A nurse manager is conducting an in-service session for a group of staff members on the topic of incivility. Which of the following scenarios should the nurse incorporate as an instance of lateral violence?

Choice A reason:

Motivating nurses to submit incident reports and include them in patients’ records is important for transparency and accountability. However, this approach alone does not address the root causes of medication errors. Incident reporting is a reactive measure that helps in documenting errors after they occur but does not proactively prevent future errors. Effective error reduction requires a more comprehensive strategy that includes identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to errors.

Choice B reason:

Delegating the task to another department to manage quality improvement might seem like a viable option, but it can lead to a disconnect between the staff directly involved in patient care and those responsible for quality improvement. This separation can result in a lack of ownership and accountability among the nursing staff. Quality improvement initiatives are most effective when they involve the active participation of the staff who are directly involved in the processes being improved.

Choice C reason:

Working together with floor nurses to identify the causes of errors and develop solutions is the most effective approach. This collaborative method ensures that the staff who are directly involved in patient care are engaged in the process of identifying issues and creating practical solutions. Nurses on the floor have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and can provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to medication errors. This approach fosters a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility for patient safety.

Choice D reason:

Preventing errors by highlighting the punishments for making a medication mistake is a punitive approach that can create a culture of fear and blame. This method is counterproductive as it discourages open communication and reporting of errors. When staff fear punishment, they are less likely to report mistakes, which hinders the ability to learn from errors and implement preventive measures. A more effective strategy focuses on creating a supportive environment where staff feel safe to report errors and participate in developing solutions.

Choice A Reason:

Documenting the admission assessment in the chart is not typically within the scope of practice for an LPN. Admission assessments are comprehensive evaluations that require the clinical judgment and expertise of an RN. LPNs can assist with data collection, but the final assessment and documentation should be completed by an RN.

Choice B Reason:

Verifying with the client which medications they are taking is an appropriate task to delegate to an LPN. This task involves gathering information from the client, which is within the LPN’s scope of practice. The LPN can then report this information back to the RN, who will use it to make clinical decisions and update the care plan.

Choice C Reason:

Using client assessment findings to draw a conclusion and develop a plan is beyond the scope of practice for an LPN. This task requires critical thinking and clinical judgment, which are responsibilities of the RN. The LPN can assist in collecting assessment data, but the interpretation and planning should be done by the RN.

Choice D Reason:

Performing a complete assessment of the client is not typically within the LPN’s scope of practice. While LPNs can perform focused assessments and collect data, comprehensive assessments require the clinical expertise of an RN. The RN is responsible for the overall evaluation and care planning for the client.