Deck 2: Personal Management: Time and Self-Care Strategies

Question 1

A student nurse is feeling stressed about the combination of nursing courses and clinical experience in the semester.What actions can the student nurse take to reduce stress level based on biological rhythms?

A) Schedule difficult activities at high-energy times.
B) Shorten sleep time to accommodate increased study times.
C) Study before bedtime to increase memorization.
D) Only study when not feeling stressed.

Answer 1

Schedule difficult activities at high-energy times.

Question 2

The nurse would identify which of the following strategies as a means of increasing feelings of empowerment?

A) Requesting an assignment to a different hospital unit
B) Assisting friends to cover their shifts when they need time off
C) Telling a coworker that a joke heard in private was inconsiderate and thoughtless
D) Declining to work an extra shift and going to the movies with friends

Answer 2

Declining to work an extra shift and going to the movies with friends

Question 3

What actions can a student take to manage the phone calls received throughout the day?

A) Set a specific time during the day for business or school related phone calls.
B) Allow phones call at any time as long as they are short.
C) If the student needs to leave a message,state that he/she can be contacted any time.
D) Keep the phone turned off until all studying is completed for the day.

Answer 3

Set a specific time during the day for business or school related phone calls.

Question 4

What actions should a graduate nurse take in the first work experience to avoid problems with burnout?

A) Cross-train to work in different areas of the hospital.
B) Develop a social group of nurses with whom to share work experiences.
C) Plan on several sessions with a counselor regarding managing stress.
D) Develop social contacts outside of nursing and maintain good nutrition and good sleep habits.

Question 5

What action by student nurses indicates readiness for successful study habits?

A) Combining their study area with the space that they use to pay bills
B) Color coding their materials from each class
C) Keeping all materials and papers in one bin
D) Cleaning their study area at the end of each semester

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a self-defeating belief?

A) I must always feel loved by everyone.
B) I am a caring person.
C) I will get through nursing school.
D) I am getting better.

Question 7

Which statement indicates the nurse's understanding of effective time management?

A) "The purpose of effective time management is to save hours,minutes,and seconds."
B) "The purpose of effective time management is to do as much as possible in as short a time as possible."
C) "The purpose of effective time management is to do as little as possible."
D) "The purpose of effective time management is to achieve personal and professional goals."

Question 8

The nurse has concluded that he/she is a right-brain-dominant person.Based on the nurse's time style,which unit governance task will the nurse implement?

A) Devise a plan to restructure the nursing career ladder.
B) Write a procedure for central line care using new equipment that will be available in two weeks.
C) Do the unit time schedule for the next pay period.
D) Collate data obtained from a chart audit to report at the next unit staff meeting.

Question 9

Which of the following actions by the nurse helps to prevent burnout?

A) Picking up extra shifts each week
B) Staying late to help out at the end of each shift
C) Scheduling a massage on a day off
D) Teaching at the local community college one day a week

Question 10

A nurse manager is assigning additional duties to the day shift nurses to keep the unit orderly and running smoothly.Which assignment would be the best for a right-brain-dominant nurse?

A) Clean up the break room by noon.
B) Assist with completing a unit project,based on specific rules and guidelines.
C) Create a poster board in honor of Nurse's Week.
D) Take part in a meeting regarding unit policies.

Question 11

Which is an example of an effective self-care strategy for a nurse?

A) Plan time for physical recuperation after working extra hours.
B) Push feelings of sadness,joy,anger,and fear out of awareness.
C) Use alcohol to reduce tension.
D) Respond to people and opportunities reactively.

Question 12

Which action by the nurse exemplifies a sense of spiritual health?

A) Belonging to a church
B) Feeling purposeful and fulfilled
C) Feeling loved and cared for
D) Changing religious affiliations

Question 13

Nurse 1: "The manager told me that you and I have to change work schedules to accommodate Jim.That means we will both have to work days and nights in the same week.There's nothing we can do about it." Nurse 2: "Let's take a minute and look at the possible alternatives." What is the best assessment of this situation?

A) Nurse 1 is exhibiting reactive behavior,and Nurse 2 is being proactive.
B) Nurse 1 is exhibiting a sense of empowerment,and Nurse 2 is behaving codependently.
C) Jim and the nurse manager have formed a coalition with the goal of dominating other staff.
D) The nurse manager is evidencing good self-esteem by daring to take an unpopular action that will expose criticism.

