Nursing Elites

1. A resident on night call refuses to answer pages from the staff nurse on the night shift and complains that she calls too often with minor problems. The nurse feels offended and reacts with frequent, middle-of-the-night phone calls to 'get back' at him. The behavior displayed by the resident and the nurse is an example of what kind of conflict?

• A. Perceived conflict
• B. Disruptive conflict
• C. Competitive conflict
• D. Felt conflict

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Disruptive conflict.' In disruptive conflict, the parties involved are engaged in activities to reduce, defeat, or eliminate the opponent. In this scenario, the resident and the nurse are engaging in behaviors that disrupt their professional relationship by intentionally ignoring pages and making excessive retaliatory calls. Perceived conflict refers to a situation where one or more parties believe that a conflict exists, competitive conflict involves striving to achieve personal goals at the expense of others, and felt conflict refers to the emotional involvement in a conflict situation.

2. Successful professional nurses benefit from working with mentors. What mutually rewarding outcomes are realized in mentoring relationships? (EXCEPT)

• A. Instilling a sense of accomplishing a meaningful effort
• B. Assuming each other's characteristics
• C. Fostering an interdependent relationship
• D. Promoting self-esteem

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Professional nurses who seek mentoring relationships work with their mentors to gain objective feedback, guidance, and confidence. A mentoring relationship is critical when making job decisions, establishing goals, discussing professional judgment, considering ethical issues, and in determining challenges for growth. Choice B, "Assuming each other's characteristics," is incorrect because mentoring is about learning, guidance, and support to develop one's own professional identity, not about assuming someone else's characteristics. Choices A, C, and D are all beneficial outcomes of mentoring relationships, including instilling a sense of accomplishment, fostering interdependence, and promoting self-esteem, respectively.

3. As a new nurse on a pediatric unit, you must work nights and you have minimal time to spend with your children. Your colleague observes that you speak abruptly with parents and you become easily annoyed when the patients cry or when they are demanding. You realize you are becoming increasingly more distressed and that you have no time with your children and, as a result you: (Select all that apply.)

• A. Express negative comments to colleagues about patients and parents who annoy you.
• B. Ask the nurse manager to have a schedule with an equal number of day and night shifts so that you can be with your children.
• C. Call off sick as frequently as you can without violating policies so that you have more time with your children.
• D. Minimize your communication with patients and parents so you do not offend them.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Asking the nurse manager for a schedule with an equal number of day and night shifts is a proactive and constructive approach to address the issue of having minimal time with your children. This solution aims to balance work and personal life effectively. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Expressing negative comments about patients and parents (Choice A) is unprofessional and can create a negative work environment. Calling off sick frequently (Choice C) is irresponsible and violates work policies, leading to potential disciplinary actions. Minimizing communication with patients and parents (Choice D) is not a suitable approach as effective communication is essential in healthcare to provide optimal care and support to patients and their families.

4. A nurse needs to know how to increase her power base. Which of the following are ways nurses can generate power as described by Umiker?

• A. Using body language, standing when talking
• B. Listening for feelings
• C. Using words, avoiding clichés
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'All of the above.' Umiker describes four ways to generate power: using words, through delivery, by listening, and through body language. Choice A is correct as it mentions using body language. Choice B is correct as it mentions listening. Choice C is correct as it pertains to using words effectively and avoiding clichés. Therefore, all the choices are ways nurses can generate power as described by Umiker.

5. As a new graduate employed in a high-volume maternity unit that uses differentiated practice as its staffing model, what can the nurse expect?

• A. Evidence-based practice guides risk management principles.
• B. Client teaching is the responsibility of the team leader.
• C. The initial level of practice responsibility will be limited.
• D. Seniority is the main determinant of client assignments.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a differentiated practice model, the scope of nursing practice and responsibility are tailored to different levels of experience. As a new graduate with limited experience, the nurse can expect that the initial level of practice responsibility will be limited to match their skill level and knowledge. This allows for a gradual increase in responsibilities as the nurse gains more experience and expertise. Choice A is incorrect because evidence-based practice is related to clinical decision-making, not the staffing model. Choice B is incorrect as client teaching is typically a shared responsibility among the healthcare team, not solely the team leader's. Choice D is incorrect as differentiated practice models focus on skill level and competence rather than seniority when determining client assignments.

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