Nursing Elites

1. The staff on a medical-surgical unit is in conflict with the occupational therapy department. What type of communication will be used to discuss the problems?

• A. Downward communication
• B. Lateral communication
• C. Distorted communication
• D. Upward communication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lateral communication. Lateral communication occurs between individuals or departments of the same hierarchical level, making it suitable for addressing conflicts between the staff on a medical-surgical unit and the occupational therapy department. Upward communication involves communication from staff to management or from lower management to middle or upper management. Downward communication is typically directive communication from an authority figure or manager to staff. Distorted communication is not a recognized type of communication and does not apply to this scenario.

2. What is the primary goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

• A. To reduce healthcare costs
• B. To expand access to healthcare
• C. To improve healthcare quality
• D. To increase healthcare funding

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to expand access to healthcare. While reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality are important aspects, the ACA's main focus was on increasing the number of Americans with health insurance coverage and enhancing the availability and affordability of healthcare services. Increasing healthcare funding is not the primary goal of the ACA, as its main aim was to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for a larger portion of the population.

3. A group of physicians comes into conflict with the nursing staff of a unit over when AM vital signs are recorded. What type of technique might be used that respects the professionalism of both parties?

• A. Accommodating
• B. Collaboration
• C. Avoiding
• D. Competing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate technique to use is collaboration. Collaboration involves working together with mutual attention to the problem, utilizing the talents of all parties involved. This approach respects the professionalism of both physicians and nursing staff by valuing their input and expertise. Choice A, accommodating, involves giving in to the other party's concerns, which may not fully address the conflict. Choice C, avoiding, suggests ignoring or sidestepping the issue, which does not promote a resolution. Choice D, competing, involves pursuing one's own concerns at the expense of the other party's, leading to a win-lose situation, which is not conducive to resolving conflicts in a professional setting.

4. Penalties should be __________ .

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Penalties for policy violations should be progressive. This means that the disciplinary actions should escalate based on the severity or frequency of the violation. For minor infractions, like smoking in an unauthorized area, a progressive approach may include oral warnings, written warnings, suspension, and termination if the behavior persists. In contrast, major violations, such as theft, may warrant immediate and severe consequences like suspension or termination. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not address the concept of progressively escalating penalties based on the violation's severity or recurrence.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to be transferred to a long-term care facility. The client's family questions the nurse about the reasons for the transfer. Which of the following responses made by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. The transfer of your family member is being done because the provider knows what's best.
• B. Would you like us to discuss the transfer with your family member?
• C. Why are you so concerned about this transfer?
• D. I know how you feel. My parent had to be transferred to a long-term care facility.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response is A because it provides a professional and reassuring explanation for the transfer, focusing on the expertise of the healthcare provider. Choice B offers to include the family member in the discussion, which may not address their concerns directly. Choice C appears defensive and does not address the family's inquiry. Choice D shifts the focus to the nurse's personal experience, which may not be relevant or helpful to the family seeking information about their own situation.

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