NRS 224 Final Part 2 (Sullivan Ch. 9, 10, 11, 14, 27)
As part of a new time management initiative, the nurse manager is creating a "to-do" list. How should the manager structure this list? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Focus on the events that are planned for each day. 2. Focus on the activities the manager expects for the day. 3. Block out time for the unexpected. 4. Be certain the list is flexible. 5. Do not create a "to-do" list for more than one day at a time.
Answer: 3, 4
The nurse manager must attend to several tasks this afternoon. Which tasks would the manager categorize as urgent? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Waiting for pharmacy to call back about a meeting time 2. Planning a staff meeting for next week 3. Assisting a family whose child is in the emergency department 4. Finding replacements for two staff members on the next shift who called in sick 5. Trying to organize the visitor take-out menus
Answer: 3, 4
A nurse has made several "near errors" in client care in the last 2 months. The nurse manager says, "These are simple errors. You just aren't listening." How could the nurse improve listening skills in this situation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. The nurse should try to think ahead about what the person talking is going to say. 2. The nurse should hold eye contact with the speaker at all times. 3. When listening to instructions, the nurse should ask anyone who interrupts to wait a moment. 4. The nurse should get sufficient time away from work to rest. 5. The nurse should be careful not to prejudge what the speaker is going to say.
Answer: 3, 4, 5
A staff nurse frequently interrupts the nurse manager with problems that the staff nurse could solve. What should the manager say to correct this behavior? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I am no longer going to interrupt my work for you." 2. "Let me see what I can do about the problem you are having." 3. "Is this a problem you can handle yourself?" 4. "You have the skills to solve this issue." 5. "I trust you to solve this problem."
Answer: 3, 4, 5
The nurse is always intimidated when asking a physician to clarify orders. Which statements should the nurse use to help counteract this feeling? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I'm sorry, doctor, but I need for you to repeat the dosage on that medication order." 2. "Doctor, what was the dosage on that medication you ordered, and do you want the client up in a chair today?" 3. "How often did you want the furosemide given?" 4. "Uh, can you tell me if you need for this client to be NPO today?" 5. "Doctor, what rate did you want for the IV?"
Answer: 3, 5
A group of nurses has been convened to solve a problem. As the first step in this process, the group leader asks for a definition of the problem to be solved. Which statement reflects the best problem statement? 1. Emergency department nurses do not make professional client handoff reports. 2. Long-term care facility nurses lack the education to make complete assessments prior to client transfers. 3. Housekeepers are getting sloppy about cleaning rooms. 4. Unit clerks have made 10 transcription errors in the last 6 months.
Answer: 4
A nurse manager has identified that a major time waster is the amount of time spent on the telephone each day. Which strategy would help reduce this time? 1. Answer the phone, "Hello, how are you?" 2. Send all calls to voice mail. 3. Use email for potentially troublesome issues. 4. Set a specific block of time to return calls.
Answer: 4
In the morning care conference, the nurse instructs the assistant to feed breakfast to the clients in beds 2234, 2230, and 2241. The assistant indicates understanding of the assignment and repeats the bed numbers back to the nurse. What is the nurse's next step? 1. Check with the assistant to see how the assignment is going during the time breakfast is served. 2. Check the client's breakfast trays before they are returned to dietary. 3. Check with the clients to see if they had breakfast. 4. At the end of the shift, ask the assistant how the clients ate.
Answer: 1
The nurse has attended a "how to" refresher course on successful delegation. Which statement indicates successful learning has taken place? 1. "I knew that effective delegation made my job easier, but I never thought about how it could benefit the hospital." 2. "The clients on our unit come and go so frequently that delegation is of little benefit." 3. "I just don't understand why people think delegation is difficult; all you have to do is tell other people what to do." 4. "Now I know that effective delegation means telling my nursing staff when they need to have their regular work done."
Answer: 1
The nurse manager has decided to work on personal time-management skills. What should this manager do first? 1. Review patterns of time use. 2. Purchase a new notebook system for time management. 3. Identify essential job activities. 4. Set a goal of prioritizing tasks every morning.
Answer: 1
The nurse manager has determined that two staff nurses need to be hired. Which factor is most critical as the nurse manager prepares to submit the request to administration? 1. Timing of the request 2. Negative inquiry 3. Compromise 4. Persistence
Answer: 1
The nurse manager has planned a meeting that all staff nurses have to attend. Which method would most efficiently notify the staff members of the meeting time? 1. Email 2. Voice mail 3. Memo 4. Telephone call
Answer: 1
The nurse manager routinely experiences stress related to deadlines for projects. What should be the nurse's first action to control this stress? 1. Identify the actual stressor and the precipitating factors. 2. Plan activities to minimize time constraints to reduce stress. 3. Set aside a block of time each day for stress reduction. 4. Engage in distraction activities to minimize the stress.
