Midterm 7,8,9, 26

After using a mediator to resolve a conflict between the nurse manager and two staff nurses, the chief nursing officer decides to: a. observe to make sure the conflict has been resolved. b.fire both staff nurses. c.reassign both staff nurses. d. reassign the nurse manager.

ANS: A The nurse leader should follow up to determine if the conflict has been resolved because, in professional practice environments, unresolved conflict among nurses is a significant issue that results in job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and turnover, as well as in decreased patient satisfaction and poorer quality in patient care.

During orientation of new nurse managers, the chief nursing officer stresses strategies that help nurse managers to achieve a powerful image. What behaviors best contribute to a powerful image for the nurse manager? a. Greeting patients, families, and colleagues with a handshake and a smile; listening carefully when problems arise b. For men, no facial hair, always wearing a suit and tie; for women, always wearing a suit and high-heeled shoes c. Maintaining a soft voice during times of conflict; making unbroken eye contact during interactions d. Smiling all the time; always wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase, and, if a woman, wearing no jewelry

ANS: A A powerful and positive approach is communicated through confident behaviors such as greeting others, smiling, and showing respect for the opinions of others through listening. Grooming and dress need to be clean, neat, and appropriate to the situation. Speech needs to be firm and confident.

"Stress-buffering" behaviors can be elicited to reduce stress. All of the following behavioral coping responses can be used by nurse managers to reduce and manage stress except: a. distancing oneself from work. b. using cognitive reframing to change irrational thoughts. c. refusing a request to sit on a committee to evaluate scheduling software. d. exercising regularly.

ANS: A Achieving balance between work and leisure is a useful strategy for stress reduction. Distancing, however, can be a sign of depersonalization that includes negative attitudes as well and is a characteristic of burnout.

The nurse manager is aware that conflict is occurring on her unit; however, she is focused on preparing for a state health department visit, so she ignores the problem. What factor can increase stress and escalate conflict? a. The use of avoidance b.An enhanced nursing work force c.Accepting that some conflict is normal d.Managing the effects of fatigue and error

ANS: A Avoidance as a conflict-management style prolongs conflict and tends to escalate conflict.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. Sarah's actions are important in avoiding role: a. ambiguity. b. transition. c. development. d. negotiation.

ANS: A Clarification of implicit and explicit expectations regarding the role assists in avoiding role ambiguity and role strain.

Staff at Valley Hospital are concerned that recent staffing cuts will affect their ability to provide quality patient care, and they express their concerns to senior management. The CEO of Valley Hospital makes the following statement: "We need to contain costs because our funding has been decreased." This is a good example of which of the following conditions that propel a situation toward conflict? a. Incompatible goals b. Role conflicts c. Structural conflict d. Competition for resources

ANS: A Conflicts arise in four areas: goals, facts, approaches, and values. Conflicts among goals arise from competing priorities such as the provision of quality patient care and containment of costs.

The work group on Nursing Unit 23 is marked by apathy toward the ward's patients, high absenteeism, open conflict among team members, and high turnover of personnel, including managers. The underlying behavior in this situation may be characterized as: a. powerlessness. b. anger. c. apathy. d. oppression.

ANS: A Emotions such as anger and apathy result from a workplace in which powerlessness is exhibited.

A nurse manager must implement a 2% budget cut on the nursing unit. What approach would the manager use to most effectively empower the staff of the unit? a. Discuss the guidelines for the budget cuts with the staff, making the decisions with those who participate. b. Inform the staff of the budget cuts in a series of small group meetings and accept their ideas in writing only. c. Provide the staff with handouts about the budget cuts and let them make recommendations in writing. d.Hold a series of mandatory meetings on the budget cuts, asking staff for ideas on the cuts.

ANS: A Empowerment is the process of exercising one's own power to facilitate the participation of others in decision making and taking action so they are free to exercise power. It means releasing authority and enabling others to have accountability, for participation and decisions.

Sources of occupational stress in nursing include all except which of the following? a. Authoritarian leadership b. Concern about moral wrongdoing by colleagues c. Multiple changes in a short time d. Rotating shifts

ANS: A Ethical distress, complexity compression, rotating shifts, high acuity levels, rotating shifts, and workload are all sources of work-related stress for nurses.

In a job interview for a nursing position, Marley can be assured that which of the following will occur? a. Both eustress and distress b. Only eustress c. Only distress d. Neither eustress nor distress

ANS: A Eustress is defined as stress that is pleasant in nature, and distress is defined as stress of an unpleasant nature. One can assume that every interview has both of these stresses.

A staff nurse asks the nurse manager for a few days off for personal reasons. The nurse manager turns in the request to the human resources office with a note indicating that the staff nurse has demonstrated excellent working skills and is a valued employee. The nurse manager has used the influence of her position to help this staff member. Influence is the process of: a. using power. b. empowering others. c. understanding power. d. moving past apathy.

ANS: A Influence involves the use of power to effect certain outcomes—in this situation, to arrange days off for a valued employee.

A unit manager watches a new RN graduate interacting with a patient. When the RN comes out of the room, the unit manager says, "I don't know what they taught you in your nursing program, but if I see you do that again, I will write you up." This example demonstrates: a. coercive use of power. b. appropriate application of control. c. use of informatory power. d. use of power to provide coaching.

ANS: A Influence is the process of using power. Influence can involve the punitive power of coercion, as is used in this example.

Sarah, a staff nurse on your unit, witnesses another nurse striking a patient. Sarah wants to remain friends with her colleague and worries that confrontation with her colleague or reporting her colleague will destroy their relationship. Sarah is experiencing which type of conflict? a. Intrapersonal b. Interpersonal c. Organizational d. Professional

ANS: A Intrapersonal conflict occurs within a person when confronted with the need to think or act in a way that seems at odds with that person's sense of self. Questions often arise that create a conflict over priorities, ethical standards, and values. Some issues present a conflict over comfortably maintaining the status quo and taking risks to confront people when needed, which can lead to interpersonal conflict.

The chief nursing officer develops a mentoring program to help new staff members adjust to their new jobs. The main purpose of mentoring is: a. promoting staff retention. b. promoting staff attrition. c. developing new role expectations. d. promoting staff supervision.

ANS: A Mentoring has been identified as important to staff retention.

A nurse manager notices that Nathan, an RN who has been on the unit for approximately 3 years, has an interest in health technology and seems to be very enthused about working with software and hardware at home. She speaks with Nathan and asks him if he would lead investigation of software applications on the unit. This is an example of: a. opportunity. b. delegation. c. role negotiation. d. role transition.

ANS: A Nathan's nurse manager recognizes Nathan's interest in technology as an opportunity for the unit and as an untapped resource that can be used to meet unit goals.

