What is the most important approach that a nurse manager can take with an emotionally troubled employee?

Choice A reason: While promoting teamwork among healthcare providers is important, it is not the primary reason for maintaining a low nurse-to-patient ratio. Teamwork is a byproduct of adequate staffing, which allows nurses to collaborate effectively.

Choice B reason: Increasing adverse events is the opposite of what a low nurse-to-patient ratio aims to achieve. Research shows that higher nurse-to-patient ratios are associated with increased adverse events.

Choice C reason: A low nurse-to-patient ratio does not contribute to the duplication of services. Instead, it ensures that nurses can provide adequate attention and care to each patient, which can reduce the need for redundant services.

Choice D reason: Nursing research has validated that a low nurse-to-patient ratio improves client outcomes. Studies have shown that lower ratios are associated with reduced mortality, medication errors, ulcers, restraint use, infections, pneumonia, and improved intervention times.

Choice A reason: Superseding the need for staff members to file incident reports would not address the underlying issue of fall prevention and could lead to underreporting of incidents.

Choice B reason: Disciplining staff members for previous incidents does not contribute to a proactive approach to fall prevention and may create a punitive environment that discourages reporting.

Choice C reason: While compensating for previous injuries may be necessary, it does not prevent future falls or address the root cause of the problem.

Choice D reason: Eliminating risks before anyone is harmed is the most proactive and effective approach to fall prevention, aligning with the principles of risk management to anticipate and mitigate potential hazards.