Answer: 1
The person who has just been promoted to nurse manager is male. If this nurse communicates in a way that is considered typical for men, what can the staff expect? 1. He will focus more on the issue than on personal experience. 2. He will strive to reach consensus within the group. 3. He will strive to avoid conflict within the group. 4. He will prefer to ask questions rather than make statements.
Answer: 1
The staff nurse is unsure of the correct protocol for calling in sick to work. The nursing supervisor told the nurse to call the nursing office; however, the nurse manager told the nurse to call the unit. This issue is likely the result of which distorted communication? 1. Intersender conflict 2. Intrasender conflict 3. Metacommunication 4. Downward communication
Answer: 1
The staff nurse job description states that the nurse is responsible for attending hospital committee meetings as assigned. The nurse manager asking the staff member to attend a risk management meeting is an example of which concept? 1. Work assignment 2. Overdelegation 3. Ineffective delegation 4. Transfer of authority
Answer: 1
A novice nurse manager is devising a schedule to meet the needs of the staff, clients, and other disciplines on the unit. Which is the most important method to counteract wasted time in nursing? 1. Delegate routine activities to concentrate on other tasks. 2. Assign a staff member to attend management meetings. 3. Redesign the position so that the nurse manager works when the unit is not busy. 4. Strictly adhere to a rule that the manager will see only staff members who make appointments.
Answer: 1
A nurse frequently has to work late and has no time to do required training while at work. She has to do it on her days off. Choose the work-related time waster that commonly puts nurses in this position. 1. Unscheduled tasks delaying those that are scheduled 2. An overwhelming amount of work to do 3. Taking longer-than-scheduled breaks 4. Volunteering for extra responsibilities
Answer: 1
A nurse manager is working on several projects and is stressed most of the time. This manager prefers working at the unit desk instead of in the office to be certain nothing on the unit is missed. Which would be the most effective method to decrease this manager's stress? 1. Keep a structured schedule for "work time" on each project in the office. 2. Elicit assistance from employees to help complete the projects. 3. Allow one project to fall behind while finishing up the others. 4. Take a sick day to work on the projects uninterrupted at home.
Answer: 1
A nursing supervisor has a report due and just cannot seem to find the time to get it completed. One day before it is due, the supervisor turns it in. This situation best exemplifies which time waster? 1. The supervisor waited for the deadline pressure to increase the priority. 2. The report was one of the last tasks on the "to-do" list. 3. The supervisor has no interest in the topic of the report. 4. The report format is unfamiliar to the nursing supervisor.
Answer: 1
An employee is sabotaging the work of a newly oriented charge nurse, and the charge nurse has not been successful in addressing the problem. When the nurse manager addresses the issue, which is the most appropriate statement? 1. "I know it must be frustrating working with a new charge nurse, but how can we make this situation better?" 2. "This is not professional behavior, and you need to stop it or you will lose your job the next time I hear about it." 3. "I know the charge nurse is new to the role, but you should get used to it or there will be more changes." 4. "I know the new charge nurse is difficult to work with, but please help make the job easier to do."
Answer: 1
During an evaluation conference, the nurse manager observes nonverbal messages, including nodding in agreement and smiling. These behaviors are examples of which aspect of communication? 1. Metacommunication 2. Intrasender conflict 3. Fogging 4. Intersender conflict
Answer: 1
How can a nurse who is consistently falling behind at work improve to become more organized and disciplined? 1. Use the same system every day to organize client care and required activities such as paperwork. 2. Ask the nurse manager to grant permission for fewer client assignments until more experience with organization is achieved. 3. Ask the unit secretary to do required paperwork to decrease the amount of time required. 4. Practice a shorter client assessment technique to minimize the time required for this activity.
Answer: 1
Which statement represents a situation is which delegation is ineffective or inappropriate? 1. The RN asks the LPN to assist with admissions by assessing the clients as they get to their rooms. 2. The RN delegates administration of oral medications for a group of clients to the LPN. 3. The LPN directs the unlicensed assistant to report vital sign changes on a postoperative client to the RN. 4. The nurse manager asks the RN to act as chairperson for today's unit council meeting because the charge nurse went home sick.