As a nurse manager, the one activity you should not overlook is: a. posting the yearly rotation schedule. b. reviewing vacation requests. c. scheduling staffing for holidays 6 months in advance. d. anticipating staff sick days.

ANS: B Free time and vacation time are needed for individuals to recharge. If time for work is more than 60% of wake time, or when self-time is less than 10% of wake time, stress levels increase.

What has the literature on oppression in nursing demonstrated? a. Verified the presence of behaviors associated with oppression within nursing. b. Suggested that oppression leads to bullying but has little or no effect on patient outcomes. c. Failed to establish that oppression is present in nursing groups. d. Indicated that nurses use oppression negatively.

ANS: A Oppressed group behavior is apparent when a population is dominated by another group and begins to take on the characteristics of the dominant group (Roberts, 1983), often bullying and abusing their peers. In the twenty-first century, bullying and incivility have become epidemic in both nursing education and clinical settings.

The nurse manager of a unit has lost many staff members, and the unit is now staffed with a large number of agency and traveling nurses. She knows that the agency and traveling nurses are all contracted to stay on the unit for the next 3 months. One way to improve morale and decrease stress in the unit would be to: a. plan a social event and include the agency and traveling nurse staff members. b. plan unit-based social events for your remaining permanent staff members. c. request hospital-based "floating" nurses to substitute for the temporary staff. d. implement team nursing.

ANS: A Social support, in the form of positive work relationships, can be an important way to buffer the effects of a stressful work environment. Including all staff in the social event enables those who are not normally part of the team to experience this support and provides an opportunity for the staff as a whole to develop supportive relationships.

The staff development educator presents a series of programs on stress management to the nurse managers. Research has indicated that an individual's ability to deal with stress is moderated by psychological hardiness. Psychological hardiness is a composite of: a. commitment, control, and challenge. b. commitment, powerlessness, and passivity. c. commitment, control, and passivity. d. decreased isolation, challenge, and passivity.

ANS: A Some people have the capacity to accept changes in life with good humor and resilience, which, in turn, influences behavior that prevents illness. Hardiness involves the capacity to manage time and stress, to reframe situations positively, and to commit.

Mr. T. Jones and Mr. R. Smith are both going to become residents in Sunny Haven Lodge. Mr. Jones views it as an opportunity to socialize and meet new friends. Mr. Smith views this as abandonment by his family and is worried that the care will be inadequate. Each senior perceives the situation differently. This is a good example of stress that is: a. both a positive stressor and a negative stressor. b. occurring only because of age. c. positive in both cases. d. harmful in both cases.

ANS: A Some researchers have determined that stress is a person-environment process in which the person appraises the situation as taxing or not. Appraisal is an important concept that explains why two people react in different ways to the same situation. Stress can be viewed as positive (eustress) or negative (distress).

A nurse manager in one hospital values a colleague who is a few years older and has more experience in nursing management. The colleague works in another hospital, but they meet for lunch once a month. In these meetings, they share their feelings about nursing management and their lives. The function of a mentor that is missing in the relationship is: a. sponsorship. b. role modeling. c. social interaction. d. mutual positive regard.

ANS: A Sponsorship involves building the competency of the mentee through exposure or by creating opportunities for achievement in order for the mentee to develop a reputation of competence.

A hospice nurse has been feeling very stressed at work because of both the physical strain and the emotional drain of working with clients with AIDS. She tries to walk 1 to 2 miles three times a week and to talk regularly with her husband about her work-related feelings. One reasonable stress-management strategy would be to: a. start taking yoga lessons. b. make an appointment to meet with a psychiatrist. c. start jogging 5 to 6 miles every day. d. plan to go out for a drink with fellow nurses after work every day.

ANS: A Stress relief techniques include 30 minutes of exercise five times a week, as well as techniques such as yoga that relieve mental stress.

A nurse educator is giving a workshop on conflict. During the sessions, he makes various statements regarding conflict. All of the statements are true except: a. conflict can decrease creativity, thus acting as a deterrent for the development of new ideas. b. horizontal violence involves those with similar status but little power in the larger context. c. interprofessional collaboration reduces unresolved conflicts. d. all conflicts involve some level of disagreement.

ANS: A The opposite is true because research has shown that conflict, like change, increases creativity and allows for the development of new ideas.

In assisting new graduates to make the role transition to graduate nurse, Ted, the unit manager initiates which of the following? a. Self-check list to assess competencies that have been strengthened b. Discussions that focus on what the new graduates have yet to learn c. Fixed target dates for acquisition of competency and transition to RN role d. Frequent formal meetings to provide feedback on performance and areas to be strengthened

ANS: A Transition to the new role is facilitated through reflection and ongoing development of awareness of strengths (as compared with a focus on weaknesses) and of weaknesses. The value of the employee may not depend on quickness in making the role transition.

1. High levels of work-related stress affect all but which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. Job satisfaction b. Absenteeism and turnover c. Nurses' health d. Client welfare

ANS: A, B, C, D Many writers and researchers have found that these work-related areas are adversely affected by stress.

Nurses entering the work force today are faced with which of the following relationships that could create organizational conflict? (Select all that apply.) a. Nurse-physician relationship b. Nurse-nurse relationship c. Nurse-patient relationship d. Nurse-chief nursing officer relationship e. Nurse-auxiliary personnel relationships

ANS: A, B, C, D, E By nature, conflict is potentially present in all interpersonal situations. The nurse manager should create an environment that recognizes and values differences in staff, physicians, patients, and communities.

Amy has worked in the dialysis unit on staff for about 12 years. She is frequently consulted by other nursing staff regarding protocols and policies on the unit. What type of power is Amy using? a. Position power b. Expert power c. Personal power d. Competency power

ANS: B According to the types of power outlined in the text, Amy is most likely evidencing expert power in that she is being consulted regarding areas of knowledge and competency on the unit and is at the same level, potentially, in the hierarchy as her colleagues.

Nurses who engage in infighting, seek physician support against nursing colleagues, and avoid political advocacy through membership in nursing organizations: a. refuse to believe that they are acting like members of groups that suffer socioeconomic oppression. b. do not understand how their failure to exercise power can limit the power of the whole profession. c. purposefully choose to exercise their power in the workplace through indirect means. d. suffer from learned helplessness as a result of abuse by powerful nurse executives.

ANS: B Becoming an active, productive, collegial member of groups and teams within the workplace and in professional associations and community groups ensures that the nursing voice is heard on healthcare issues and problems and is an appropriate exercise of power.

Two staff nurses are arguing about whose turn it is to work on the upcoming holiday. In trying to resolve this conflict, the nurse manager understands that interpersonal conflict arises when: a. risk taking seems to be unavoidable. b. people see events differently. c. personal and professional priorities do not match. d. the ways in which people should act do not match the ways in which they do act.

