A nurse reminds a colleague about a family member's concern about a patient's hydration. On the way to assess the patient, the colleague grabs a juice for the patient, which leads to the family member feeling assured that the team is listening to his concerns. The patient's hydration status stabilizes, contributing to the IV being discontinued, a shorter hospital stay, and positive responses on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. This series of actions is an example of:
A) The mysterious nature of complexity science
B) Adaptability
C) The butterfly effect
D) Self-organization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The butterfly effect refers to how a small action or event can lead to significant, often unforeseen consequences. In this scenario, the simple act of grabbing a juice for the patient led to a series of positive outcomes, illustrating how minor changes in a system can have large effects.

A Nurse Reminds a Colleague About a Family Member's Concern