During an evening shift on a medical unit, the only nurse on the unit is busy with an unstable client. The unit clerk, who is also both a certified medication aide and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), reports to the nurse that a healthcare provider is on the telephone and wishes to prescribe an as needed (PRN) dose of an oral over-the-counter laxative for a client who is constipated. Which instruction should the nurse provide the unit clerk?

Choice A Reason: This intervention is the most appropriate and effective for the nurse-manager to employ, as it provides clear and objective feedback to the staff nurse based on professional criteria, and encourages a positive and constructive approach to enhance the nurse's performance and development.

Choice B Reason: This intervention is not advisable, as it may create a false impression of the staff nurse's performance and fail to address the underlying issues or problems. Documenting the nurse's negative behaviors is important for accountability and improvement purposes, and avoiding it may expose the nurse manager to legal or ethical risks.

Choice C Reason: This intervention is not optimal, as it may demoralize or discourage the staff nurse and create a negative or hostile work environment. Focusing only on the areas of weakness may overlook the strengths and potential of the staff nurse, and may not foster a supportive and collaborative relationship between the nurse- manager and the staff nurse.

Choice D Reason: This intervention is not relevant, as it may divert the attention from the staff nurse's performance and shift the blame to external factors. Discussing how the inconsistency in the staff nurse's performance disrupts the routine of all of the staff members on the unit may not help the staff nurse identify and address their own areas of improvement, and may cause resentment or conflict among the team.

Choice A Reason: Announcing the new plan at a special employee wellness event may be a good way to promote the plan and celebrate the achievement, but it is not the most important action. The nurses working on the committee should first communicate the plan to their colleagues and address any questions or concerns they may have.

Choice B Reason: Determining staff opinion of current healthcare insurance costs may be useful for evaluating the need and feasibility of the new plan, but it is not the most important action. The nurses working on the committee should have done this before developing and approving the new plan, not after.

Choice C Reason: Surveying the nurses to see who wants to keep the old benefits plan may be helpful for assessing the satisfaction and acceptance of the new plan, but it is not the most important action. The nurses working on the committee should have considered the preferences and needs of their colleagues during the development and approval of the new plan, not after.

Choice D Reason: Being available to all shifts to discuss the changes in health benefits is the most important action for the nurses working on the committee to implement, as it shows respect and transparency for their colleagues, and fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment. The nurses working on the committee should explain the rationale and benefits of the new plan, and provide feedback and guidance to their colleagues.