Two nurses on a unit each contend that the other is not doing a fair share of work. The conflict is affecting the functioning of the unit. A charge nurse should approach this conflict in which of the following ways?

The correct answer is choice A: A nurse is photocopying their assigned client's diagnostic test results.

Choice A rationale: The charge nurse should intervene because photocopying a client's diagnostic test results can pose a potential breach of confidentiality and privacy. Unless there is a specific and authorized reason, personal health information should not be copied or removed from the client's medical record.

Choice B rationale: An assistive personnel (AP) documenting a client's vital signs on the client's paper-based graphic record is a routine task and does not require intervention by the charge nurse.

Choice C rationale: The unit secretary faxing a client's laboratory results to the provider is a standard practice for sharing necessary health information with the care team. No intervention is required.

Choice D rationale: An RN staying with a client who is reading their requested medical records is appropriate. Clients have the right to access their own medical records, and the nurse's presence can help address any questions or concerns the client might have while reviewing their records.

The correct answer is choice D: Explore alternative solutions to address unit workflow with the nurses.

Choice A rationale:

Scheduling the nurses to work on alternating shifts (Choice A) might alleviate the immediate conflict, but it doesn't address the root cause of the issue, which is their perceived unequal workload. This approach could also disrupt the unit's continuity of care and potentially lead to further conflicts.

Choice B rationale:

Organizing a task force to evaluate the situation (Choice B) could be beneficial in the long run for identifying systemic issues contributing to the conflict. However, this approach might take time to yield results. In the meantime, the conflict could continue to negatively impact the unit's functioning.

Choice C rationale:

Telling the nurses that it's their responsibility to cooperate with coworkers (Choice C) is oversimplifying the situation. While cooperation is important, conflicts often arise from deeper issues that need to be addressed constructively. This choice doesn't provide a clear plan for resolving the workload disparity.

Choice D rationale:

Exploring alternative solutions to address unit workflow with the nurses (Choice D) is the most effective approach. By engaging the nurses in problem-solving discussions, the charge nurse can identify the reasons behind their perception of unfair workload distribution and collaboratively develop strategies to ensure a more equitable division of tasks. This approach promotes communication, collaboration, and shared accountability.