Author Question: Several nurses on a medical-surgical unit have been asked by the nurse manager to form a group and ... (Read 138 times)

jhjkgdfhk · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Several nurses on a medical-surgical unit have been asked by the nurse manager to form a group and gather data regarding patient complaints of late meals. The nurses meet and establish ground rules. This phase of group development is called:

a. forming.
b. storming.
c. norming.
d. performing.

Question 2

A nurse has been working with a patient for the entire shift. Which action by the nurse is unacceptable?

a. Sharing a personal mobile phone number
b. Touching the patient's hand during a painful procedure
c. Standing 6 feet away from the patient when conversing
d. Using the SBAR method of hand-off communication

dlook33 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Tuckerman's model of group performance includes forming, storming, norming, and performing. In the forming phase, there is little agreement on team goals other than those received from the leader, and there is a high dependence on the leader for guidance and direction. Ground rules are established and trust amongst the members begins to develop. There is unrest in the storming phase as the individual team members struggle for power and form cliques. Decisions do not come easily at this stage. In the norming phase the leader plays a facilitating and enabling role as the team begins to agree and engage in group decisions. Commitment and unity is strong. The team, in the performing phase, has a shared vision and works together to achieve the goals.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Professional role boundaries define the limits and responsibilities of nurses within a specific setting. It is unprofessional and unethical to share personal phone numbers or meet with patients outside of the health care setting. Therapeutic touch, such as holding the patient's hand or touching the patient's shoulder, can provide comfort and may alleviate pain. This is especially true when a patient is undergoing a painful or stressful procedure. Conversing 6 feet away is appropriate because it falls in the realm of social space; intimate space is 0 to 1.5 feet, personal space is 1.5 to 4 feet, and public space is 12 feet or more. One method of interpersonal communication that has been adopted to increase interprofessional and hand-off communication is the SBAR model (situation, background, action/assessment/awareness, and recommendation).