Nursing Elites

1. After working at your job for 10 months and feeling unable to tolerate the tension and stress between staff nurses and the laissez-faire nurse manager who is not a leader, what is the best course of action?

• A. Submit a resignation and leave within 30 days.
• B. Complain to staff about the nurse manager.
• C. Seek another position within the healthcare organization and apply for a transfer.
• D. Inform the chief nursing officer that you are leaving and explain your dissatisfaction with the lack of leadership.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this situation, it is best to seek another position within the healthcare organization and apply for a transfer. Making professional decisions should involve careful evaluation and consideration. It is important to align personal values with the organizational culture. By seeking advice from a mentor or counselor, you can gain valuable insights and consider different perspectives. Resigning abruptly, complaining to staff, or informing the chief nursing officer without exploring other options may not be the most effective or professional approach in this scenario.

2. Which of the following is a common characteristic of a high reliability organization (HRO)?

• A. Flexibility
• B. Reluctance to simplify
• C. Preoccupation with failure
• D. Deference to expertise

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A common characteristic of a high reliability organization (HRO) is a preoccupation with failure. HROs focus on identifying and addressing potential failure points to prevent errors and maintain high levels of safety and reliability. This mindset helps them anticipate and mitigate risks proactively, leading to better outcomes and performance. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. While flexibility, reluctance to simplify, and deference to expertise may be important in various contexts, they are not the primary defining characteristics of a high reliability organization. The core focus of HROs is on continuously monitoring for potential failures and working to prevent them.

3. An RN is working through an ethical dilemma involving a patient on his unit. He has just identified the decision makers involved. Which step best describes the current stage the RN is working through?

• A. Assessment
• B. Diagnosis
• C. Planning
• D. Implementation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Planning. In the planning phase of addressing an ethical dilemma, the goals of treatment are established, decision makers are identified, and all available options are reviewed. The assessment phase involves collecting data and information, the diagnosis phase involves analyzing the information to identify the problem, and the implementation phase involves carrying out the chosen plan of action. Therefore, in this scenario, where decision makers are being identified, the RN is in the planning stage.

4. How can a staff nurse recognize they are experiencing burnout? (EXCEPT)

• A. They are spending more time talking to staff on other units.
• B. Staff is questioning their clinical judgment.
• C. They sleep longer hours, sometimes coming in late to work.
• D. They are drinking alcohol more frequently to relax.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Recognizing burnout is essential to maintaining quality patient care. Spending more time talking to staff on other units is a common practice and does not necessarily indicate burnout. On the other hand, staff questioning their clinical judgment, sleeping longer hours or coming in late to work, and resorting to alcohol to relax are signs of burnout. These behaviors can impact patient care and indicate the professional is struggling to cope with stressors.

5. Which of the following is an example of total time lost?

• A. Number of days off that an employee asks for
• B. Number of scheduled days missed
• C. Number of days missed
• D. Number of days perceived to be absent

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Total time lost refers to the number of scheduled days that an employee misses. This includes days that were planned to be worked but were not. Choice A, 'Number of days off that an employee asks for,' is not necessarily time lost as these are approved absences. Choice C, 'Number of days missed,' is vague and does not specify if they are scheduled or unscheduled. Choice D, 'Number of days perceived to be absent,' is subjective and does not clearly relate to scheduled time lost.

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