Question 14

A nurse has been out of school about 6 months.Which of the following would indicate that the nurse is having problems with burnout?

A) Having chronic fatigue,increased irritability,and feelings of helplessness
B) Feels angry regarding the type of care being delivered and scheduling of staff coverage
C) Signs up for extra courses for an advanced degree and works double shifts for extra money
D) Is disorganized regarding patient care and has to stay late to finish shift work

Question 15

How can the student nurse increase studying efficiency?

A) Maintaining a supply of simple carbohydrates for a quick energy spurt
B) Alternating mental and physical activities to increase productivity
C) Working nonstop without breaks to focus concentration
D) Delegating tasks of household chores to family members

Question 16

What activity would most likely promote a positive feeling of well-being in a graduate nurse about 6 months after employment?

A) Have a group of staff nurses over for a party.
B) Participate in hospital-sponsored programs for community health.
C) Spend some time with an old friend who is in the middle of a divorce.
D) Get involved in a new hobby and attend social gatherings to meet new people.

Question 17

A student wants to begin planning for future educational goals.Which of the following actions would NOT help the student plan?

A) Review a list of goals once a year.
B) Make a master list of goals.
C) Prioritize goals.
D) Cross out goals as they are met.

Question 18

A nurse is considering pursuing additional education in nursing and hopes to be promoted to a management position.What action should the nurse take to best achieve this?

A) Wait until "the time is right" and inquire about program and promotion opportunities.
B) Be the best nurse possible and hope a scholarship or promotion will be awarded.
C) Set long-range,mid-range,and short-range goals with specific related activities and time frames to meet these goals.
D) Read three books on time management.

Question 19

In 4 weeks,a student nurse will have two tests and one paper due in the same week.What is the most effective time-management strategy for this student nurse?

A) Control time wasters to have more time for studying and writing.
B) Delegate everything possible to create more time for studying.
C) Schedule specific times on a calendar to study for the tests and to work on the paper during the next 4 weeks.
D) Wait to study for the tests and to write the paper the week before they are due because the student nurse "works best under pressure."

Question 20

A student nurse likes to sleep late and has a high-energy period in the evening.The student resists schedules and prefers to study when it "feels right" and in groups.Which of the following characteristics fit this student?

A) Early bird and left-brain dominance
B) Early bird and right-brain dominance
C) Owl and left-brain dominance
D) Owl and right-brain dominance

Question 21

Which of the following statements by the nursing student is an affirmation?

A) "I must maintain As in school."
B) "I am human and capable of making mistakes."
C) "If I fail at something,the results will be catastrophic."
D) "If I am not liked by everyone,I am a failure."

Question 22

The nurse understands stress-related illness when stating which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Stress can cause insomnia."
B) "Stress is known to cause muscle and joint pain."
C) "Stress can cause headaches."
D) "Stress is not known to cause any health problems."
E) "Stress can cause gastrointestinal disturbances."

Question 23

What actions can the nurse take to manage a habit of procrastinating? (Select all that apply.)

A) Consider the consequences of not completing each activity.
B) Start on time and plan for the project to end on time.
C) Break projects into small,manageable pieces.
D) Set up a reward system for project completion.
E) Be realistic about what can be accomplished.

Question 24

What actions by the student would manage the physical environment? (Select all that apply.)

A) Set up an area that is specific to school work.
B) Choose a work area that has soft,dim lighting.
C) Choose a work area that is free from distractions.
D) Gather appropriate tools before each study session begins.
E) Study for 30 minutes at a time and take a 5-minute break in between.

Question 25

When taking an online or web-enhanced course,what are effective time management strategies? (Select all that apply.)

A) Enroll in an online or web-enhanced course that has fewer than 15 students to reduce the amount of time it takes to respond to everyone in the class.
B) Print your syllabus and create a calendar with assignment due dates and discussion posting requirements.
C) Create a directory on your computer to place assignments and resources specific for the course.
D) Determine what the best time is for logging into the course website and create a schedule for weekly log-in times.
E) Develop an online group of colleagues that meet in the chat room or participate in instant messaging.

Question 26

To achieve success in the workplace,which action by the nurse would focus on improving skills? (Select all that apply.)

A) Taking a course on communication
B) Thinking of a way to improve time management
C) Understanding the layout of the hospital
D) Spending some time working on organizational skills
E) Knowing where supplies are on the unit