Author Question: Your healthcare organization places a high value on workplace safety and integrates this into all ... (Read 39 times)

abern · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Your healthcare organization places a high value on workplace safety and integrates this into all aspects of administrative and patient care processes.

As a unit manager, you thoroughly endorse this direction, and during the selection and hiring of new staff, you consistently:

a. Refuse to hire applicants who are pushy during interviews.
b. Thoroughly follow up with all references before offering a position.
c. Ask applicants during the interview if drug or alcohol abuse is a problem.
d. Refuse to interview applicants with sporadic work histories.

Question 2

In which of the following situations would you, as the head nurse, be concerned about potential safety issues?

a. Jordan comes to your office to complain about inadequate staffing on the unit. He says that he is concerned because he attributes a recent incident to the staffing levels.
b. Henry, a long-standing RN on the unit, has begun to miss work regularly. He calls in but is vague about his reasons for the absences.
c. Carla, RN, has just ended an abusive relationship with Jake, RN, and he will not leave her alone. You are meeting with Jake today because colleagues on nights have reported that Jake seems to have been intoxicated last night and the previous night.
d. Sarah is very quiet and says almost nothing in team meetings. Lately, she has been much more animated since becoming friendly with a couple of other RNs on the unit.

bhavsar · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Determining if current employees pose a danger in the workplace is a critical factor that is often overlooked. In addition to personal and psychological factors, behaviors can be observed in employees that may be related to violence or aggression in the workplace (Paludi, Nydegger, & Paludi, 2006). The most obvious indicator is a previous history of aggression and substance abuse. Screening potential employees through drug testing, background checks, and references can help reduce the risk of hiring someone who may pose a danger in the workplace.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Jake seems at most risk for violence because of his alcohol use and history of aggression. In the other situations, Jordan is expressing a legitimate concern and is behaving assertively; Henry may have health concerns or other issues that are private and interfering with his work life; and Sarah's change in behavior is likely related to a higher level of comfort with work and colleagues.