A nurse tells another nurse that she thinks that he did not provide adequate care for a client who underwent a hip arthroplasty earlier that day. Which of the following responses by the accused nurse demonstrates assertiveness?

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: Offering to help the AP complete the tasks may seem like a good solution in the short term. However, this approach does not address the underlying issue, which is that the AP was not able to complete these tasks the previous day. The nurse’s role is to delegate tasks appropriately and ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely manner. If the nurse takes over the AP’s tasks, it could lead to an imbalance in the workload and could potentially overburden the nurse. Therefore, while this choice may seem helpful, it is not the most effective solution to the problem.

Choice B rationale: Assigning a more qualified staff member to the tasks could be a potential solution if the AP’s inability to complete the tasks was due to a lack of skills or knowledge. However, without more information, it’s not clear that this is the case. Furthermore, this approach could lead to resentment among staff if it appears that tasks are not being distributed fairly. Therefore, while this choice could be a potential solution, it is not the most effective solution given the information provided.

Choice C rationale: Planning a more reasonable job assignment is the most effective solution to this problem. If the AP was not able to complete the tasks the previous day, it suggests that the workload was too heavy or the tasks were too complex. By reassessing the job assignment and making it more manageable, the nurse can ensure that all tasks are completed in a timely manner. This approach respects the abilities and limitations of the AP, promotes a fair distribution of tasks, and ensures the best care for the clients.

Choice D rationale: Setting a time frame for the AP to complete the tasks could be a potential solution if the issue was that the tasks were not completed in a timely manner. However, if the AP was not able to complete the tasks at all, simply setting a time frame may not resolve the issue. This approach could also add unnecessary pressure on the AP, which could lead to rushed or substandard work. Therefore, while this choice could be a potential solution, it is not the most effective solution given the information provided.

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.