You are the charge nurse. Two hours into the shift, you discover that two nurses (Nurse A and Nurse B) have switched patients because Nurse A does not like to take care of patients with prostate cancer. Which action should you take first?
Ask Nurse A to explain her position regarding prostate cancer patients and seek alternatives to prevent future issues.
Allow them this flexibility: as long as the patient is well cared for, it doesn't matter if the assignments are changed.
Insist that they switch back to the original patient assignments and talk to each of them at the end of the shift.
Explain to Nurse A and B that all patients deserve kindness and care regardless of their condition or the nurses' personal feelings.
The Correct Answer is D
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Emotions can significantly impact communication. When the staff nurse is upset due to working understaffed, their emotional state may hinder effective communication. Emotions can cloud understanding, lead to misinterpretations, and affect receptivity to information.
Choice B Reason: While physical space can be a barrier (e.g., noisy or crowded environments), in this context, it is less likely to directly influence the dialogue. The issue of being understaffed is more related to workload and staffing levels rather than physical space.
Choice C Reason: Communication structure refers to how information is organized and presented. If the charge nurse's explanation lacks clarity or a logical flow, it could hinder understanding. However, in this scenario, the primary concern is likely related to staffing rather than communication structure.
Choice D Reason: Distracting noise can disrupt effective communication. If the staff nurse is upset due to being understaffed, external distractions (such as noise in the environment) may exacerbate their frustration and hinder the dialogue.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reliance on the manager for direct guidance does not demonstrate the proactive qualities of a follower in action. Followers should be able to work independently while understanding the direction provided by leaders.
Choice B reason: Avoiding the use of a new protocol until receiving peer feedback may indicate a lack of initiative or resistance to change, which are not characteristics of an effective follower.
Choice C reason: While adherence to decisions is important, strict adherence without question does not embody the critical thinking and engagement expected of a follower in action.
Choice D reason: Self-awareness and the ability to speak up reflect a follower who is engaged, thoughtful, and proactive, which are key qualities in a dynamic healthcare environment.
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