Author Question: A nurse manager conducts rounds on the unit and discovers that expired stock medicine is still in ... (Read 28 times)

rosent76 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A nurse manager conducts rounds on the unit and discovers that expired stock medicine is still in the cabinet despite the e-mail that was sent stating that it had to be discarded.

The staff nurse dress code is not being adhered to as requested in the same e-mail. Several staff nurses deny having received the e-mail. Which action should the nurse manager take?
a. Close the staff lounge.
b. Enforce a stricter dress code.
c. Include the findings on each staff member's annual evaluation.
d. Place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member's mailbox.

Question 2

A staff nurse delegates a task to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP), knowing that the NAP has never performed the task before.

As a result, the patient is injured, and the nurse defensively states that the NAP should have known how to perform such a simple task. Which element of the decision-making process is the nurse lacking?
a. Authority
b. Autonomy
c. Responsibility
d. Accountability

nixon_s · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The identified problem is lack of staff communication. Sending an e-mail was not effective; therefore, giving each staff member a hard copy along with e-mailing is another approach the manager can take. An effective manager uses a variety of approaches to communicate quickly and accurately to all staff. For example, many managers distribute biweekly or monthly newsletters of ongoing unit or facility activities. Including the findings on evaluations, closing the lounge, and enforcing stricter dress codes do not address the problem.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Accountability refers to individuals being answerable for their actions. The nurse in this situation is not taking ownership of the inappropriate delegation of a task. Autonomy is freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. Responsibility refers to the duties and activities that an individual is employed to perform. Authority refers to legitimate power to give commands and make final decisions specific to a given position.