Deck 18: Building Teams Through Communication and Partnerships

Question 1

The staff development educator developed strategies to help nurse managers actively listen.Guidelines for active listening include which of the following?

A) Speed up your internal processes so that you can process more data.
B) Realize that the first words of the sender are the most important.
C) Be prepared to make an effective judgment of the communication sender.
D) Cultivate a desire to learn about the other person.

Answer 1

Cultivate a desire to learn about the other person.

Question 2

From the information presented in this chapter,which of the following statements best defines an accomplished team? Effective teams:

A) Can create a form of synergism in which the outcome is greater than the sum of the individual performances.
B) Do not necessarily need goals, objectives, vision, and a clearly stated purpose.
C) Do not always have effective communication patterns.
D) May or may not have a clear plan that is followed and revisited and has an ongoing evaluation scheme.

Answer 2

Can create a form of synergism in which the outcome is greater than the sum of the individual performances.

Question 3

The nurse manager used a mediator to help resolve conflicts on the unit.During the mediation process,the nurse manager saw signs of potential team-building.One key concept of an effective team is:

A) Conflict.
B) Task clarity.
C) Commitment.
D) A designated leader.

Answer 3

Commitment.

Question 4

The chief nursing officer decided that the nurse managers need a series of staff development programs on team-building through communication and partnerships.She understood that the nurse managers needed to build confidence in ways of handling various situations.The greatest deterrent to confidence is:

A) Lack of clarity in the mission.
B) Lack of control of the environment.
C) Fear that one can't handle the consequences.
D) Fear that the boss will not like one's work.

Question 5

A mediator suggested that the nurse manager and staff members decide on a method to resolve conflicts.It is important to have agreements about how team members will work together because:

A) If there are no agreements, each member will make up his or her own procedures without consensus.
B) People are naturally difficult and will not work well together without such agreements.
C) People will naturally ask for agreements about how to be together.
D) A way to eliminate nonproductive team members must be available.

Question 6

After staff meetings lately,Sharon,the head nurse,observes her staff in small groups,having animated discussions that end abruptly when she approaches.Sharon reflects on this observation and realizes that:

A) Two very outspoken members tend to dominate discussions in meetings.
B) This behavior is indicative of a high level of communication among her staff.
C) Staff members are very committed to the team and have strong opinions.
D) Ongoing discussion outside of meetings is conducive to creativity.

Question 7

The mediator asked each staff member to reflect on his or her communication style.Which of the following best describes communication? Communication:

A) Is a reflection of self-analysis.
B) Is a result of thoughtful consideration.
C) Consists of thoughts, ideas, opinions, emotions, and feelings.
D) Focuses on the sender of the message.

Question 8

The mediator suggested to the unit staff that a group agreement needed to be made so meetings could become productive.For example,the group agreement,"We will speak supportively," prevents:

A) Side conversations during meetings.
B) Gossip and backbiting.
C) Feedback when one member of the group disagrees with the discussion.
D) Voting negatively on motions.

Question 9

You are charged with developing a new nursing curriculum and are committed to developing a curriculum that reflects the needs of the profession and of the workplace.To address deficits that may already be present in nursing curricula related to the workplace,you include more content and skills development related to:

A) Therapeutic communication with patients.
B) Effective communication in the workplace.
C) Increased emphasis on sender-receiver dyads.
D) Generational differences in communication.

Question 10

The SBAR system of communications is one of the most used communication systems in health care because:

A) It deals with all aspects of communications in patient care except with the physician.
B) The nurse is on the same communication level as administration.
C) It focuses on a system in which information is provided and gleaned in an honorable way.
D) It honors an unstructured transfer of information.

Question 11

Marcy,a new staff nurse,is very concerned about "fitting in" on the rehabilitation unit.She addresses her concerns and speaks with the head nurse.The head nurse speaks with the rest of the staff and reminds them how important it is for a staff member to feel that he or she is part of the group.Which of the following statements would she not include in her talk? "Staff members who feel included:

A) Are more cooperative."
B) Are harder workers."
C) Are part of the 50% who feel their strengths are used."
D) Bring enthusiasm and commitment to the group."

Question 12

A nurse manager is experiencing conflicts between herself and staff members.She had tried to develop a team by using a shared leadership model to empower the staff.Staff members are functioning:

A) As a team.
B) Independently.
C) Interdependently.
D) As a group.