ANS: B By definition, conflict involves a difference in perception between two or more individuals.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. Sarah finds that she has begun to think negatively about the way nursing care is delivered on her nursing unit. She often wishes that she was back on her old unit and in her familiar staff nurse role. This behavior: a. is natural when assuming a new position. b. diverts energy from internalization of Sarah's new role. c. is justified if practices are deficient on the new unit. d. reflects Sarah's astuteness as a clinician.

ANS: B By focusing on the weaknesses of the unit, Sarah may lack the energy to internalize the new role—a step that is critical to being an effective leader. As a new manager, Sarah must learn how to access resources in the organization. Approaching the organization as a foreign culture, Sarah can keenly observe the rituals, accepted practices, and patterns of communication within the organization. This ongoing assessment promotes a speedier transition into the role of manager.

The education consultant at St. Joseph Hospital is giving a workshop on cognitive reframing. The consultant explains that cognitive reframing reduces stress by: a. aiding individuals in identifying positive stressors. b. helping people realize that negative thinking causes emotional distress. c. eliminating negative stressors. d. replacing positive self-statements with negative irrational beliefs

ANS: B Cognitive reframing is a therapy that aids individuals in discovering that their irrational thoughts can be replaced with responses that are more rational. It enables individuals to gain a sense of control over the situation and can change "I'll never ..." to "I can ..." or "She always ..." to "Sometimes she ..." It is an approach that allows individuals to replace negative thoughts and statements with others that are more realistic and helpful.

John is a circulating nurse in the operating room. He is usually assigned to general surgery, but on this day he is assigned to the orthopedic room. He is unfamiliar with the routines and studies the doctor's preference cards before each patient. The fourth patient comes into the room and John prepares a site for a biopsy using a Betadine solution. The surgeon prefers another solution. He notices what John has done and immediately corrects him by rudely insulting John. What is the appropriate approach to conflict resolution in this example? a. Collaboration b. Compromising c. Avoiding d. Withdraw

ANS: B Compromise involves negotiation or an exchange of concessions and supports a balance of power.

Your colleague Mary, a recent graduate, announces that she intends to leave nursing in 3 to 4 months to pursue a position in marketing. While at your agency, she plans to give patients excellent care and to learn as much as she can, because "Who knows? Nursing is a great job with a great pay and I may return someday." Mary's statements most accurately exemplify which orientation to the concept of nursing? Nursing as a(n): a. profession. b. occupation. c. flexible discipline. d. career with off and on ramps

ANS: B Concern with nursing as potentially one in a series of possibly well-paid jobs reflects a view of nursing as an occupation.

A group of staff nurses is dissatisfied with the new ideas presented by the newly hired nurse manager. The staff wants to keep their old procedures, and they resist the changes. Conflict arises from: a. group decision-making options. b. perceptions of incompatibility. c. increases in group cohesiveness. d. debates, negotiations, and compromises.

ANS: B Conflict involves disagreement in values or beliefs within oneself or between people that causes harm or has the potential to cause harm. Conflict may result from the interaction of interdependent people who perceive incompatibility and the potential for interference.

As a new manager, you reflect on what professional development would be most valuable to assist you in taking on this role. Which of the following would you most likely identify? a. Opportunities to hone clinical skills that are used most often on the unit that you will manage b. A workshop on conflict management and communication skills c. Attendance at a conference on global healthcare economics d. Attendance at a workshop on survey tool development and statistical measurement

ANS: B In a qualitative descriptive study that explored the professional development needs of nursing leaders, a number of recommendations that were based on what charge nurses indicated about their needs. The recommendations included education and orientation to the role, managing performance and development of staff, and communication skills. Additional education should be focused on unit finances and patient relations. Leadership support was found to be pivotal for charge nurses to feel successful or hinder their work.

The chief nursing officer listens to nurse managers verbalize their feelings of internal stress. One common source of internal stress seems to be: a. the death of a loved one. b. perfectionism. c. getting married. d. losing a job.

ANS: B Losing a job, the death of a loved one, and getting married are examples of external stress.

Two nurses approach their manager about a conflict regarding the next month's schedule. The nurses are talking loudly and at the same time. The manager most effectively uses communication skills to resolve the conflict by: a. taking both nurses aside, separately and then together, and charging them with resolving the problem without her direct intervention. b. listening to each nurse speak to the other without interruption and asking clarifying questions to help them resolve the issue themselves. c. separating the nurses, instructing each to decide how the problem can be resolved, and meeting with them the next day. d. calling an emergency scheduling committee meeting and asking volunteers to resolve the conflict between the two nurses.

ANS: B Negotiation involves the presentation of an opening position with each party, then moving on until they achieve a mutually agreeable result or until one or both move away from a failed negotiation. Negotiation occurs when one party has something that the other party values, such as a desired schedule

A nurse manager is experiencing poor staff morale on her unit. While participating in a baccalaureate course, the nurse manager had learned that one of the reasons nurses lack power today is related to the past. In the early decades of the profession, nurses lacked power because: a. nurses freely chose to defer to physicians and administrators with more education. b. women lacked legal, social, and political power because of legal and cultural barriers. c. the first nursing licensure laws prohibited nurses from making most decisions. d. nurses astutely recognized the risks of grabbing too much power too soon.

ANS: B Nursing mirrored the lack of legal, social, and political power that was prevalent in the early decades of the profession.

The chief nursing officer understands that a nurse manager can exhibit stress that is related to trying to keep up with the number of electronic messages that arrive, as well as trying to remain accessible to staff. What is a strategy that would assist the manager to manage the information overload effectively? a. Ignore messages unless they are labeled as important. b. Determine who is most likely to send useful or important information or requests. c. Check e-mail messages once a day. d. Encourage face-to-face meetings rather than e-mail.

ANS: B Reduction of stress related to information overload requires the development of information-receiving and information-sending skills. Information-sending skills include determining most common sources of useful data, labeling files and folders to which e-mail messages can be directed, deletion of e-mails, and focusing on the most important pieces. Information-sending skills include keeping e-mail messages short (and calling if the message needs to be long) and considering the most appropriate medium for messages (telephone, fax, face-to-face).

An example of role stress occurs when: a. the director of the ICU and the manager of the surgical unit wish to hire the same new employee. b. two part-time staff members are hired to work in a unit, but the job expectations for them are not clear, and the head nurse expresses disappointment in their performance. c. the nurse manager for the ICU wants to advocate for more staff and finds it difficult to find data to substantiate his proposal. d. line managers believe that support staff use their technical knowledge to intrude on their authority.

ANS: B Role stress is an additional stressor for nurses. Viewed as the incongruence between perceived role expectations and achievement, role stress is particularly acute for new graduates. Failure to comply with expectations can lead to role conflict. Role conflict and role ambiguity are major sources of conflict for nurses.