Answer: 1
Which is the most important reason that practicing and mastering effective delegation skills is essential for nurses? 1. Higher job satisfaction 2. Greater confidence in skills 3. Higher client satisfaction 4. Increased time for other tasks
Answer: 3
Which situation is an example of reverse delegation? 1. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to attend an in-service on a new product. 2. The nursing supervisor asks the nurse manager to attend a meeting with the physicians. 3. The licensed practical nurse asks the nurse manager to administer insulin to a client. 4. The staff nurse asks the licensed practical nurse to record intake and output in his client's charts.
Answer: 3
Which situation represents an obstacle to delegation? 1. Most of the nursing staff deliver highly skilled care. 2. The entire organization has a team-centered culture. 3. There is a budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. 4. Each employee knows and executes job responsibilities.
Answer: 3
Which statement made by the nurse manager is an example of the first step of delegation? 1. "I must choose a person with good time management skills to be the delegate for this task." 2. "I plan to evaluate the outcomes of your work in 6 months." 3. "I am going to delegate the responsibility for creating the vacation schedule." 4. "I have some additional information that will help you in this task."
Answer: 3
A nurse manager's week is filled with handling routine and repetitive issues. Which strategy should the manager employ to make handling these tasks most effective and efficient? 1. Ask those involved to leave voice mail messages about any routine matter. 2. Encourage those involved in routine matters to call between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. each day. 3. Keep the office door open to be accessible to those dealing with these routine tasks. 4. Hold a meeting each week especially for dealing with routine and nonurgent matters.
Answer: 4
A nurse says, "I am always worried that I will be liable if someone I delegate a task to does something that hurts the client." What is the manager's best response to this concern? 1. "You have lots of liability in your position as an RN." 2. "The hospital will support you as long as you follow your job description." 3. "You are at greater liability if you try to do everything yourself." 4. "As long as you follow the five rights of delegation, your liability is minimal."
Answer: 4
An inexperienced speaker is practicing delivering a speech. Which statement indicates a lack of understanding about how easily communication is distorted? 1. "I know I can better connect with my audience with good eye contact." 2. "If I repeat a complicated section in another way, comprehension is improved." 3. "If I know the background of the audience, it can help with tailoring the content." 4. "The topic is not complicated, so I don't have to worry about misunderstanding."
Answer: 4
For the last several weeks, the nurse manager has felt as if there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all the required tasks. The manager goes home exhausted and does not look forward to going to work in the morning. What strategy may help alleviate some of this stress? 1. Do tasks as quickly as possible. 2. Hurry through work, hoping someone else will catch any mistakes that are made. 3. Do not start any new tasks after lunch. 4. Pick a simple task and complete it just before going home each day.
Answer: 4
In which situation should the nurse be most concerned that communication was distorted? 1. The nurse obtains an admission history from the parents of an adopted child. 2. The nurse gives discharge instructions to a couple in their early 80s. 3. The nurse manager hires a new nurse originally from the Philippines. 4. The emergency nurse receives a confused client who was transferred in an ambulance.
Answer: 4
The novice nurse manager is hesitant to delegate tasks to competent, experienced staff nurses. Fear of which factor is most likely to explain this hesitancy? 1. Overburdening others 2. Decreased personal satisfaction 3. Increased liability 4. Competition and criticism
Answer: 4
The nurse has been concentrating on improving personal communication skills. Which option represents the final step in this nurse's work to improve communication? 1. Think about the goals of the communication. 2. Develop an appropriate and thoughtful response. 3. Decide how to say what you want conveyed. 4. Ensure the communication is understood.
Answer: 4
The nurse manager holds a regular Wednesday meeting with the charge nurses on the unit. There is no new information to discuss this Wednesday. What should the manager do? 1. Hold the meeting so that the charge nurses do not feel that the meetings are not important. 2. Hold the meeting, but only meet for 10 minutes instead of the usual 60 minutes. 3. Reschedule the meeting for Thursday. 4. Cancel the meeting.
Answer: 4
The nurse manager is concerned about a family member's complaint regarding the professional behavior of a nurse on the unit. Which is the most effective method to address this issue? 1. Post a memo to the nursing staff about expected professional behavior. 2. Send an email to the nursing staff about expected professional behavior. 3. Address the complaint with the individual nurse in a telephone conversation. 4. Discuss the complaint with the individual nurse face-to-face.
Answer: 4
The nurse manager is significantly behind in the required paperwork for the job. How can the manager rectify this situation? 1. Make stacks of work on the corner of the desk so the work can be seen. 2. Use paper for all communication so a record is kept. 3. Discontinue subscriptions to all journals. 4. Set a goal to work on paperwork for a portion of every day.
