A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

In this situation, the nurse is demonstrating the compromising style of conflict management. Compromising involves finding a middle ground where both parties give up something in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution. In this case, the nurse suggests that one AP can take a break now, but the other AP will get to take an early lunch. This solution allows both APs to have some of their needs met while also making concessions.

The other options are not the type of conflict management demonstrated by the nurse in this situation. Cooperating [a] involves one party giving in to the demands of the other party in order to maintain harmony. Competing [c] involves one party trying to win at the expense of the other party. Avoiding [d] involves avoiding or withdrawing from the conflict altogether.

An incident report should be filed whenever an unexpected event occurs. The rule of thumb is that any time a patient makes a complaint, a medication error occurs, a medical device malfunctions, or anyone— patient, staff member, or visitor—is injured or involved in a situation with the potential for injury, an incident report is required ⁴. In this case, the client's missing dentures would be considered a complaint and would require the nurse to complete an incident report.

The other options do not require an incident report. Disagreeing with the nurse manager about inadequate staffing [a], a staff member not arriving at the facility to work an assigned shift [b], and discovering that the client does not have advanced directives [d] are not situations that would require an incident report according to the information provided in my sources.