and their outcomes.

Choice A reason: Accreditation standards are typically external factors set by accrediting bodies that healthcare organizations must meet to ensure quality and safety. These standards influence staffing indirectly by setting the benchmarks for care that staff must achieve, but they are not considered internal factors.

Choice B reason: State regulations are external factors imposed by government bodies. They can dictate staffing ratios, qualifications, and other requirements that healthcare organizations must follow. Like accreditation standards, they influence staffing but are not internal to the organization.

Choice C reason: The availability of agency staff is an external resource that healthcare organizations can utilize to fill staffing gaps. While their use affects the internal staffing levels, the pool of agency staff and the decision to use them are external to the organization's internal workforce management.

Choice D reason: Patient acuity refers to the level of care and attention required by patients based on the severity of their conditions. It is an internal factor because it directly impacts the number and type of staff needed on a given day or shift within the healthcare organization. Higher acuity patients will require more intensive care and more specialized staff, thus impacting staffing decisions and allocations internally.