You are the charge nurse. Two hours into the shift, you discover that two nurses (Nurse A and Nurse B) have switched patients because Nurse A does not like to take care of patients with prostate cancer. Which action should you take first?
Ask Nurse A to explain her position regarding prostate cancer patients and seek alternatives to prevent future issues.
Allow them this flexibility: as long as the patient is well cared for, it doesn't matter if the assignments are changed.
Insist that they switch back to the original patient assignments and talk to each of them at the end of the shift.
Explain to Nurse A and B that all patients deserve kindness and care regardless of their condition or the nurses' personal feelings.
The Correct Answer is D
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Asking what happened to initiate the disagreement is a direct approach to understanding the root cause of the conflict. It allows the nurse manager to gather facts and assess the situation before making any judgments.
Choice B reason: Understanding the impact on the client's perception of care is important, but it is secondary to resolving the conflict between the staff members. The immediate concern is to address the cause of the disagreement.
Choice C reason: Asking why one thinks the other is wrong may escalate the conflict by focusing on blame rather than resolution. It is more constructive to understand the events that led to the disagreement.
Choice D reason: Knowing how long the nursing assistants have been working together could provide context to their working relationship, but it does not address the immediate issue of the disagreement.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reliance on the manager for direct guidance does not demonstrate the proactive qualities of a follower in action. Followers should be able to work independently while understanding the direction provided by leaders.
Choice B reason: Avoiding the use of a new protocol until receiving peer feedback may indicate a lack of initiative or resistance to change, which are not characteristics of an effective follower.
Choice C reason: While adherence to decisions is important, strict adherence without question does not embody the critical thinking and engagement expected of a follower in action.
Choice D reason: Self-awareness and the ability to speak up reflect a follower who is engaged, thoughtful, and proactive, which are key qualities in a dynamic healthcare environment.
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