Nursing Elites

1. The nurse manager has two employees with a longstanding conflict that is affecting the group's productivity and cohesiveness. She decides to meet with the employees in private, bring the conflict out into the open, and attempt to resolve it through knowledge and reason. Which conflict management strategy did she employ?

• A. Confrontation
• B. Suppression
• C. Collaboration
• D. Intervention

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse manager employed the conflict management strategy of 'Confrontation.' Confrontation involves bringing the conflict out into the open and attempting to resolve it through knowledge and reason, making it the most effective means of resolving conflict in this scenario. Choice B, 'Suppression,' involves ignoring or avoiding the conflict, which is not what the nurse manager did. Choice C, 'Collaboration,' refers to working together to find a mutually acceptable solution and was not explicitly mentioned in the scenario. Choice D, 'Intervention,' typically involves a third party stepping in to help resolve the conflict, which was not the case here.

2. Which of the following best describes the concept of shared governance?

• A. Top-down management
• B. Nurse-led committees
• C. Shared decision making
• D. Hierarchical structure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Shared decision making.' Shared governance in healthcare involves empowering nurses to participate in decision-making processes that affect their practice. This model fosters collaboration, transparency, and accountability among healthcare providers. Choice A, 'Top-down management,' is incorrect because shared governance promotes a bottom-up approach. Choice B, 'Nurse-led committees,' is partially correct as it is a component of shared governance, but the core concept is broader and encompasses shared decision making beyond committee leadership. Choice D, 'Hierarchical structure,' is incorrect as shared governance aims to flatten hierarchies and distribute decision-making authority among healthcare team members.

3. What is the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee?

• A. To oversee patient safety initiatives
• B. To develop staffing policies and procedures
• C. To coordinate patient care
• D. To manage nurse recruitment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee is to develop staffing policies and procedures to ensure adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. By establishing these guidelines, the committee aims to optimize patient care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, which in turn can enhance patient safety and coordination of care. While overseeing patient safety initiatives and managing nurse recruitment are important aspects of healthcare management, the core function of a nurse staffing committee is to create and implement policies that govern the allocation and distribution of nursing staff to meet patient care needs effectively. Therefore, choices A, C, and D, though relevant to healthcare, do not align with the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee as outlined in the question.

4. Which of the following best describes the concept of evidence-based management?

• A. Using personal experience to make managerial decisions
• B. Combining managerial expertise with the latest research evidence
• C. Using intuition and experience to guide management decisions
• D. Relying on peer-reviewed literature to inform management practices

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The concept of evidence-based management involves combining managerial expertise with the latest research evidence to make informed decisions. Choice A is incorrect because relying solely on personal experience may not align with the best available evidence. Choice C is incorrect as it emphasizes intuition over research evidence. Choice D is incorrect because evidence-based management involves not only peer-reviewed literature but also incorporating managerial expertise.

5. Which of the following best describes the role of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?

• A. Direct patient care provider
• B. Administrator of healthcare facilities
• C. Consultant for nursing staff
• D. Policy maker in healthcare organizations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) serves as a consultant for nursing staff, providing expert advice and guidance on clinical practice. Choice A, 'Direct patient care provider,' is incorrect as CNS typically focus more on education, research, and consultation rather than direct patient care. Choice B, 'Administrator of healthcare facilities,' is incorrect as this role is usually fulfilled by nurse administrators or nurse managers. Choice D, 'Policy maker in healthcare organizations,' is incorrect as policy-making roles are typically held by individuals in healthcare administration or government positions.

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