A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill and receiving nutritional support. The client's adult children disagree about continuing nutritional support. The dilemma is referred to the ethics committee. Which of the following actions should the nurse expect the committee to take?

The correct answer is choice D: Explore alternative solutions to address unit workflow with the nurses.

Choice A rationale:

Scheduling the nurses to work on alternating shifts (Choice A) might alleviate the immediate conflict, but it doesn't address the root cause of the issue, which is their perceived unequal workload. This approach could also disrupt the unit's continuity of care and potentially lead to further conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Organizing a task force to evaluate the situation (Choice B) could be beneficial in the long run for identifying systemic issues contributing to the conflict. However, this approach might take time to yield results. In the meantime, the conflict could continue to negatively impact the unit's functioning.

Choice C rationale:

Telling the nurses that it's their responsibility to cooperate with coworkers (Choice C) is oversimplifying the situation. While cooperation is important, conflicts often arise from deeper issues that need to be addressed constructively. This choice doesn't provide a clear plan for resolving the workload disparity.

Choice D rationale:

Exploring alternative solutions to address unit workflow with the nurses (Choice D) is the most effective approach. By engaging the nurses in problem-solving discussions, the charge nurse can identify the reasons behind their perception of unfair workload distribution and collaboratively develop strategies to ensure a more equitable division of tasks. This approach promotes communication, collaboration, and shared accountability.

Choice A rationale:

The National League for Nursing (NLN) focuses on nursing education standards and resources for nursing faculty. While it could provide useful insights, it's not the primary resource for policy creation related to procedures like catheter insertion.

Choice B rationale:

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is a professional organization that promotes leadership and education within nursing. While it might offer recommendations, it's not the primary resource for policy related to procedural changes in clinical settings.

Choice C rationale:

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is involved in research and quality improvement initiatives in healthcare. While it could provide evidence-based practices, it's not the primary source for policies specific to nursing procedures.

Choice D rationale:

The State Nurse Practice Act (NPA) outlines the scope of nursing practice within a particular state. It governs what nurses are allowed to do, including procedures like catheter insertion. The NPA ensures that nursing actions are within legal and regulatory bounds, making it the most relevant resource for creating a policy about catheter insertion.