Question 13

The nurse educator was giving a workshop on team building.She noted that effective communication is essential for team building.One of the key questions in the workshop was,"What is the best way to check to see if what you have communicated to a team member is understood the way you meant it to be understood?" The correct response is which of the following options?

A) Active listening and feedback
B) Cues from nonverbal communications
C) Content and context clues
D) Reliance on paralanguage

Question 14

By following a shared leadership model,the nurse manager believes that staff members will learn to function synergistically.Some teams function synergistically because members:

A) Do not volunteer unwanted information.
B) Actively listen to each other.
C) Listen to the person who believes he or she is an expert.
D) Do not speak unless they are absolutely sure they are correct in their views.

Question 15

The mediator noticed that tension was still evident between the nurse manager and staff members.He informed the chief nursing officer that to begin team-building,it would be important that everyone:

A) Work together in a respectful, civil manner.
B) Use avoidance techniques when confronted with a conflict.
C) Develop a personal friendship with each other.
D) Socialize frequently outside of work.

Question 16

Trust is an important aspect of helping relationships,therapeutic communications,and the positive communications model.Which statement does not involve or operationally define trust? Trust:

A) Can be described as a belief that although the nurse is capable of helping in times of distress, the nurse is unlikely do so.
B) Is the basis by which leaders facilitate the activities and progress of a team.
C) Is very critical in teams and interdisciplinary teams.
D) Is an important aspect of interpersonal relationships.

Question 17

The state of being emotionally impelled,demonstrated by a sense of passion and dedication to a project or event,describes:

A) Commitment.
B) Control.
C) Willingness to cooperate.
D) Communication.

Question 18

The nurse manager was upset with the staff nurse and said,"You did not understand what I said." Which element in the communication process was she referring to?

A) Feedback between receiver and sender
B) A message channel
C) A receiver who decodes the message
D) A set of barriers that may occur between sender and receiver

Question 19

Sally (RN)and Melissa (RN)have shared an ongoing conflict since the first day that Melissa worked on the unit.Sally has confided to another colleague that she doesn't even know why the conflict started or what it was about.This is an example of:

A) How expectations and objectives need to be made clear in team situations.
B) The need to encourage open discussion of disagreements in opinions.
C) The importance of involving all staff in discussions in group settings.
D) The enduring nature of first impressions.

Question 20

"I really wish that my supervisor would realize and acknowledge all the things I do well…" In nursing,this has been identified as a problem.Which statement is part of the solution? Focus on:

A) New staff.
B) Care assignments with which the individual is not familiar.
C) Making corrections.
D) The strengths of the individual rather than the weaknesses.

Question 21

The unit manager was addressing nursing students in the lounge area and was discussing team leadership and team effectiveness.She stated,"One can agree to disagree with another team member's perspective even when one doesn't necessarily see that perspective as being the correct one." In being creative,which of the following basic rules was she talking about?

A) Listening actively
B) Being compassionate
C) Being flexible
D) Committing to resolution

Question 22

Which of the following is not a necessary requirement for formation of a team? In forming a team,the leader should keep in mind that the team:

A) Should include only members with similar personalities.
B) Is responsible for creating its own vision.
C) Should decide the goals and objectives.
D) Should encourage participants to be actively involved.

Question 23

What is not a key concept in a well-functioning team?

A) Absence of disagreement or conflict
B) Special work that is understood and supported by all
C) Willingness to work together respectfully
D) Dedication to a mission

Question 24

Bennis,a researcher and writer,posits that effective leaders share three fundamental qualities.Which of the following is not a fundamental quality?

A) A guiding vision
B) Passion
C) Integrity
D) Motivation

Question 25

Which of the following would not be a characteristic of an effective team nurse leader?

A) An autocratic perspective
B) Excellent communication skills
C) Awareness of everyone's abilities
D) A genuine interest in team members

Question 26

Healthcare agencies and hospitals expect their practitioners to be effective team members.Two key players in the healthcare team are nurses and physicians.Which of the following statements accurately defines the roles and responsibilities of nurses and physicians?

A) Doctors are the hub of the team, whereas nurses are peripheral members.
B) Nurses are considered to be the hub of the team, and doctors are peripheral members.
C) Doctors focus on the holistic needs of the patient, whereas nurses focus on the condition that caused the patient to seek healthcare services in the first place.
D) Physicians are the first point of contact. They focus on the disease process, whereas nurses focus on the holistic needs of patients.