Answer: 4
The nursing supervisor states, "I really don't have the time to delegate this task to a nurse manager. I can do it faster!" What is the most likely basis for this statement? 1. The nursing supervisor does not have time to delegate. 2. The nursing supervisor's job description needs to be redefined. 3. The nursing supervisor feels that he or she can do the job faster. 4. The nursing supervisor is concerned that staff is ill-prepared to assume additional responsibilities.
Answer: 4
The nursing supervisor would like to delegate an information-gathering task. All the people listed have the ability to perform the task. In general, whom should the supervisor ask to do this work? 1. A nurse manager 2. A staff nurse 3. A licensed practical nurse 4. An unlicensed nursing assistant
Answer: 4
The staff nurse would like to improve personal communication with peers, patients, and the medical staff. Which strategy would be most effective for this nurse? 1. Plan to be more assertive in all communication. 2. Work to manage fear of conflict. 3. First learn to delegate clearly to others. 4. Attend the hospital-based communication training.
Answer: 4
Which activities are similar enough that they could be grouped to better manage time? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Restocking the medication cart 2. Discussing a diet request with a new client 3. Calling for extra linen from laundry 4. Searching the internet for an unfamiliar client diagnosis 5. Emailing a colleague a question about the schedule
Answer: 4, 5
Which strategies would decrease the amount of time the nurse manager spends with "drop-in" visitors to the manager's office? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Set office hours to eliminate those visits. 2. Keep the office door closed. 3. Arrange furniture so the desk faces the door. 4. Stand up to greet the visitor and remain standing. 5. Encourage appointments for routine matters.
Answer: 4, 5
Which example represents a qualifier that may interfere with the message being communicated? 1. "Please notify me when this task is complete." 2. "Are you satisfied with the care you are receiving?" 3. "I hate to bother you with this, but we have a problem." 4. "How can I help you solve your issues with this physician?"
Answer: 3
The nurse manager has several tasks that need to be accomplished. Which task is the manager likely to do first? 1. A large job that holds little interest to the manager 2. A difficult task that is going to require several days to complete 3. A task that has been assigned by the supervisor instead of a task that the manager thinks will benefit the unit 4. A task that will have little impact on the unit
Answer: 3
The nurse manager is writing annual evaluations for each nurse. In order to promote professional development, it is vital for the nurse manager and nurse to become involved in which activity? 1. Personal organization 2. Priority setting 3. Goal setting 4. Limit setting
Answer: 3
The nurse manager needs to delegate specific tasks to the charge nurse of the unit. Which action is an appropriate use of delegation? 1. Instructing the charge nurse to assume a client team 2. Asking the charge nurse to discipline a nurse on the unit 3. Having the charge nurse lead a nursing quality assurance task force 4. Evaluating all unlicensed personnel assigned to the unit
Answer: 3
A nurse manager approaches the nursing supervisor with a request for approval to incorporate 12-hour shifts into scheduling. The supervisor denies the request, stating this staffing pattern was used previously with poor outcomes. Which responses by the nurse manager may positively influence the supervisor? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I agree it was not effective years ago, but other units have now had success with it." 2. "What were your specific concerns about the 12-hour shifts?" 3. "I think it is unfair to refuse my unit this opportunity based on the past." 4. "Why are you always so opposed to change on my unit?" 5. "If we don't offer alternative staffing patterns, we aren't going to be able to attract new hires."
Answer: 1, 2
A nurse manager is aware that there is a strong "grapevine" communication system on the unit. The manager elects to use this grapevine to distribute information about an upcoming change in unit policy. In making this decision, the manager should consider which possibilities? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. The information may be rapidly disseminated. 2. The information may be altered as it moves across the grapevine. 3. Most people try to spread information accurately. 4. Most people do not pay any attention to the grapevine. 5. Professional nurses do not participate in grapevine communication.
Answer: 1, 2
Which directions given by the nurse to the assistant are most likely to be understood and completed correctly? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "Here are your directions for this morning. Please give the clients in rooms 2156, 2158, and 2159 total bed baths." 2. "Go to the diet kitchen and get a cup of apple juice for the client in room 2112." 3. "Ambulate the clients on the south wing." 4. "Do you think you'll have time to do shampoos today?" 5. "It might be a good idea to get the client in room 2110 up in the chair this morning. Or maybe it would be better to wait until this afternoon."
Answer: 1, 2
A nurse manager has felt overwhelmed by work the last few months. After putting in many hours of unpaid overtime, the workload is beginning to stabilize. The nursing supervisor asks the manager to take on a new task that is exciting and stimulating. What should the manager do? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Consider how much work will be added to the current workload. 2. Tell the supervisor no. 3. Talk with the supervisor about decreasing another work responsibility if this project is accepted. 4. Accept the assignment and plan to continue to work very hard until it is completed. 5. Accept the assignment, but only if additional salary is offered.
