Nursing Elites

1. Politics is defined as the art of influencing the allocation of scarce resources. An example of a scarce resource allocated by the manager of a patient care unit is:

• A. Raises for the staff.
• B. Patient supplies in the utility room.
• C. Staffing that minimizes overtime.
• D. Paper for the printer.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a healthcare setting, scarce resources can include money, time, personnel, and materials. Staffing decisions directly impact the allocation of personnel resources and can affect overtime costs, making it a critical resource managed by the unit manager. Patient supplies in the utility room and paper for the printer are important, but staffing decisions have a more direct impact on resource allocation within the unit. Raises for staff are typically granted by the institution and are not directly controlled by the unit manager.

2. A nurse manager is interested in solving a serious conflict that exists among the nursing staff. He uses a strategy that involves allowing the group to explore a number of solutions and come to a consensus on a solution. What strategy for conflict resolution has the manager used?

• A. Integrative decision-making
• B. Win-win
• C. Competing
• D. Confrontation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Integrative decision-making. Integrative decision-making involves allowing a group to explore various solutions and work together to reach a consensus. This strategy focuses on collaboration and finding a solution that meets the needs of all parties involved. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. 'Win-win' is another term for integrative decision-making, 'Competing' involves pursuing one's own interests at the expense of others, and 'Confrontation' implies a direct conflict rather than a collaborative approach to resolution.

3. When a policy violation occurs, what are the necessary steps for the nurse manager? (EXCEPT)

• A. Describing the staff nurse's behavior that violated the policy
• B. Terminating the staff immediately
• C. Confrontation
• D. Determining the employee's awareness of the policy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a policy violation occurs, the necessary steps for the nurse manager include: describing the staff nurse's behavior that violated the policy, confrontation as a communication technique to address specific issues, and determining the employee's awareness of the policy. Terminating the employee immediately is not always the appropriate response to a policy violation, as there may be other corrective actions or interventions that can be taken to address the issue without resorting to termination. It is crucial to follow due process, provide guidance, and support to help employees understand and rectify their behavior.

4. Which of the following is likely to facilitate union activity?

• A. Managers communicating effectively with employees
• B. Managers listening to concerns of employees
• C. Belief that low wages cause job dissatisfaction
• D. Belief that supervisors are not understanding of unionizing

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because according to a study by Bilchik (2000), organizations are more likely to unionize if there is a belief that low wages cause job dissatisfaction. Choices A and B focus on effective communication and listening, which may actually prevent union activity by addressing employee concerns directly. Choice D, the belief that supervisors are not understanding of unionizing, may lead to dissatisfaction but doesn't directly facilitate union activity as the belief that low wages cause job dissatisfaction does.

5. Selye's stress theory explains that a person stressed for long periods of time will:

• A. Face exhaustion and be more susceptible to illnesses.
• B. Become fatigued and become stronger.
• C. Become more assertive.
• D. Safety needs.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Selye's stress theory posits that individuals experiencing prolonged stress are likely to face exhaustion and become more susceptible to illnesses. This is because the body's response to chronic stress can lead to physical and psychological depletion, increasing the risk of health problems. Choice B is incorrect as becoming stronger is not a typical outcome of prolonged stress according to Selye's theory. Choice C, becoming more assertive, is not directly related to the physical implications of chronic stress. Choice D, safety needs, is unrelated to Selye's stress theory and does not reflect the expected outcomes of prolonged stress.

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