Deck 8: Communication and Conflict

Question 1

Two nurses on a psychiatric unit come from different backgrounds and have graduated from different universities.They are given a set of new orders from the unit manager.Each nurse displays different emotions in response to the orders.Nurse A indicates that the new orders include too many changes; Nurse B disagrees and verbally indicates why.This step in the process is which of the following in Thomas' stages of conflict?

A) Frustration
B) Conceptualization
C) Action
D) Outcomes

Answer 1

Conceptualization

Question 2

Mrs.Hill,aged 68,was hospitalized after a stroke.The speech therapist recommended that oral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia.During visiting hours,Mr.Hill fed his wife some noodles.The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr.Hill from feeding his wife,telling him it was the doctor's decision.An hour later,the nurse returned and found Mr.Hill feeding his wife again.The nurse tried to stop him again.Mr.Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse.The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs.Hill's chart.The outcome as depicted by Thomas' conflict stages can be considered to be:

A) compromising.
B) confronting.
C) constructive.
D) destructive.

Answer 2

destructive.

Question 3

Factors that influence the ease with which conflict is resolved include all except which of the following?

A) Level of interdependence of the parties
B) Interprofessional collaboration
C) Expression of one's own needs and ideas
D) Avoidance of the issue or concern

Answer 3

Avoidance of the issue or concern

Question 4

The head nurse and a staff nurse are having a conflict over how to use and apply a new procedure for dressings in the medical/surgical area.The staff nurse wishes to use the new procedure based on newly released nursing research.The head nurse wishes to use a protocol that has been used in the department for a number of years.The head nurse later makes comments to other staff on her unit about the credibility of the staff nurse.This behavior is associated with:

A) lateral violence.
B) horizontal violence.
C) confrontation.
D) bullying.

Question 5

Mrs.Hill,aged 68,was hospitalized after a stroke.The speech therapist recommended that oral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia.During visiting hours,Mr.Hill fed his wife some noodles.The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr.Hill from feeding his wife,telling him it was the doctor's decision.An hour later,the nurse returned and found Mr.Hill feeding his wife again.The nurse tried to stop him again.Mr.Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse.The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs.Hill's chart.According to Thomas' four stages of conflict,in which stage could the nurse have been more effective?

A) Frustration
B) Conceptualizing
C) Action
D) Outcomes

Question 6

John is a circulating nurse in the operating room.He is usually assigned to general surgery,but on this day he is assigned to the orthopedic room.He is unfamiliar with the routines and studies the doctor's preference cards before each patient.The fourth patient comes into the room and John prepares a site for a biopsy using a Betadine solution.The surgeon prefers another solution.He notices what John has done and immediately corrects him by rudely insulting John.What is the appropriate approach to conflict resolution in this example?

A) Collaboration
B) Compromising
C) Avoiding
D) Withdraw

Question 7

The chief nursing officer plans a series of staff development workshops for the nurse managers to help them deal with conflicts.The first workshop introduces the four stages of conflict,which are:

A) frustration, competition, negotiation, and action.
B) frustration, conceptualization, action, and outcomes.
C) frustration, cooperation, collaboration, and action outcomes.
D) frustration, conceptualization, negotiation, and action outcomes.

Question 8

The nurse manager is aware that conflict is occurring on her unit; however,she is focused on preparing for a state health department visit,so she ignores the problem.What factor can increase stress and escalate conflict?

A) The use of avoidance
B) An enhanced nursing work force
C) Accepting that some conflict is normal
D) Managing the effects of fatigue and error

Question 9

Sarah is a nurse manager in a surgical unit.She is concerned about a conflict between Lucy (a staff nurse)and one of the maintenance personnel.Sarah explains to Lucy that unsatisfactory resolution of the conflict is typically destructive and will result in:

A) decreased frustration between the maintenance worker and her.
B) a good relationship with the maintenance department.
C) eventual resolution of the problem without further intervention.
D) decreased productivity on her part.

Question 10

A nursing instructor is teaching a class on conflict and conflict resolution.She relates to the class that conflict in an organization is important,and that an optimal level of conflict will generate:

A) creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers.
B) creativity, a staid atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers.
C) creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers.
D) a bureaucratic atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers.

Question 11

A group of staff nurses is dissatisfied with the new ideas presented by the newly hired nurse manager.The staff wants to keep their old procedures,and they resist the changes.Conflict arises from:

A) group decision-making options.
B) perceptions of incompatibility.
C) increases in group cohesiveness.
D) debates, negotiations, and compromises.

Question 12

A nurse educator is giving a workshop on conflict.During the sessions,he makes various statements regarding conflict.All of the statements are true except:

A) conflict can decrease creativity, thus acting as a deterrent for the development of new ideas.
B) horizontal violence involves those with similar status but little power in the larger context.
C) interprofessional collaboration reduces unresolved conflicts.
D) all conflicts involve some level of disagreement.

Question 13

After using a mediator to resolve a conflict between the nurse manager and two staff nurses,the chief nursing officer decides to:

A) observe to make sure the conflict has been resolved.
B) fire both staff nurses.
C) reassign both staff nurses.
D) reassign the nurse manager.