Answer: 1, 2, 3
The manager is working on the budget, and time wasters are preventing completion. The manager knows that common time wasters include which of the following items? 1. Failure to delegate 2. Organization and self-discipline 3. Interruptions 4. Inability to say "no" 5. Meetings
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Which strategies would decrease the amount of time the nurse manager spends answering texts and email messages and interruptions? 1. Turn the phone's notification feature off. 2. Discourage people from sending unwanted emails. 3. Enable filter to send texts and email messages to a spam folder. 4. Post available office hours on the office door. 5. Check email once a day.
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
During the first staff meeting, a newly promoted nurse manager says, "I would like a commitment from all the nurses to review and improve the way delegation is done on the unit." Why would the manager be interested in delegation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Effective delegation allows the manager to focus more time on management tasks. 2. Efficiency is increased by effective delegation. 3. If the manager has more time to focus on managerial duties, there is more chance of career advancement. 4. The nurse manager thinks unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) provide better bedside care than nurses do. 5. The manager is interested in developing the entire staff to its maximum potential.
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5
In order to delegate, what must be present? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegate 2. Accountability for the assignment on the part of the delegator 3. Authority by the delegator to assign the task to the delegate 4. Responsibility for task completion on the part of the delegator 5. Authority of the delegate to accomplish the task as assigned
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5
What are reasons that nurses fail to manage time effectively? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Nurses do tasks they enjoy doing before the ones they do not enjoy. 2. Nurses do things that bring the most immediate closure first. 3. Nurses respond on the basis of who wants something. 4. Nurses do uninteresting jobs before interesting jobs. 5. Nurses work on things in the order of their arrival.
Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5
Which situations would cause concern about liability with regard to delegation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. The nurse asks the LPN to change a central line dressing. 2. The nursing supervisor asks the nurse for details about a client's history. 3. The nursing assistant asks a nurse to check the status of a client on the team. 4. The supervisor asks the charge nurse to give a nurse a difficult assignment. 5. The charge nurse asks a staff nurse's opinion on the client's surgical incision.
Answer: 1, 2, 4
A colleague frequently forwards funny emails to everyone on her contact list. The nurse manager does not have time to look at the emails and is aggravated when they appear. How should the manager handle this situation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Set the email filter to divert the messages to a spam folder. 2. Tell the sender that the manager is not allowed to get personal emails at work. 3. Forward the emails back to the sender. 4. Send the colleague an email that reads, "Stop wasting my time with these emails." 5. Delete the messages without opening them.
Answer: 1, 2, 4, 5
What action is necessary by a delegate accepting delegation? 1. Accept all aspects of the task delegated. 2. Assume the delegator will serve as a mentor. 3. Clarify the time line and expectations. 4. Realize the delegate and delegator share responsibility.
Answer: 3
A healthcare organization has provided intensive education to staff regarding benefits and correct methods of delegation. Why has the organization spent the time and money to sponsor these sessions? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Good delegation helps to reduce overtime. 2. Absences decrease when delegation is used correctly. 3. Delegation is required by state boards of nursing. 4. Patient satisfaction scores increase when care is efficient and effective. 5. Good delegation increases productivity.
Answer: 1, 2, 4, 5
Which situations are examples of ineffective delegation? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. After delegating committee attendance to a staff nurse, the nurse manager also attends the meetings. 2. The unit clerk asks the nurse manager to "listen for the phones" so the clerk can go to the hospital's celebration of hospital week. 3. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to collect information about a new type of hospital bed being considered for purchase. 4. The staff nurse asks the UAP to provide simple discharge instructions to a client. 5. The staff nurse often bathes clients because "I like to give bed baths."
Answer: 1, 2, 4, 5
The nurse manager has asked that another staff nurse position be funded for the unit. The supervisor denies the request. Which statements by the manager are examples of negative assertion?Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I know I haven't been too careful in keeping personnel costs low, but we are really going to need another position." 2. "I don't see why another position cannot be funded. We have met our budget each year for the last 3 years." 3. "I realize that my staff is not always positive about organizational changes, but having this extra staff member might reduce some of their stress." 4. "I can understand what you said about budget being tight, but we still need the position." 5. "Do you not understand how hard my nurses are working?"
