A client who had a cerebrovascular accident has persistent problems with dysphagia. The nurse caring for the client should initiate a referral with which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?

Choice A reason: Collective bargaining is a labor negotiation process between employees and employers, typically involving unions. While it may influence workplace conditions and policies, it is not considered a core competency for interprofessional collaboration. Collaboration focuses on shared decision-making, mutual respect, and communication—not labor relations.

Choice B reason: Communication is a foundational competency in interprofessional collaboration. Effective communication fosters transparency, mutual understanding, and coordinated care among team members. It ensures that client needs are addressed holistically and that care plans are clearly understood and implemented across disciplines.

Choice C reason: Confrontation is not a recognized competency in collaborative practice. While addressing conflict is important, confrontation implies aggression or adversarial behavior, which undermines teamwork. Constructive conflict resolution and respectful dialogue are preferred approaches in interprofessional settings.

Choice D reason: Coercive power refers to forcing others to comply through threats or pressure, which is counterproductive in healthcare teams. It erodes trust, damages morale, and compromises client safety. Interprofessional collaboration relies on shared leadership, respect, and voluntary cooperation—not coercion.

Choice A reason: An omission of a prescription is a medication error and should be documented in an incident report. This helps identify system failures and prevent future occurrences.

Choice B reason: Conflicts between providers and nursing staff, while potentially disruptive, are not typically documented in incident reports unless they result in harm or compromise patient safety. These issues are usually addressed through administrative or human resources channels.

Choice C reason: Needlestick injuries are considered occupational hazards and must be reported immediately through an incident report. This ensures proper follow-up, including testing and prophylaxis.

Choice D reason: Medication errors, including wrong dose, wrong drug, or missed administration, require incident reporting to ensure patient safety and initiate corrective actions.