Question 1

The nursing unit has experienced high stress and a higher than normal turnover rate. The manager asks a longtime member of the nursing staff to analyze the manager's job performance. What is most likely the reason for this request?

Accepted Answer

The request for analysis of the manager's job performance suggests that the manager is questioning his or her own leadership style and its effectiveness, which may be contributing to the high stress and turnover on the nursing unit. Gathering feedback from a longtime member of the nursing staff is a proactive step toward addressing this issue and improving the manager's leadership skills.

Question 2

A charge nurse has been trying to please all the nurses, physicians, clients, and staff of the unit. This has caused considerable stress for this nurse. After a few days off the nurse decided to manage the role differently. What has occurred to the nurse over these days off?

Accepted Answer

The nurse has decided to manage their role differently, indicating a redefinition of their role. Prior to this, the nurse was experiencing stress which could be attributed to role conflict, but the fact that they have taken time off to rethink their approach suggests a deliberate attempt at role redefinition. Therefore, the most appropriate answer is C - Role redefinition.

Question 3

A hospital has been acquired by a new management company. As part of this acquisition, several different types of equipment have been introduced into the client care area. How can the manager best plan to reduce the stress of using this equipment?

Accepted Answer

The best way to reduce stress in using new equipment is to ensure that all nurses attend training sessions on the use of all equipment. This will enable everyone to have a thorough understanding of how to use the equipment, and ultimately improve patient care. Having all the equipment put into service at one time may overwhelm the staff and lead to more stress. Teaching only the senior nurses may lead to knowledge gaps in the rest of the staff, and posting written instructions may not be enough to fully understand how to use the equipment.

Question 4

An experienced nurse manager is serving as mentor to a newly appointed manager. The experienced manager says, "Always try to keep your staff as well informed as possible about what is going on at the administrative level." What rationale should the manager offer for this advice?

Accepted Answer

1. Although nursing involvement is encouraged, this is not the good rationale for this manager's statement.
2. This may be the case, but it is not the primary rationale for this statement.
3. When staff members are informed and find that managerial information is reliable, the amount of suspicion and rumor decreases.
4. The purpose of sharing information is not to reduce the manager's stress.

Question 5

A nurse manager notes that staff is struggling with caring for an increased client load while a new management system is being implemented. What managerial action would help reduce this stress?

Accepted Answer

Asking for nurse input into decisions that directly affect care can help reduce stress by involving staff in the decision-making process and allowing them to feel like they have a voice in the changes being implemented. It may also lead to a more effective and efficient implementation of the new management system. Hiring additional staff or instituting shift rotation may mitigate some of the workload stress temporarily, but it doesn't address the root cause of the issue and may not be sustainable long-term solutions. Using the unit for a student clinical could potentially add to the workload stress and may not be well-received by staff who are already struggling to manage their current caseload.

Question 6

A nurse who transferred from the medical-surgical unit completed orientation to the ICU 6 weeks ago, but is stressed and unsure of personal skill competency. The nurse manager learns of this lack of confidence. Which action by the manager would best benefit this nurse and the unit?

Accepted Answer

Providing additional weeks to orientation with a focus on skill development would be the best option for the nurse and the unit. This would allow the nurse to gain more experience and confidence in the ICU setting, improving their skill competency and reducing their stress levels. This would benefit both the nurse and the unit by ensuring high-quality patient care and reducing the likelihood of errors or adverse events. Reducing the nurse's client assignment or providing written instructions would not necessarily address the underlying issue of lack of confidence and skill competency, while transferring the nurse back to the medical-surgical unit would not allow them to develop ICU-specific skills.

Question 7

The supervisor of critical care services tells the unit manager, "We must cut costs, so I am asking you to arrange your day so that you provide care to two or three clients and cover for lunch and rest breaks. Also don't forget that your budget estimates are due next week, as are your preliminary schedules for the winter holidays." Two days later, the nurse manager is stressed and exhausted. What should the manager do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The supervisor of critical care services tells...

Question 8

A nurse manager is considering referring a nurse who is very stressed to the employee assistance program (EAP) offered by the institution. What does this consideration indicate?

Accepted Answer

The consideration to refer the nurse to the EAP suggests that the manager believes the service would promote the nurse's health and well-being, indicating that the manager is concerned about the nurse's mental health and wants to support them. The other options are not supported by the given information and are not likely considerations in this situation.

Question 9

During an annual performance review, the staff nurse admits to being very stressed by the demands of the job, marriage, and four teenage children. Which comment by the nurse manager is indicated?

Accepted Answer

The nurse manager should acknowledge the nurse's stress and work with her to develop resiliency skills. It is not appropriate to suggest that the nurse give up aspects of her personal life or to criticize her for being affected by personal problems. Flexibility with work hours may be helpful, but it is not the most appropriate response in this situation.

Question 10

A nurse supervisor is aware that nurses in the facility have been under a great deal of stress while working through a major change in the ownership of the hospital. Which nurses would the supervisor be most concerned might develop compassion fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Nurses working in high-stress environments like emergency departments and trauma surgery units are more prone to developing compassion fatigue due to the nature of their work. They often experience high levels of emotional exhaustion, burnout, and trauma exposure, leading to compassion fatigue. The major change in ownership of the hospital would only compound the stressors, making it more likely for these nurses to develop compassion fatigue.

Quiz 25: Managing Stress