Nursing Elites

1. After her evaluation, a staff nurse exclaims: 'I'm not sure if my manager knows much about my performance, really. He only had three specific examples to give me, two good performance examples and one to work on, and they all happened in the last month. I don't feel like he can see the whole picture.' What kind of performance appraisal rating does this statement exemplify?

• A. Recency error
• B. Leniency error
• C. Halo error
• D. Absolute judgment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The statement exemplifies a recency error. Recency error occurs when a manager assesses an employee's performance primarily based on recent events, rather than considering the entire evaluation period. In this case, the staff nurse feels that her manager focused only on recent examples, leading to an incomplete assessment of her overall performance. Choice B, Leniency error, refers to a rater consistently giving high ratings to all employees regardless of performance, which is not evident in this scenario. Choice C, Halo error, involves allowing one positive attribute of an individual to overshadow other characteristics during appraisal, which is not the case here. Absolute judgment, Choice D, is when a rater evaluates an employee without reference to any specific criteria, which is not reflected in the staff nurse's feedback.

2. A 48-year-old male patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L). The nurse will plan to teach the patient about

• A. self-monitoring of blood glucose
• B. using low doses of regular insulin
• C. lifestyle changes to lower blood glucose
• D. effects of oral hypoglycemic medications

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L), indicating prediabetes, the initial approach is focused on lifestyle modifications to lower blood glucose levels. These changes may include dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, and weight management. Self-monitoring of blood glucose, insulin therapy, and oral hypoglycemic medications are not typically the first-line interventions for patients with prediabetes. Educating the patient about lifestyle changes to lower blood glucose is the most appropriate action at this stage.

3. You believe that you are working harder than other nurses and that you take care of patients that are more complex. You are angry that other staff nurses have less complex and lower acuity patients, but you __________ .

• A. Avoid discussing the situation because you do not want to be perceived as a complainer.
• B. Know that you need to discuss the inequity with the nurse manager because you are resenting the work and becoming more dissatisfied in your job
• C. A & B
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Professionals communicate their views in a respectful and direct manner. In discussing the situation with the manager, professionals may gain insights about their reactions to stress and how they can cope with the intense demands of the healthcare environment. Choice A is incorrect because avoiding discussing the situation does not address the underlying issue and may lead to increased frustration. Choice B is correct as it emphasizes the importance of addressing the inequity with the nurse manager to find a constructive solution. Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide any guidance on how to handle the situation effectively.

4. Which of the following skills are essential for healthcare professionals in today's healthcare environment?

• A. Communication
• B. Supervision & Management
• C. Delegation
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In today's healthcare environment, professionals require a diverse skill set to effectively navigate the complexities of patient care. Communication is fundamental for effective patient interactions, teamwork, and collaboration. Supervision and management skills are crucial for overseeing patient care and ensuring operational efficiency. Delegation is important for distributing tasks appropriately among team members. Therefore, all the skills mentioned (communication, supervision, management, and delegation) are essential for healthcare professionals in today's healthcare environment. The correct answer is 'All of the above' because all the skills listed are crucial and interlinked in providing high-quality patient care in the current healthcare setting. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each skill plays a vital role in the multifaceted responsibilities of healthcare professionals, and focusing on only one aspect would be limiting in today's dynamic healthcare landscape.

5. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a root cause analysis (RCA)?

• A. Identify the person responsible for an error
• B. Determine who should be disciplined
• C. Discover the underlying causes of an error
• D. Evaluate the effectiveness of a new policy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Discover the underlying causes of an error.' Root cause analysis (RCA) focuses on identifying the fundamental reason(s) that led to an error or problem rather than placing blame on individuals. Choice A and B are incorrect as RCA is not about pinpointing a specific person to blame or determining disciplinary actions. Choice D is also incorrect as the primary goal of RCA is not to evaluate policy effectiveness but to uncover the root causes of issues for effective problem-solving.

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