The institution where you are a nurse manager has resisted the adoption of a new document management software, citing cost as a concern meet with other nurse managers who are in favor of the software and prepare a proposal to take to the senior executive with the goal of persuading the executive to adopt the software. This is an example of: a. collaboration. b. a coalition. c. networking. d. policy building.

ANS: B The formation of temporary groups to achieve particular goals involves the development of coalitions.

Jeff, an RN in his 30s, has lost a parent, just purchased a new home, and is laid off with 6 months' severance pay. At the same time, Jerry, an RN in his 50s, is financially secure and is asked to take early retirement with a buyout. How will the two men react to the emotional and physical influences and the sequence of stress? a. The younger man will feel more stress. b. The two men may or may not feel the same amount of stress. c. The older man will feel more stress. d. Neither man will experience any stress.

ANS: B The response to similar stressors does not always result in a similar experience of stress in individuals. Responses are mediated by the appraisal of the event as well as by factors such as gender, personality, lifestyle, and age.

The chief nursing officer plans aseries of staff development workshops for the nurse managers to help them deal with conflicts. The first workshop introduces the four stages of conflict, which are: a. frustration, competition, negotiation, and action. b. frustration, conceptualization, action, and outcomes. c. frustration, cooperation, collaboration, and action outcomes. d.frustration, conceptualization, negotiation, and action outcomes.

ANS: B Thomas (1992) determined that conflict proceeds through these four stages in this particular order.

Two nurses on a psychiatric unit come from different backgrounds and have graduated from different universities. They are given a set of new orders from the unit manager. Each nurse displays different emotions in response to the orders. Nurse A indicates that the new orders include too many changes; Nurse B disagrees and verbally indicates why. This step in the process is which of the following in Thomas' stages of conflict? a. Frustration b. Conceptualization c. Actiond. d. Outcomes

ANS: B Thomas' Stages of Conflict include conceptualization, which involves different ideas and emphasis on what is important or not or about what should occur.

As a result of Amy's coaching, Sarah, a nursing graduate of 5 years, completes a ROLES assessment. This assessment is helpfIul in: (Select all that apply.) identifying her clinical a. knowledge. b. role development. c. areas of conflict in expectations. d. expected work time commitments.

ANS: B, C, D A ROLES assessment is useful in identifying, confirming, and visualizing responsibilities, opportunities, lines of communication, expectations of self and others for the position, and support. This is particularly useful in identifying areas of conflict in expectations, including conflict between the manager's own expectations and those of staff and supervisors and in negotiating role expectations.

As a new manager in the ED, you meet with each of the staff to ask about their priorities and what they think is going well in the department or what is of concern to them. Almost all of the staff express frustration and distress at being treated rudely or disrespectfully by patients, staff from other departments, and physicians and complain that they feel that nurses in the ED are not valued. With the staff, you brainstorm to raise the profile of nurses. Which of the following strategies would be most effective? (Select all that apply.) a. Requesting increased compensation b. Speaking positively about one's work c. Dressing and grooming in a clean and neat manner d. Using titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms.) and last names e. Submitting a written complaint to senior administration regarding rude behaviors f. Developing a code of conduct for the ED staff.

ANS: B, C, D, F Demonstrating a positive and professional attitude about being a nurse to nursing colleagues, patients and their families, other colleagues in the workplace, and the public facilitates the exercise of power among colleagues while educating others about nurses and nursing. A powerful image is an important aspect of demonstrating this positive professional attitude and includes how we identify ourselves, how we dress, whether we are punctual for commitments, and whether we speak positively about our work. Bullying and incivility are negative expressions of power that can affect patient outcomes. The Joint Commission standard demands that leaders ensure that a code of conduct is implemented to ensure patient safety and a culture of quality.

Who of the following might be the most appropriate mentor for Becky, a new nurse manager on the cardiac unit who has 4 years of previous clinical experience? a. Sam, near retirement. He has 20 years of clinical nursing and recently assumed role of head nurse in an interim capacity because of the incumbent's illness. b. Leslie, who has been a clinical educator at the institution for a number of years. She has tired of her role and aspires to become a nurse manager. She looks at mentorship as an opportunity to understand the role better. c. Courtney, who has been a nurse manager for 3 years. Her staff and supervisor value her skills and her leadership acumen and championship of innovation. d. Ben, who was nurse manager for 3 years, soon after graduation. He left the role because he was uncomfortable with the expectations and has been a team leader on surgery for 15 years.

ANS: C A mentor needs to have sufficient professional experience and organizational authority so that he or she can mentor the career of the mentee. Mentors need competencies that include interpersonal and communication effectiveness, risk taking and creativity, and ability to inspire change.

John, a new nurse manager, complains to his colleague that he feels very uncomfortable with the conflict between what he thinks he should be doing as the manager and what his supervisor thinks he should be doing. According to Hardy's role theory, John is experiencing: a. stress. b. role stress. c. role strain. d. role exploration.

ANS: C According to Hardy's role theory, role strain is the subjective feeling of distress that occurs when role stress or a social condition of conflicting demands or difficult conditions is present.

A manager relies on his director (immediate supervisor) for advice about enrolling in graduate school to prepare for a career as a nurse executive. The director may exercise what kinds of power in the relationship with the manager in this advisory situation? a. Expert, coercive, and referent b. Reward, connection, and information c. Referent, expert, and information d. Reward, referent, and information

ANS: C Because the director is in a leadership role, he comes with knowledge or expertise that is required to assume a leadership role, and he has information that he is willing to share, which gives him the power of information. The employee sees him as credible and seeks his advice, which gives him referent power.

Mrs. Hill, aged 68, was hospitalized after a stroke. The speech therapist recommended that oral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia. During visiting hours, Mr. Hill fed his wife some noodles. The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr. Hill from feeding his wife, telling him it was the doctor's decision. An hour later, the nurse returned and found Mr. Hill feeding his wife again. The nurse tried to stop him again. Mr. Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse. The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs. Hill's chart. According to Thomas' four stages of conflict, in which stage could the nurse have been more effective? a. Frustration b. Conceptualizing c. Actiond d. Outcomes

ANS: C By walking away, the nurse is engaged in an action or a behavioral response, which is the action stage of conflict that is outlined in the four stages of conflict (Thomas, 1992). In this stage, the nurse might have used more effective strategies, such as clarifying Mr. Hill's views on feeding his wife and engaging in dialogue with Mr. Hill to clarify his concerns and attempt to reach a common goal.

Jane has transferred from the ICU to the CCU. She is very set in the way she makes assignments and encourages her new peers to adopt this method without sharing the rational for why it is better. This is a good Example of a process and procedure that creates which type of conflict? a. Organizational b. Intrapersonal c. Interpersonal d. Disruptive

ANS: C Interpersonal conflict transpires between and among nurses, physicians, members of other departments, and patients.