Question 14

Jane has transferred from the ICU to the CCU.She is very set in the way she makes assignments and encourages her new peers to adopt this method without sharing the rationale for why it is better.This is a good example of a process and procedure that creates which type of conflict?

A) Organizational
B) Intrapersonal
C) Interpersonal
D) Disruptive

Question 15

Jill is the head nurse on a unit in a large hospital.Two of the staff nurses are constantly arguing and blaming each other,and a resolution has not occurred in months.To solve the existing conflict,which is the most creative conflict resolution?

A) Avoiding
B) Competing
C) Compromising
D) Collaborating

Question 16

Sarah,a staff nurse on your unit,witnesses another nurse striking a patient.Sarah wants to remain friends with her colleague and worries that confrontation with her colleague or reporting her colleague will destroy their relationship.Sarah is experiencing which type of conflict?

A) Intrapersonal
B) Interpersonal
C) Organizational
D) Professional

Question 17

Staff at Valley Hospital are concerned that recent staffing cuts will affect their ability to provide quality patient care,and they express their concerns to senior management.The CEO of Valley Hospital makes the following statement: "We need to contain costs because our funding has been decreased." This is a good example of which of the following conditions that propel a situation toward conflict?

A) Incompatible goals
B) Role conflicts
C) Structural conflict
D) Competition for resources

Question 18

Two staff nurses are arguing about whose turn it is to work on the upcoming holiday.In trying to resolve this conflict,the nurse manager understands that interpersonal conflict arises when:

A) risk taking seems to be unavoidable.
B) people see events differently.
C) personal and professional priorities do not match.
D) the ways in which people should act do not match the ways in which they do act.

Question 19

Kala,a unit manager,in discussing a role the CEO would like her to perform,makes the following statement,"I will sit on the hospital task force on improving morale if you send me to the hospital's leadership training classes next week,so I can further develop my skills and thus be more effective." Which of the following conflict management styles is Kala using?

A) Collaborating
B) Avoiding
C) Negotiating
D) Accommodating

Question 20

The nurse manager decides to use a mediator to help resolve the staff's conflict.A basic strategy for truly addressing this conflict is to:

A) identify the conflicting facts.
B) be determined to resolve the conflict.
C) schedule a meeting time for resolution.
D) have a clear understanding of the differences between the parties in conflict.

Question 21

What exemplifies the predominant style of conflict management for staff nurses?

A) Sarah and Jonas, two RNs, disagree about the best approach to assisting a family that has complex needs. They decide that they will consult with family and together will decide what is best.
B) Jennifer needs to switch a shift to attend a family function. She arranges to trade with Nancy, who wants a day off next to a 3-day break.
C) Lindsay asks Melody to stay late for the third day in a row. Melody refuses, stating that she has already helped out for 2 days by staying late for Lindsay.
D) Lara asks Stacey to switch shifts with her because Lara wants to attend a concert. Stacey would prefer not to but does to enable Lara, who is new in town, to be with her friends.

Question 22

In trying to achieve Magnet status,the chief nursing officer establishes a shared governance model to help nurses experience job satisfaction.However,some nurses who have enjoyed working with less autonomy resist this change and begin to criticize and make rude comments about managers who embrace this model,as well as colleagues who support it.The comments are largely ignored because those who are making them are well established nurses who are often vocal about their displeasure with the organization.Organizational conflict is arising from which of the following?

A) Staffing practices
B) Increased participation in decision making
C) Allocation of resources
D) Tolerance of incivility

Question 23

Nurses entering the work force today are faced with which of the following relationships that could create organizational conflict?

A) Nurse-physician relationship
B) Nurse-nurse relationship
C) Nurse-patient relationship
D) Nurse-chief nursing officer relationship
E) Nurse-auxiliary personnel relationships

Question 24

Lee,the head nurse in ER,has attempted to meet Jillian,one of her staff RNs,for several days to discuss concerns about Jillian's relationships with her team members.Lee hopes to offer Jillian coaching so that Jillian's relationships can be more satisfying for Jillian and her team members.Each time Lee and Jillian set a time to meet,Jillian phones in sick.In this situation,Lee and Jillian are demonstrating:

A) similar conflict management strategies.
B) escalation of conflict.
C) avoidance and compromise strategies.
D) competing and compromise strategies.

Question 25

Which of the following exemplifies the predominant conflict management style of nurse managers?

A) Elizabeth, the head nurse on neurology, finds that Tom, the RN nurse on nights, is irritable in relation to any suggestions or new ideas, and so she comes in to work after Tom leaves the unit.
B) The technology committee has recommended a clinical system for implementation on the nursing unit. Staff is anxious about the change. Tim, the head nurse, asks staff for ideas on how to meet the technology goals and to meet staff needs.
C) During management meetings, George, the head nurse on nephrology, dominates meetings and decisions. Lee, the head nurse on the cardiac step-down unit, begins to miss the management meetings.
D) Ann, RN, asks her head nurse if she can go on the permanent evening shift. The head nurse, Rajib, agrees, as long as Ann agrees to be involved in assisting to mentor evening staff in the use of the new clinical information system.