Resistance is most likely to occur when change:

Choice A reason: Asking Nurse A to explain her position is important for understanding her concerns. However, it does not immediately address the issue of equitable patient care, which is the priority.

Choice B reason: While flexibility can be important, allowing personal preferences to dictate patient assignments can lead to a slippery slope of discriminatory practices. Patient care should not be compromised by personal biases.

Choice C reason: Insisting on switching back to the original assignments without addressing the underlying issue may not resolve the conflict or lead to better patient care in the long term.

Choice D reason: This is the most appropriate first action as it addresses the core principle of nursing care — providing compassionate care to all patients. It sets a standard for professional behavior and ensures that personal feelings do not interfere with patient care.

Choice A reason: While supplies distribution is a logistical function, it does not necessarily reflect the concept of decentralization in the context of leader-follower relationships.

Choice B reason: Purchasing equipment from approved vendors is a procurement process and does not directly relate to the decentralization of decision-making in leader-follower dynamics.

Choice C reason: Decisions made at the executive level represent a centralized approach rather than decentralization, which involves distributing decision-making power.

Choice D reason: This is the correct answer because decentralization in the leader-follower relationship refers to the distribution of decision-making power to those who are directly involved in care delivery. This empowers staff and can lead to more effective and responsive caregiving.