In addition to providing coaching, a nurse mentor may provide counseling to the mentee. For counseling to be successful, the mentor must: a. provide a quiet environment away from the unit. b. keep the focus on technical and management responsibilities. c. assure confidentiality. d. present assignments that stretch the intellectual and technical ability of the mentee.

ANS: C Counseling provides opportunity for the mentee to share personal concerns. For counseling to be successful, confidentiality must be assured.

A nursing instructor is teaching a class on conflict and conflict resolution. She relates to the class that conflict in an organization is important, and that an optimal level of conflict will generate: a. creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers. b. creativity, a staid atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers. c. creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers. d. a bureaucratic atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers.

ANS: C Differences in ideas, perceptions, and approaches, when managed well, can lead to creative solutions and deepened human relationships. Work on conflict suggests that complete resolution of conflict is counterproductive to the achievement of organizational goals, organizational change, and cohesiveness of employees.

Lee, the head nurse in ER, has attempted to meet Jillian, one of her staff RNs, for several days to discuss concerns about Jillian's relationships with her team members. Lee hopes to offer Jillian coaching so that Jillian's relationships can be more satisfying for Jillian and her team members. Each time Lee and Jillian set a time to meet, Jillian phones in sick. In this situation, Lee and Jillian are demonstrating: a. similar conflict management strategies. b. escalation of conflict. c. avoidance and compromise strategies. d. competing and compromise strategies.

ANS: C Jillian is demonstrating avoidance by staying away from meetings to discuss her team relationships, and Lee is demonstrating compromise by offering coaching in return for Jillian's being able to engage in more satisfying relationships.

One day, at coffee, your co-worker suggests that you and she sit with unit members of the hospital research committee. She suggests that this would be an excellent way to get to know people who share her interest in research. Her actions are an example of: a. mentorship. b. politics. c. networking. d. empowerment.

ANS: C Meeting individuals outside the normal work group to share ideas and gain support and encouragement is an example of networking.

Kala, a unit manager, in discussing a role the CEO would like her to perform, makes the following statement, "I will sit on the hospital task force on improving morale if you send me to the hospital's leadership training classes next week, so I can further develop my skills and thus be more effective." Which of the following conflict management styles is Kala using? a. Collaborating b. Avoiding c. Negotiating d. Accommodating

ANS: C Negotiation involves an exchange of concessions (membership on a committee in return for attendance at a workshop) or trading. This strategy supports a balance of power.

A nurse manager recognizes the need to expand her professional network as she begins a job search for a middle-management position. What action is least likely to expand her job-searching network? a. Reviewing her address book or card file for names and phone numbers of former colleagues who are now in middle-management positions b. Making an appointment to meet with a former instructor from her graduate program in nursing administration c. Making a long overdue return call to a former colleague who is now a chief nurse executive d. Attending a state-level conferences for nurse managers and executives and volunteering to help with professional organizations' informal luncheons and receptions

ANS: C Networking is the result of identifying, valuing, and maintaining relationships with a system of individuals who are sources of information, advice, and support. Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed. Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. After a year, Sarah successfully transitions into the nurse manager role and considers taking the examination to become a certified nurse executive. Amy advises her that this is not possible because Sarah will need: a. a graduate degree. b. at least a nursing diploma. c. 24 months of experience. d. 5 years of successful experience.

ANS: C Nurses with baccalaureate preparation and holding a nurse executive position with at least 24 months of experience can take the examination to become a certified nurse executive.

As a unit manager, you chair the unit meetings. For each meeting, you consider and establish the purpose of the meeting. Second, you prepare an agenda. Arrange the following steps in an order that would make the meetings productive and successful. 1. Distribute an agenda. 2. Distribute minutes. 3. Select team members. 4. Start on time. 5. Keep the meeting focused and directed toward accomplishing the set objectives. Select the correct order from the following options: a. 1, 2, 4, 5, 3 b. 4, 1, 2, 5, 3 c. 3, 1, 4, 5, 2 d. 3, 4, 2, 1, 5

ANS: C Planning, organizing, and keeping the group on task are critical in ensuring that meetings are productive and that time is managed well.

Politics is identified in what areas? a. Confined to legislatures b. Seen in dysfunctional workplaces c. Found in all social organizations d. A representation of self-interest

ANS: C Politics involves social interaction among organizations and as such, politics permeates in all organizations, workplaces, legislatures, professions, and even families.

The unit leader on an inpatient psychiatric unit of a large hospital has been in the position for 3 months. The unit leader is frustrated by how little time is available to work with clients and how few changes have been implemented in that time. The phase of role transition being experienced is the role of: a. acceptance. b. negotiation. c. discrepancy. d. internalization.

ANS: C Role discrepancy is an experience that includes a gap between what is expected and what is occurring and can lead to disillusionment, discomfort, and frustration. If the unit manager values the relationship and sees the differences between performance and expectations as correctable, then the manager is likely to stay in the role.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. After beginning her new position, Sarah finds that she spends a great deal of time in direct patient care. Her staff begins to complain that they are never able to find her when they need her, and that some aspects of her responsibilities fall behind, such as scheduling. Sarah is most likely: a. lacking an understanding of the nurse management role. b. attempting to prove her clinical skills to the nursing staff. c. experiencing difficulty in unlearning old roles. d. lacking enjoyment in her new role.

ANS: C Role transition involves transforming one's identity. Although any of the answers listed might be correct, as a new manager, her confidence in her clinical skills suggests that she is having difficulty in the transformation process and in unlearning her role as a clinician.

As a nurse manager, you observe a staff nurse who over the past few weeks has become withdrawn and has had several absences due to minor ailments. Your best action would be to: a. ask the nurse if she is okay during report. b. refer the nurse to the employee assistance program. c. ask the nurse to meet with you for a few minutes before she leaves for the day. d. write a note to the nurse advising her that her work attendance must improve.

ANS: C Stress can lead to emotional symptoms such as depression and a variety of ailments. Meeting with the nurse privately may assist in identifying stress and possible solutions.

Which of the following statements would best define stress? Stress is: a. the comfortable gap between how we like our life to be and how it actually is. b. everyday life, both the highs and the lows. c. a consequence or response to an event or stimulus that can be positive or negative. d. identical to distress.

ANS: C Stress is defined as a gap between how we would like our lives to be and how they actually are and as a consequence or response to an event or stimulus. It is not inherently bad (distress), and whether highs and lows are seen as distress or eustress is dependent on each individual's interpretation of the event.