Answer: 1, 3
Which statements would be important for the charge nurse to make when delegating a responsibility? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I think it would be important to our organization if you represent the unit on the policy and procedure committee." 2. "I have assigned you to be the unit's representative because I don't have enough time to go." 3. "I think your attendance at the task force meeting will be a good reflection on our unit." 4. "I chose you to attend the meeting because it seems as though you have the lightest assignment." 5. "I would like you to be the unit's representative on the client education task force committee."
Answer: 1, 3
A nurse is participating in time-management education. This week's assignment is to compile a list of personal goals. Which of these goals should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I will lose 10 pounds by Christmas." 2. "My family will have more fun." 3. "I will read for pleasure for 1 hour every day after work." 4. "I will not be late for work." 5. "We will save $200 monthly for the next 12 months for a car down payment."
Answer: 1, 3, 5
A nurse often has difficulty explaining and getting a clear message through to the receiver. Which communication skills will help the nurse to improve communication. Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Check timing 2. Expect respect 3. Consider relationship to receiver 4. Find an interpreter 5. Reply appropriately
Answer: 1, 3, 5
Which statements indicate that a nurse manager is using time reactively? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "We were so busy yesterday that I did not get the schedule completed." 2. "I knew that we would be busy over the holiday, so I ordered extra supplies." 3. "We have so many new graduates on our unit that our work is never caught up." 4. "I am putting a summary of a research article on the board each week since I realize many of the nurses do not read journals." 5. "I am really concerned about what the nursing supervisor said about our unit. I can't get it off my mind."
Answer: 1, 3, 5
The RN plans to delegate responsibility of client care to a certified nursing assistant (CNA). 1. Assist a client to shower. 2. Start an IV. 3. Administer oral medications. 4. Take vital signs. 5. Discontinue an IV.
Answer: 1, 4
The nurse manager needs to cover vacation shifts and must decide whether to use agency nurses or the PRN nursing pool. The manager must decide between the two choices. Decision making includes which steps? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Seek alternatives. 2. Make a decision. 3. Define the problem. 4. Weigh the criteria. 5. Troubleshoot.
Answer: 1, 4, 5
The nurse manager works at a rural hospital and is in charge of a medical unit. Another nurse manager is in charge of the adjacent surgical unit. Equipment is shared between the two units. The surgical unit manager frequently confronts and intimidates the manager of the medical unit regarding the use of the equipment. Which strategies could the manager of the medical unit use to generate feelings of personal power? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Body language 2. Power plays 3. Arguing 4. Word choices 5. Listening
Answer: 1, 4, 5
A newly appointed nurse manager has just completed education on time-management skills. Which statement would the instructor evaluate as indicating this nurse understands the basic concepts of time management? 1. "My job as a nurse manager is so dynamic that I probably will not be able to attain true time management." 2. "The key to using time management is to respect my time as well as the time of others." 3. "If I am going to be able to manage time, the hospital will need to invest in a computer-based time-management system." 4. "The most important aspect of time management for me is to manage paperwork flow."
Answer: 2
Which situations are examples of the nurse directing rather than delegating? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. A nurse manager asks a staff nurse to participate in a standing hospital committee. 2. A staff nurse asks the assistant to sit with the roommate of a client who has just died. 3. During a code blue situation, a nurse tells another nurse to start an IV. 4. A nurse tells an assistant to move a client into the hallway during severe weather. 5. A nurse reminds assistants of standard protocol for evacuation in case of fire.
Answer: 2, 3, 4
A nurse asks an unlicensed assistant to help with discharging clients because so many are going home at one time. The nurse states, "Can you help get these clients ready to go home by helping them pack?" Which option best describes the statement with regard to effective delegation? 1. The delegation is ineffective because the nurse has no responsibility to pack the client's belongings. 2. Delegation would have been more effective had the nurse been more specific about which clients and when it should be completed. 3. The delegation is ineffective because the nurse has no authority to ask the unlicensed assistant to help with client discharge. 4. Delegation could have more effective had the nurse gone with the assistant to ensure the assistant did the packing as requested.
Answer: 2
A nurse manager must place a telephone call to a colleague who always wants to chat socially for several minutes. The manager does not have time for a social call. What is the best time for the manager to make this call? 1. At 9:00 a.m., after physician rounds are complete 2. A few minutes before the colleague usually goes to lunch 3. In the middle of the afternoon 4. First thing in the morning, just after shift report
Answer: 2
A nurse plans to seek employment in an acute-care setting after graduation. Which form of communication would be most effective in applying for a position? 1. Send an email to the nurse manager, requesting a job interview. 2. Send a written letter and résumé in the mail. 3. Call the nurse manager to ask if any jobs are open. 4. Drop into the nurse manager's office to discuss employment options.
