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. Which of the following is an example of an environmental factor that could influence decision-making in nursing?

• A. Personal preferences
• B. Ethical considerations
• C. Availability of resources
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'All of the above.' Environmental factors encompass a wide range of influences on decision-making in nursing. Personal preferences can impact how a nurse chooses a course of action, ethical considerations guide decision-making based on moral principles, and the availability of resources determines the options that are feasible. Therefore, all of these factors play a significant role in influencing decision-making in nursing. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of them individually represents a specific environmental factor, whereas the correct answer D acknowledges that all of these factors collectively contribute to influencing decision-making.

3. A manager is prioritizing the following issues. Of the following issues, which should be considered urgent and important?

• A. The manager of physical therapy calls and complains about inappropriate behaviors of one of the staff nurses with one of his therapists.
• B. A staff nurse reports a pattern of malfunctioning IV pumps on the unit during her current shift, resulting in overdosing of medications.
• C. One of the staff nurses, who would have been an extra nurse for the next shift, calls in sick.
• D. A small group of staff nurses request a meeting to discuss initiating a scheduling committee.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare settings. Malfunctioning IV pumps leading to medication overdosing poses a direct threat to patient safety and must be addressed urgently. Choice A involves interpersonal issues between staff members which are important but can be addressed in a less urgent manner compared to patient safety concerns. Choice C, a staff nurse calling in sick, is important for staffing but can be managed through existing protocols. Choice D, initiating a scheduling committee, is a routine operational matter that can be addressed at a later time and does not pose an immediate risk to patient safety.

4. Which theory emphasizes the long-range plan rather than rewards?

• A. Equity theory.
• B. Development.
• C. Goal setting.
• D. Extinction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Goal setting. Goal-setting theory emphasizes that it is the goal itself that motivates a person to exert effort, not just the rewards or outcomes. This theory focuses on setting specific and challenging goals to enhance performance. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Equity theory relates to fairness in social exchanges, Development theory concerns personal growth and advancement, and Extinction refers to the disappearance of a behavior when it is no longer reinforced.

5. An RN is explaining to a student nurse what professionalism in nursing means. Which of the following statements, if made by the student nurse, demonstrates teaching has been successful?

• A. Commitment to others means I should be honest and accountable for my actions.
• B. I should encourage my fellow nurses to talk when they are having a bad day.
• C. I should be flexible with myself and my fellow nurses when it comes to the dress code.
• D. If I need a day off, I should promptly call in sick to give my manager plenty of time to find a replacement.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Commitment to others involves accountability for one’s actions, lifelong learning, and commitment to colleagues.

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