A night shift nurse delegates an unfair share of tasks to the assistive personnel (AP). Additionally, nurses from the day shift report that the night shift nurse frequently leaves many tasks uncompleted. When confronting the night shift nurse, which of the following statements made by the charge nurse is most appropriate?
You have been very inconsiderate of others by not completing your share of the work.
I need to speak with you about unit expectations regarding delegating and completing tasks.
If you don’t do your share of the work, I will have to inform the nurse manager.
Several staff members have commented that you don’t do your fair share of the work.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
Saying “You have been very inconsiderate of others by not completing your share of the work” is confrontational and accusatory. This approach can lead to defensiveness and conflict rather than a constructive conversation. Effective communication in nursing should be respectful and focused on resolving issues collaboratively.
Choice B Reason:
“I need to speak with you about unit expectations regarding delegating and completing tasks” is the most appropriate statement. It is direct yet respectful, focusing on the expectations and standards of the unit rather than personal shortcomings. This approach opens the door for a constructive dialogue about performance and responsibilities, which is essential for resolving the issue and improving teamwork.
Choice C Reason:
“If you don’t do your share of the work, I will have to inform the nurse manager” is a threat and can create a hostile work environment. While it is important to address performance issues, using threats can escalate the situation and damage professional relationships. Constructive feedback should aim to support improvement rather than instill fear.
Choice D Reason:
“Several staff members have commented that you don’t do your fair share of the work” relies on hearsay and can be perceived as gossip. This approach can undermine trust and does not address the issue directly. It is more effective to focus on specific behaviors and expectations rather than what others have said.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Ms. P’s lunch tray is expected to be ready in 30 minutes. Before delivering her meal, please review with her the instructions provided by the diabetes educator earlier this morning and assist her in understanding how to manage her carbohydrate intake. Once you’ve completed this, please report back to me. This scenario involves patient education, which is beyond the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), tasks that require specialized knowledge, judgment, and skills should not be delegated to UAP. Therefore, this scenario does not demonstrate appropriate delegation.
Choice B Reason:
Mr. O requires aid to use the restroom. I recognize that you’re new and might feel uneasy about this task, but the most effective way to learn is by giving it a try independently. After you’ve completed the task, please inform me of the outcome. While assisting a patient to use the restroom is within the scope of practice for UAP, the RN’s approach in this scenario lacks proper supervision and support. Effective delegation involves providing clear instructions, ensuring the delegatee is competent, and offering necessary supervision. This scenario does not fully meet these criteria.
Choice C Reason:
Mr. P has just called, reporting dizziness. Please attend to him promptly, assess his pulse, and if you suspect hypoglycemia, provide apple juice and then check his blood sugar. Afterward, please report your findings to me. This scenario involves assessment and clinical judgment, which are responsibilities of licensed nurses. UAP should not be tasked with assessing patients or making clinical decisions, as these require professional nursing knowledge and skills. Therefore, this scenario does not demonstrate appropriate delegation.
Choice D Reason:
Ms. O in Room 17 has completed her shower and requires assistance to return to bed. Please assist her promptly and ensure you bring her cane before you help her walk. After you’ve aided her back to bed, please inform me so I can evaluate her condition. This scenario is the best example of appropriate delegation. Assisting a patient with mobility and ensuring their safety by providing a cane are tasks within the scope of practice for UAP. The RN provides clear instructions and follows up to evaluate the patient’s condition, demonstrating effective delegation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Abandonment occurs when a nurse terminates the nurse-patient relationship without reasonable notice or providing a competent replacement. This can leave the patient without necessary care and support, potentially leading to harm. In this scenario, the nurse did not abandon the patient but instead threatened to withhold care, which aligns more closely with the definition of assault.
Choice B Reason
Battery involves the actual physical contact with a patient without their consent. This could include actions such as administering a medication against the patient’s will or physically restraining them without justification. In this case, the nurse did not physically touch the patient, so battery is not the correct term for the described behavior.
Choice C Reason
Assault is the threat of harm or unwanted physical contact that causes the patient to fear for their safety. By threatening to withhold the client’s meal tray, the nurse is using intimidation to coerce the patient into compliance. This threat can cause the patient to feel fearful and anxious, which constitutes assault. The key element here is the threat of harm, not the actual physical act.
Choice D Reason
False imprisonment involves restraining a patient against their will without legal justification. This could include locking a patient in a room or using physical restraints without a medical order. The scenario does not describe any form of physical restraint or confinement, so false imprisonment is not applicable in this context.
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