A nurse is assisting with teaching a class about the roles and responsibilities of a case manager. Which of the following responsibilities should the nurse include?

The correct answer is b. Misunderstanding of roles.

Choice A: Scope of practice

Reason: While the scope of practice defines the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare professionals, it is not inherently a barrier to interprofessional communication. Instead, it provides clarity on what each professional can and cannot do, which can actually facilitate better teamwork and communication.

Choice B: Misunderstanding of roles

Reason: Misunderstanding of roles is a significant barrier to interprofessional communication. When team members are unclear about each other’s roles and responsibilities, it can lead to confusion, overlap, and gaps in care. This misunderstanding can hinder effective collaboration and communication, as team members may not know who to turn to for specific issues or may duplicate efforts.

Choice C: Privacy laws

Reason: Privacy laws, such as HIPAA in the United States, are designed to protect patient information. While they impose certain restrictions on information sharing, they are not a primary barrier to interprofessional communication. Healthcare teams can still communicate effectively within the boundaries of these laws by ensuring that patient information is shared appropriately and securely.

Choice D: Burnout

Reason: Burnout is a significant issue in healthcare, affecting the well-being and performance of healthcare professionals. However, it is more of a personal and systemic issue rather than a direct barrier to interprofessional communication. Burnout can indirectly affect communication by reducing the overall effectiveness and engagement of team members.

Choice A reason: Quality education is a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics. According to the NSNA Core Values and Interpretative Statements, quality education is an act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for a profession. NSNA informs, prepares, and inspires members to develop continuous, lifelong learning and ethics of the profession.

Choice B reason: Safety is not a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics, but a responsibility that is part of the NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct. According to this code, nursing students have a responsibility to promote the safety of clients, self, and others in academic and clinical settings. Safety is also a core value of nursing practice, but it is not explicitly stated in the NSNA code of ethics.

Choice C reason: Diversity is not a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics, but a goal that is part of the NSNA Mission Statement. According to this statement, NSNA is committed to fostering the professional development of nursing students with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Diversity is also a principle that guides the NSNA Code of Professional Conduct, which states that nursing students should respect the diversity of clients, colleagues, faculty, and staff.

Choice D reason: Professionalism is a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics. According to the NSNA Core Values and Interpretative Statements, professionalism is the characteristics that describe an individual striving to maintain the highest standards for one’s chosen path – honesty, integrity, responsibility and conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, accountability, and excellence. As NSNA members, it is important to create a culture of professionalism in our organization and to uphold the values of professionalism in order to conduct ourselves and our organization in the most respectful, honest way.

Choice E reason: Advocacy is a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics. According to the NSNA Core Values and Interpretative Statements, advocacy is an activity or process to work on behalf of self and/or others to raise awareness of a concern and to promote solutions to the issue. The nursing profession is based on advocating for patients and families in order to help facilitate the healing process; NSNA serves as an advocate for nursing students by representing them as one united voice.

Choice F reason: Confidentiality is a value that is part of the NSNA code of ethics. According to the NSNA Code of Professional Conduct, nursing students should protect the privacy and confidentiality of clients, colleagues, faculty, and staff. Confidentiality is also a principle that guides the NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct, which states that nursing students should maintain client confidentiality in verbal, written, and electronic forms.