Answer: 2
The nurse has a concern regarding the quality of care being provided in the hospital. What should the nurse consider first before communicating this concern? 1. The medium of the message 2. The relationship between the nurse and the receiver of the message 3. The timing of the message 4. What to include in the message
Answer: 2
The nurse manager gave the unit secretary complete responsibility for the unit's staffing, including finding replacements for call-ins and disciplining nurses with excessive call-ins. This is an example of which type of delegation? 1. Effective delegation 2. Overdelegation 3. Reverse delegation 4. Underdelegation
Answer: 2
The nurse manager is counseling a male nurse about several recent incidents in which female nurses complained that he was abrupt and condescending. What advice should the manager give this nurse? 1. "Make sure that anything you say is clear and concise." 2. "Don't feel as if you are responsible for fixing every problem." 3. "Avoid using phrases such as 'sort of' when talking to females." 4. "Don't personalize everything."
Answer: 2
The nurse manager should be most careful not to hold preconceived beliefs when listening to which person? 1. The hospital administrator discussing next year's budget 2. A staff nurse the manager has worked with for 25 years 3. A newly licensed nurse who is hesitant to address the manager 4. A physician discussing prognosis with the client and family
Answer: 2
The nurse prepares the medication ordered for the client. The nurse asks the nurse assistant to give the medication when the client receives breakfast and to report on the task at its completion. The nurse assistant agrees. Which component of the steps of delegation was violated by this request? 1. Defining the task 2. Deciding on the delegate 3. Determining the task 4. Reaching agreement
Answer: 2
What is the most important reason that excellent communication skills are essential for nurses? 1. Nurses must communicate with all disciplines. 2. All nursing activities occur in relationships. 3. Interpersonal skills get the work done. 4. Good communication ensures no problems occur.
Answer: 2
When driving toward a meeting, the nursing supervisor gets a call explaining the meeting is to be delayed for about 30 minutes. Which activity is the best use of this supervisor's waiting time? 1. Listen to music on the radio. 2. Drive to the meeting place and read the minutes from the last meeting. 3. Stop by the closest store and get doughnuts to share with everyone. 4. Use the time to make some personal phone calls.
Answer: 2
When the nurse manager orders supplies for the unit, which communication mode is best? 1. Telephone 2. Email 3. In person 4. Voice mail
Answer: 2
Which situation indicates that the nurse needs additional training on effective delegation? 1. The charge nurse tells the unlicensed assistant to help prepare rooms for new clients. 2. The office nurse calls in orders for admission on a client following a surgical complication. 3. A rehabilitation nurse asks a physical therapy assistant to assist a client with ambulation around the facility. 4. A home health nurse calls the office and asks another nurse to make the visit to her next client.
Answer: 2
A nurse manager who is retiring is helping the new manager learn about the position. As part of this education, the current manager has the new manager make all decisions that can be made under certainty. What conditions will these decisions have in common? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. There is risk associated with the decision. 2. The alternatives are known. 3. The conditions of each alternative are clear. 4. Possible consequences of alternatives are not known. 5. The decision is complex and dynamic.
Answer: 2, 3
A problem has arisen on a unit with primarily Generation X nursing staff. Which strategies should the nurse manager employ to get staff input into solving this problem? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Schedule a staff meeting for discussion of the problem and its possible solutions. 2. Post a notice on the bulletin board explaining the issue. 3. Ask nurses individually for input. 4. Develop a possible solution and share it with nurses in a formal meeting. 5. Ask for input in text message and promise to respond to texts immediately.
Answer: 2, 3
The nursing supervisor is assessing a unit that has received several written complaints. The nurse manager seems overwhelmed and stressed trying to address many client situations. The charge nurse is trying to help everyone at once. Based on this assessment, what might this supervisor conclude? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. The nurse manager is inexperienced and needs time to adjust. 2. The unit culture may foster distrust and poor communication among staff. 3. Client complaints are usually an indicator of a larger unit problem. 4. Nurses on the unit are in need of additional training and skills. 5. The unit is short staffed.
Answer: 2, 3, 4
A nursing supervisor warns the nurse manager, "Having access to electronic communication is not always a blessing." How should the manager interpret this warning? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Electronic communication wastes more time than it saves. 2. The manager does not have to be physically present in the facility for communication to take place. 3. If not used effectively, electronic communication can prevent the manager from getting rest. 4. Along with a flatter organization and easy access, the nurse manager's job responsibilities have increased. 5. In today's healthcare environment, there is pressure to do more with less.