Despite repeated invitations by his colleagues to become involved in regional and state nursing practice committees, Tom refuses. His reason is that "nursing committees rarely get anything worthwhile done because of politics and conflicts." According to the text, Tom's view of involvement: a. is rare in nursing today. b. reflects a fear of power. c. reflects the essential process of power. d. reflects empowerment and capacity to make his own decisions.

ANS: C Tom's response reflects a distancing from other nurses related to discomfort with conflict associated with human interactions. The text defines human interactions within organizations as politics, a component of which is the essential process of power.

A nurse is interviewing for a manager's position. Which of the following actions is considered a role preview? a. Formal commitment of the employment contract b. Improving role performance c. Touring the unit d. Disillusionment about the expectations of the job

ANS: C Touring the unit enables the candidate to assess further whether this organization will assist in growth and also to make a positive impression on the potential employer.

The new nurse manager feels pulled between the expectations of staff, the demands of hospital administrators, and family obligations. According to the theory by Hardy (1978), unrelieved role stress and strain will lead to: frustration and anger. alienation of family and friends. low productivity and performance. physical symptoms and acute illness.

ANS: C Unrelieved role stress and strain leads to focusing energy into negative thoughts and feelings, which can leave the manager fatigued and therefore less likely to be productive or to perform well.

The nurse manager of a unit was demoted to staff nurse 6 months ago. Because of being near retirement, the former nurse manager wanted to be employed at the hospital and was offered a position on the same unit. The former nurse manager complains often about how infrequently the current nurse manager is available on the unit and argues with physicians and co-workers. Clients have complained about the attitude of the nurse. The behavior of the former nurse manager can be best explained as being caused by: a. overwork in the staff nurse position. b. inadequate mentoring in the new role. c. anger as a stage of the grieving process. d. demotion as a threat to personal identity.

ANS: C When an employment relationship ends or changes unexpectedly, grieving occurs. One of the phases in grieving is anger.

After several months of heavy patient loads in the Emergency Department and inability to secure sufficient and experienced staff, the department is especially taxed by a train accident that brings in many seriously injured individuals. You observe that Rama ignores the requests of several of the injured, even when time is available to care for them and is rude to two older adult patients. You are concerned that Rama is evidencing which state? a. Hardiness b. Depression c. Role ambiguity d. Depersonalization

ANS: D A characteristic of burnout is depersonalization, a state characterized by distancing oneself from the work itself and developing negative attitudes toward work in general (Greenglass et al., 2001). Depersonalization is commonly described as a feeling of being outside one's body, feeling as if one is a machine or robot, an "unreal" feeling that one is in a dream or that one "is on automatic pilot." Generally, subjective symptoms of unreality make the nurse uneasy and anxious. Nurses pushed to do too much in too little time may distance themselves from patients as a means of dealing with emotional exhaustion.

After several months in the role of manager of a dialysis unit, Maryanne finds herself still questioning the gap in expectations between her and her staff and management and is also questioning if she can reconcile her concerns about quality care with the strong cost-containment orientation of the facility. At this point, Maryanne is in which stage of role transition? a. Internalization b. Acceptance c. Development d. Discrepancy

ANS: D At this point, Maryanne is still experiencing discomfort and disillusionment with the gap between what she expected and what others expect of her in the performance of her role as manager. She is considering the significance and fit of the relationship for her, which is consistent with role discrepancy.

What exemplifies the predominant style of conflict management for staff nurses? a. Sarah and Jonas, two RNs, disagree about the best approach to assisting a family that has complex needs. They decide that they will consult with family and together will decide what is best. b. Jennifer needs to switch a shift to attend a family function. She arranges to trade with Nancy, who wants a day off next to a 3-day break. c. Lindsay asks Melody to stay late for the third day in a row. Melody refuses, stating that she has already helped out for 2 days by staying late for Lindsay. d. Lara asks Stacey to switch shifts with her because Lara wants to attend a concert. Stacey would prefer not to but does to enable Lara, who is new in town, to be with her friends.

ANS: D Avoidance and accommodation are the predominant conflict management styles of nurses. Accommodating involves neglecting one's own needs while trying to satisfy the needs of another.

The head nurse and a staff nurse are having a conflict over how to use and apply a new procedure for dressings in the medical/surgical area. The staff nurse wishes to use the new procedure based on newly released nursing research. The head nurse wishes to use a protocol that has been used in the department for a number of years. The head nurse later makes comments to other staff on her unit about the credibility of the staff nurse. This behavior is associated with: a. lateral violence. b. horizontal violence. c. confrontation. d. bullying.

ANS: D Bullying involves aggressive or destructive behavior or psychological harassment of a recipient who is in a position of power differential with the perpetrator (the head nurse). Bullying is closely related to lateral or horizontal violence and involves such behaviors as incivility or intimidation.

The nurse manager is implementing a shared governance model to help with communication and decision making. Although staff members like the concept, change is difficult. Staff nurses feel: a. more empowered b. more communicative. c. less stressed. d. more powerless and devalued

ANS: D Change can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless, especially if complexity compression or rapid, intense changes have been involved.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. Sarah finds a mentor, Amy, who has been in the role of unit manager for 3 years and has a similar interest in clinical excellence. During their frequent meetings, Amy provides assistance with learning aspects of the manager's role, including technical aspects, such as how to interpret budget printouts and to achieve budget outcomes. The success of Amy's coaching depends on: a. clarity of Amy's information. b. organizational support for the mentor relationship. c. the congruence of Amy's beliefs with Sarah's beliefs. d. willingness of Sarah to receive feedback.

ANS: D Coaching provides information about how to improve performance and learning aspects of the role. Coaching requires willingness on the part of the mentee to accept feedback.

Jill is the head nurse on a unit in a large hospital. Two of the staff nurses are constantly arguing and blaming each other, and a resolution has not occurred in months. To solve the existing conflict, which is the most creative conflict resolution? a. Avoiding b. Competing c. Compromising d. Collaborating

ANS: D Collaboration, although time consuming, is the most creative stance. The collaboration technique involves both sides in the conflict working together to develop an optimal outcome. This results in a win-win solution.

During a unit meeting, you notice that Vivian listens attentively when Mary is speaking and offers support and advice when Mary presents ideas to the group. You are surprised because Vivian has often confided that she does not like Mary. Vivian's behavior is best described as: a. insincere. b. networking. c. politically sophisticated. d. collegial

ANS: D Collegial behavior requires respect, not friendship.

Which of the following exemplifies the predominant conflict management style of nurse managers? a. Elizabeth, the head nurse on neurology, finds that Tom, the RN nurse on nights, is irritable in relation to any suggestions or new ideas, and so she comes in to work after Tom leaves the unit. R I G B.C M N b. The technology committeeUhasSrecNommTendedOa clinical system for implementation on the nursing unit. Staff is anxious about the change. Tim, the head nurse, asks staff for ideas on how to meet the technology goals and to meet staff needs. c. During management meetings, George, the head nurse on nephrology, dominates meetings and decisions. Lee, the head nurse on the cardiac step-down unit, begins to miss the management meetings. d. Ann, RN, asks her head nurse if she can go on the permanent evening shift. The head nurse, Rajib, agrees, as long as Ann agrees to be involved in assisting to mentor evening staff in the use of the new clinical information system.

