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. If a task is delegated to someone, they need to be granted the ___________ to complete the task.

• A. Authority
• B. Planning
• C. Organizing
• D. Controlling

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: Authority When a task is delegated, it is essential to grant the individual the authority to complete it. Authority refers to the power or right to give commands, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Planning (choice B), organizing (choice C), and controlling (choice D) are important aspects of management but do not directly address the need for authorization to carry out a delegated task.

3. The problem of overrating staff performance is called ___________ .

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

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Leniency error.' Leniency error occurs when a manager tends to overrate staff performance, giving higher ratings than deserved. Choice A, 'Recency error,' refers to the tendency to focus only on recent behaviors or events when evaluating performance. Choice B, 'Absolute judgment,' is not directly related to overrating staff performance; it refers to making evaluations without considering the context or comparison points. Choice C, 'Halo error,' involves allowing one positive aspect of an individual to overshadow other factors in performance evaluation, which is different from overrating overall staff performance.

4. When should a critical pathway be revised?

• A. When variances show a new trend.
• B. When the variances show a new trend.
• C. When a member of the team retires.
• D. When the client leaves the hospital.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A critical pathway should be revised when variances in the patient's progress indicate a new trend or deviation from the expected course of treatment. This allows healthcare providers to adjust the pathway to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes. Changes in the critical pathway are not typically driven by its length or external factors like team member retirements or client discharges. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Choice A is a better phrasing of the correct answer, emphasizing the importance of variances showing a new trend. Choices C and D are irrelevant to the patient's progress and treatment plan, making them incorrect.

5. A client complains every morning that the night shift nursing staff does not answer his call light promptly to assist his elimination needs. His concerns are not shared with the Nurse Manager, and he falls while trying to walk to the bathroom. This fall could be attributed to which of the following?

• A. Breakdown in communication
• B. Lack of staff
• C. Lack of concern
• D. Breakdown in management

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breakdown in communication. In this scenario, the client's complaints about the night shift nursing staff not responding promptly to his call light indicate a lack of effective communication. If the client's concerns were properly communicated to the Nurse Manager, steps could have been taken to address the issue and prevent the fall. Choice B, Lack of staff, is incorrect as the issue here is not related to staffing levels but rather to communication breakdown. Choice C, Lack of concern, is not the primary cause of the fall; the root cause lies in communication failure. Choice D, Breakdown in management, while related, is not as direct a cause as the breakdown in communication which led to the fall.

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