A nursing manager for a cardiac unit wishes to improve ...

[chandani]

A nursing manager for a cardiac unit wishes to improve collaborative teamwork to improve patient care outcomes. Which action by the manager would best accomplish this goal?
 
  a. Create permanent nurseaide work groups.
  b. Formulate nursecardiologist work teams.
  c. Implement daily multidisciplinary rounds.
  d. Require face-to-face reports between nurses.

Question 2

A nurse is working with a patient who seems changed from earlier in the shift. The nurse cannot pinpoint exactly what has changed but is concerned that the patient is getting worse. The best action by the nurse would be to
 
  a. call the physician and voice concerns about the patient's status.
  b. consult with the charge nurse and ask for his or her opinion.
  c. continue monitoring the patient, looking for distinct changes.
  d. document the findings and reassess the patient in an hour.

[joneynes]

Answer to Question 1

C
Implementing daily multidisciplinary rounds would best accomplish the goal because all members of the team would hear about each other's contributions and how each member views the patient situation. Each member of the team would feel like an important member. When collaboration occurs, patient safety improves.
Creating permanent nurseaide work groups would help with teamwork and collaboration but only between nurses and nurses' aides, so this answer is too narrow in focus.
Formulating nursecardiologist work teams would help with teamwork and collaboration, but because it only includes two members of the multidisciplinary team, the answer is too narrow in focus.
Requiring face-to-face reports between nurses would help with teamwork and collaboration but only involves the professional nursing staff, so this answer is too narrow in focus.

Answer to Question 2

A
Nurses should listen to their inner voices and confidently voice concerns, in this case by calling the physician about the patient's status.
Consulting with someone who has more expertise is always a good idea, but the best option is for the nurse to voice concerns to the physician.
Waiting for distinct changes to occur before reporting the patient's status may lead to a poor outcome. Many times the patient deteriorates significantly before showing distinct symptoms. Nurses often report that something was not right with a patient who later worsens.
Documentation is important, but if the nurse feels the patient is getting worse, waiting an hour to reassess would not be in the interest of patient safety.

[chandani]

Gracias!

[amandalm]

Excellent