ANS: D Compromise involves trading and negotiation and is the predominant conflict management style of managers.

Factors that influence the ease with which conflict is resolved include all except which of the following? a. Level of interdependence of the parties b. Interprofessional collaboration c. Expression of one's own needs and ideas d. Avoidance of the issue or concern

ANS: D Conflict involves a level of interdependence and is a condition for conflict but not necessarily for continuance of the conflict. Expression of one's ideas and concerns is considered assertive and effective in resolving conflict if the concerns and needs of the other are also considered. Interprofessional collaboration has been shown to be effective in resolving conflict. Avoidance tends to prolong and sometimes escalate conflict.

Sondra, a new graduate, recently began a position as a registered nurse in a rural hospital, where she is the youngest and newest staff member. Although she has limited experience, she has a strong knowledge base, is confident, and was considered to have strong entry-level skills on graduation. Sondra meets with her former instructor and confides that she is very frustrated that others do not seem to accept her leadership. What might you suggest that would help Sondra to understand what is happening in terms of power and influence? a. As a new graduate, it is unlikely that she has acquired the experience and knowledge of other staff, including aides and practical nurses. b. Rural settings tend to be closed systems and therefore are, not welcoming of those who are not from their community. c. Morale on her unit can be improved by engaging in shared decision making. d. Identify the informal leaders on her unit and how they affect care decisions.

ANS: D Developing organizational savvy includes identifying the real decision makers and those persons who have a high level of influence with the decision makers. Recognize the informal leaders within any organization may have more power than the formal leader because of more knowledge of the organization, more informational power, or more expertise.

The new head nurse on telemetry has been in the position for 3 months. The head nurse and the administrator disagree on how much time the head nurse should allot to various aspects of the role. Staff members on the unit complain that the head nurse is unavailable for clinical concerns because of being off the unit while attending meetings. To facilitate the process of role transition, the head nurse should: a. develop policies consistent with the head nurse's prior workplace. b. attend a workshop on how to deal with difficult people. c. decide to give the position 3 more months and then leave if things do not improve. d. schedule a series of meetings with staff and the administrator to clarify expectations.

ANS: D During role transition, it is important for the manager to negotiate the role by writing down the manager's expectations of the role and determining the expectations of others (staff, supervisors) in order to clarify expectations and reduce or ameliorate role ambiguity and role strain. It can take up to a year to understand the role, system, and boundaries in a new job-role-position.

During an employment interview for the manager's position in a home health agency, the applicant asks questions about the medical director and about retention of staff. The nurse executive assures the applicant that the agency has few personnel problems and receives excellent support from the medical director. The applicant knows that the agency has a 50% turnover rate and has had three medical directors in the past year. The nurse executive is: a. unaware of the turnover rate and difficulties with the medical director. b. lying about the problems and hoping to resolve them by hiring the applicant. c. denying that the agency has a turnover problem with staff or medical directors. d. minimizing the challenges of the position to make a positive impression on the applicant.

ANS: D During the dating phase or preview period in the role transition process, the potential employer attempts to make a favorable impression, which may result in minimizing the challenges of the position.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. A strategy that may help to make the transition to her management role and to respond to relationships and situations in her new position is: a. avoiding discussion of her personal beliefs with staff until she is ready to do so. b. finding a network of clinicians with interests similar to her own. c. researching clinical literature to maintain her clinical assessment skills for the unit. d. recognizing her strong commitment to care in the management process through journaling.

ANS: D During the transition period, it is important to recognize, use, and strengthen values and beliefs, translate these for staff, and adapt behaviors to the situation. Understanding personal and professional beliefs and values assists in helping the manager respond to situations and relationships.

A staff nurse approaches the unit manager and indicates to her that because of her father's death in the previous month, she is now finding it very difficult to do her work effectively. This would be considered a(n) stress. a. internal source b. familial c. burnout d. external

ANS: D External stress is outside and removed from the work setting, but it is considered work-related stress because of the impact it has on the worker.

The nurse manager decides to use a mediator to help resolve the staff's conflict. A basic strategy for truly addressing this conflict is to: a. identify the conflicting facts. b. be determined to resolve the conflict. c. schedule a meeting time for resolution.d. have a clear d. understanding of the differences between the parties in conflict

ANS: D It is important for each person in the conflict to clarify the conflict as "I see it" and how "it makes me respond" before all the persons involved in the conflict can define the conflict, develop a shared conceptualization, and resolve their differences.

What interaction is MOST consistent with the idea of networking? a. Meet with the same colleagues daily to have coffee and share concerns about the workplace and stories about colleagues. b. Join an online workplace forum to gain ideas about how to handle workplace conflict. c. Suggest that you and a new team member meet after work for coffee to review unit guidelines. d. Join a nurse executive interest group to meet other executives for support and for sharing ideas of expertise.

ANS: D Networking is the result of identifying, valuing, and maintaining relationships with a system of individuals who are sources of information, advice, and support. Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed. Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment. Successful networking involves sharing similar ideas and maintaining relationships within a system of individuals who serve as sources of information, advice, and support.

An interviewee for a nurse manager position asks for a copy of the organizational chart. Organizational charts provide information about the role component of: a. expectations. b. opportunities. c. responsibilities. d. lines of communication.

ANS: D No matter what role an individual is in, multiple relationships exist with individuals including supervisors and peers. Roles incorporate patterns of structured interactions between the manager and people in these groups. Organizational charts provide information about relationships and lines of communication in the organization.

A nurse is participating in a baccalaureate course. For the class, she has to attend the legislative session regarding the new role of medication assistants. Why is it important for nurses to be involved in shaping public policy? a. Involvement will enable nurses to take over the healthcare system at some point in the future. b. Other healthcare professions are less concerned about the essential needs of clients. c. Such activities are important career builders for nurses who seek top-level executive positions. d. They are closest to the front line of health care and see how it affects clients and families.

ANS: D Nurses can no longer be passive observers of the political world. Political involvement is a professional responsibility. Nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership.

In trying to achieve Magnet status, the chief nursing officer establishes a shared governance model to help nurses experience job satisfaction. However, some nurses who have enjoyed working with less autonomy resist this change and begin to criticize and make rude comments about managers who embrace this model, as well as colleagues who support it. The comments are largely ignored because those who are making them are well established nurses who are often vocal about their displeasure with the organization. Organizational conflict is arising from which of the following? a. Staffing practices b. Increased participation in decision making c. Allocation of resources d. Tolerance of incivility

ANS: D Organizational conflict arises from discord related to policies and procedures (such as staffing policies and practices and allocation of resources), personnel codes or conduct or accepted norms of behavior (such as incivility), and patterns of communication. A major source conflict in organizations stems from strategies that promote more participation and autonomy of staff nurses.