Answer: 2, 3, 4, 5
The nursing supervisor is planning an education session on collaborative communication between nurses and physicians. Which topics should be on this agenda? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Interdisciplinary respect 2. Understanding the role of the physician 3. Understanding the role of the nurse 4. Communication across disciplines 5. Active listening skills
Answer: 2, 3, 4, 5
A nurse manager is delegating a new, complex task to the unit secretary. Which strategies should the manager use? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Begin the instruction with a statement such as "It would be good if you could help me with this project." 2. Make eye contact with the secretary when explaining the task. 3. Talk to the secretary in person rather than by telephone or in an email. 4. Introduce the generalities of the task with a promise that details such as a time line will follow shortly. 5. Discuss the importance of the task to the organization.
Answer: 2, 3, 5
A nurse on a mission trip needs a urinary catheter for an infant. The nurse only has a pediatric feeding tube and must think creatively. The nurse knows the creative process includes which stages? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and not incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Communication 2. Incubation 3. Verification 4. Innovation 5. Insight
Answer: 2, 3, 5
The nurse supervisor would like to delegate accreditation preparation activities to the nurse manager. The manager is unsure of what is expected and has no experience with accreditation. How should the manager respond? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "I'll be glad to work on this task." 2. "I will need some education on the accreditation process before I can accept this task." 3. "I don't have time to add that to my work." 4. "Please tell me more about what this assignment entails." 5. "I'm not interested in working on this project."
Answer: 2, 4
An RN prepares for the day and makes a list of what should be delegated to the LPN. Which tasks should the nurse delegate to the LPN? 1. Assess a surgical incision. 2. Turn and reposition the client with a decubitus ulcer every two hours. 3. Dressing change and assessment of newly debrided wound. 4. Assessment two new admissions. 5. Administer all oral medications to clients on the unit.
Answer: 2, 5
A newly licensed nurse is concerned about the legal aspects of delegation. What is the most important question for the nurse to consider prior to delegating a task? 1. Do other nurses in the facility delegate similar tasks? 2. How long has the assistant worked at the facility? 3. Does this task involve nursing judgment? 4. How busy is the delegate?
Answer: 3
A staff nurse asks the nurse manager, "What assignment are you delegating to me today? I would like to begin to organize my day before shift report begins." What is the error inherent in this statement? 1. There is no way for the nurse to know how to organize until the assignment is clear. 2. The nurse manager would not make assignments. 3. The nurse manager is not delegating but rather making daily assignments. 4. Assignment occurs after shift report.
Answer: 3
A student who is about to graduate is discussing the future with a nursing instructor. The instructor asks the student, "What schedule are you interested in working? What organization is near your home?" The student says that salary is the most important thing. Which response by the instructor would be appropriate? 1. "Because you have been in school for so long, the most important thing to you is to get a job that pays well." 2. "I would focus on those organizations that pay premium wages for nurses." 3. "A small difference in salary is less important than working in an organization where you can obtain your future goals." 4. "Money is not important; the job is important."
Answer: 3
After several near-incidents during procedures, the nurse manager is increasingly concerned about how nursing staff members communicate with physician staff. Which advice from the manager would be most beneficial to the nursing staff? 1. "Don't forget, you are just as good as they are." 2. "Physicians just don't listen as well as nurses." 3. "Let's review the steps of the procedures that we know are the biggest problems." 4. "I'm going to listen to the physicians, but I think most of the problem is with the physicians, not the nurses."
Answer: 3
For the nurse to effectively and legally delegate, which document must be consulted and followed to reduce the likelihood of liability? 1. The American Nurses Association Bylaws 2. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing 3. The regulations of the state nurse practice acts 4. The rules of the governing specialty organization
Answer: 3
The hospital chief operating officer holds monthly focus groups with the purpose of gaining ideas and insights from nursing administration and staff nurses. Which type of communication does this indicate? 1. Lateral communication 2. Downward communication 3. Diagonal communication 4. Grapevine communication
Answer: 3
The nurse asks the nurse manager if he can go home early because the census is low. When the request is denied, the nurse states, "I don't understand why I can't leave early. I will use vacation time, and this will help minimize personnel costs for the shift." This statement is an example of which technique of influencing the supervisor? 1. Fogging 2. Negative assertion 3. Negative inquiry 4. Compromise
Answer: 3
The nurse manager has instituted a policy of sending information to the staff in emails. Many misunderstandings have occurred since this policy was implemented. What technique should the manager use to reduce this miscommunication? 1. Use text messaging instead of email. 2. Require a return email from everyone reading the information. 3. Be certain that emails go only to the intended recipients. 4. Send all emails with a message line that says "Important."
Answer: 3
