Upon examining her monthly budget report, the nurse manager observes a shortfall, leading her to modify the staffing schedule. Which of the following pieces of information exemplifies a negative variance?

Choice A Reason:

I believe I am rightly following our agency’s scheduling policies. Could you elaborate on your concerns? This response demonstrates assertiveness by acknowledging the nurse’s concerns and inviting further discussion. It shows that the nurse manager is confident in their actions but is also open to understanding the staff nurse’s perspective. This approach fosters open communication and problem-solving, which are key components of effective leadership.

Choice B Reason:

Why do you think I am being unfair? Your emotions are clouding your judgment. This response is dismissive and confrontational. It invalidates the staff nurse’s feelings and implies that their concerns are not legitimate. Such a response can escalate the conflict and damage the working relationship between the nurse manager and the staff nurse.

Choice C Reason:

You shouldn’t make accusations or imply your own shortcomings too. This response is defensive and accusatory. It shifts the focus from the issue at hand to the staff nurse’s behavior, which is not constructive. Effective communication should address the concerns directly without making personal attacks.

Choice D Reason:

I’m sorry, I will try to be more fair from now on. While this response shows a willingness to change, it lacks assertiveness. It implies that the nurse manager agrees with the accusation of unfairness without seeking to understand the specific concerns. Assertiveness involves standing by one’s decisions while being open to feedback and discussion.

Choice A Reason:

Data systems offer supplementary documentation for adverse events that staff may not be able to provide. While data systems can enhance documentation and provide valuable information, the primary objective of deploying suitable technology in this context is to prevent adverse events. Supplementary documentation alone does not directly prevent adverse events but rather helps in understanding and analyzing them after they occur.

Choice B Reason:

Physiologic monitoring systems allow for the identification of early changes prior to the occurrence of an adverse event. This is the most accurate description of the objective. These systems continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and other physiological parameters, providing real-time data that can alert healthcare providers to early signs of deterioration. By identifying these changes early, interventions can be made promptly to prevent adverse events, thereby improving patient safety and outcomes.

Choice C Reason:

Frequently, patient data documentation is difficult to read, leading to misinterpretation. While this is a valid concern, it is not the primary focus of deploying patient surveillance systems. The objective is to prevent adverse events, and while improving documentation readability can contribute to better care, it does not directly address the prevention of adverse events through early detection and intervention.

Choice D Reason:

Mistakes made by humans play a significant role in causing adverse events. This statement is true, as human error is a common factor in adverse events. However, the deployment of suitable technology, such as physiologic monitoring systems, aims to mitigate these errors by providing continuous monitoring and early warning signs. The focus is on preventing adverse events through technology that supports human decision-making and reduces the likelihood of errors.