Social stressors are considered a major factor in the stress nurses experience in the healthcare system. Which of the following is not considered to be a social stressor? a. High amounts of stress in the nursing home environment b. Changes in the current healthcare system such as nursing strategies c. Disruptive behavior coming from physicians and other healthcare workers d. Stress triggers such as self-criticism and overanalyzing

ANS: D Personal stress triggers such as self-criticism are considered intrapersonal stressors; environmental factors such as change, work environment, and interactions with others are considered social stressors.

A nurse manager has decided that she must institute some personal time-management steps to survive work and home life. Her first step should be to: a. determine what takes up so much of her time and energy. b. organize her personal and work spaces. c. purchase a handheld personal digital assistant to help remind her of important meetings. d. determine her personal and professional goals.

ANS: D Personal time management refers, in part, to "the knowing of self." Self-awareness is a critical leadership skill, and being self-aware and setting goals helps managers determine how their time is best spent

A nurse belongs to several professional organizations, serving on a state-level committee of one group and on two task forces at work. The nurse is committed to a range of health issues and knows the state senator from the nurse's district, as well as the name of the representative in Washington, DC. This nurse exemplifies which level of political activism in nursing? a. Gladiator b. Buy-in c. Self-interest d. Political astuteness

ANS: D Political involvement is a professional responsibility and nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership. This nurse exemplifies several of the skills associated with political astuteness.

Sarah is a nurse manager in a surgical unit. She is concerned about a conflict between Lucy (a staff nurse) and one of the maintenance personnel. Sarah explains to Lucy that unsatisfactory resolution of the conflict is typically destructive and will result in: a. decreased frustration between the maintenance worker and her. b. a good relationship with the maintenance department. c. eventual resolution of the problem without further intervention. d. decreased productivity on her part.

ANS: D Productivity decreases with destructive conflict, whereas constructive conflict strengthens relationships.

Mrs. Hill, aged 68, was hospNitaUliRzeSdIafNteGr Ta Bstr.oCkeO. TMhe speech therapist recommended thatoral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia. During visiting hours, Mr. Hill fed his wife some noodles. The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr. Hill from feeding his wife, telling him it was the doctor's decision. An hour later, the nurse returned and found Mr. Hill feeding his wife again. The nurse tried to stop him again. Mr. Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse. The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs. Hill's chart. The outcome as depicted by Thomas' conflict stages can be considered to be: a. compromising. b. confronting. c. constructive. d. destructive.

ANS: D Resolution was absent because the nurse did not have time to effectively deal with the issues in the conflict. This can lead to negativity, increased frustration, and further distancing between individuals or groups, including between patients and nurses.

Sarah is a nursing graduate of 5 years who is very confident in her clinical skills. She has taken some certificate courses in leadership and management and has considered beginning a graduate degree with this focus. She is excited about being able to use her knowledge and interest by being hired as a nurse manager. Before beginning her new position, Sarah spends time with her nurse executive to clarify the executive's expectations of her and of the unit that she has been hired to manage. Sarah finds that she is comfortable with the expectations of staff and her supervisor regarding her management role and responsibilities and has been able to effect a strong commitment to quality clinical care on the unit. At this point, Sarah has likely attained this role: a. development. b. acceptance. c. symmetry. d. internalization.

ANS: D Role internalization is achieved when the manager experiences performance of the role as being congruent with his or her own beliefs. Role acceptance refers to accepting the contract and making a public announcement of the acceptance.

Which one of the following statements has been proven to be true? a. Recent research has found that women do not have a unique physiologic response to stress. b. Both men and women interpret the same stressor in the same manner without regard to past experiences. c. Stress influences the immune system in one complex manner. d. Stressors that are identical do not necessarily have similar effects on each individual.

ANS: D Stressors may be unique to certain environments, situations, and persons or groups, and individuals may respond to the same stressor in different ways.

What is the best example of skilled negotiation? a. Linda, the manager on pediatrics, takes a proposal to her supervisor, outlining the benefits of a walk-in preoperative area for children. b. Kim, RN, asks for leave to pursue a semester of full-time study in her graduate program. She proposes to accept less popular rotations during peak vacation time, in return. c. George, the head nurse in ER, asks for additional staff for his department and points out the benefits of being able to keep patients for longer periods. d. Jerry speaks with his supervisor about his supervisor's concerns related to bedside reporting before presenting a proposal to change this process

ANS: D Successful negotiators are well informed about not only their own positions but also those of the opposing side. Negotiators must be able to discuss the pros and cons of both positions. They can assist the other party in recognizing the costs versus the benefits of each position.

Lucy, head nurse on the surgical unit, works with her staff to find ways in which they can work together with other disciplines to provide more effective care for patients on the unit. Lucy likely knows her power is: a. limited, thereby necessitating involvement of others in implementing ideas. b. Restricted, which necessitates finding alternative means to achieve strong patient outcomes. c. directed primarily toward those who are subordinate to her. d. of unlimited capacity when shared with others

ANS: D Those like Lucy, who share power, tend to be the strong collaborators and see power as an unlimited quantity when shared. Empowered nurses make professional practice possible, creating a culture that satisfies all nurses.

In helping nurse managers to manage their time, the chief nursing officer suggests that they: a. maintain a perfectionistic attitude. b.set up a complaint list. c. have good negotiation skills. d. have good information literacy skills.

ANS: D Time can be saved by using information technology effectively, as it assists with effective data retrieval and information gathering and with communication related to a variety of needs in the management setting.

Time management is very essential for the nurse manager. Which of the following is not a good time-management technique? a. Decide what not to do. b. Learn to say "No." c. Learn to delegate. d. Break down your workload into smaller, manageable tasks

ANS: D To manage time successfully, it is important to break down your workload into smaller, manageable tasks. Developing PERT and Gantt charts will aid in dealing with larger, complex projects. Both charts can be used to outline how an individual will approach a large project.

Seth is hired as the nurse manager for a surgical unit. After a year, the hospital reorganizes, and his position is lost. In leaving the unit, it is important for Seth to: a. engage in clarifying why the hospital did not state its expectations for the unit at the time of hiring. b. hire a lawyer to represent his interests during this unexpected role transition. c. seek counseling to deal with his shock and anger. d. negotiate a reasonable settlement.

ANS: D When role transition occurs as a result of restructuring, the unit manager should request and negotiate reasonable compensation and assistance, even if it is not offered initially by the employer.