A nurse manager suspends a nurse due to chemical impairment.
Which of the following is an appropriate requirement for re-entry to the workplace?

Choice A rationale

Peer-reviewed articles represent the highest level of evidence in healthcare, as they have undergone rigorous scrutiny by experts in the field. This process ensures the validity, reliability, and scientific rigor of the research, making them the most current and trustworthy source for evidence-based practice to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Choice B rationale

Experiences of expert clinicians, while valuable for practical insights and nuanced clinical judgment, are considered a lower level of evidence compared to empirical research. Clinical expertise is subjective and may lack generalizability, making it less suitable as the primary source for establishing broad evidence-based practice guidelines that require systematic validation.

Choice C rationale

Current textbooks provide foundational knowledge and summarize established concepts, but their publication cycle often means the information is not as up-to-date as the latest research. While essential for learning, textbooks may not reflect the very newest findings or rapidly evolving best practices, making them secondary to recent peer-reviewed literature.

Choice D rationale

Opinions of colleagues, while offering immediate perspectives and shared experiences, are highly subjective and anecdotal. They are considered the lowest level of evidence in the hierarchy of evidence-based practice, as they lack systematic review, empirical data, and rigorous validation necessary to inform generalizable and reliable clinical practices.

Choice A rationale

Offering to meet with a client's home health nurse after discharge demonstrates appropriate interprofessional collaboration and continuity of care. This action facilitates a smooth transition for the client by ensuring that relevant health information is accurately conveyed and understood by the home health provider, promoting optimal post-discharge outcomes and preventing fragmented care.

Choice B rationale

Informing the client that she cannot accept a personal gift aligns with ethical nursing practice and professional boundaries. Nurses are obligated to maintain a professional relationship, avoiding situations that could lead to actual or perceived conflicts of interest, exploitation, or compromise the nurse-client therapeutic relationship.

Choice C rationale

Recommending the client contact clergy for spiritual counsel demonstrates an understanding of holistic care, addressing the client's spiritual needs. This action respects the client's autonomy and acknowledges the significant role that spiritual well-being can play in a client's coping mechanisms and overall health outcomes.

Choice D rationale

Sharing personal contact information with the client blurs professional boundaries and can compromise the nurse-client relationship. This action creates a risk for dependency, manipulation, and potential exploitation, undermining the therapeutic nature of the interaction and violating professional conduct standards.