Nursing Elites

1. A manager has been given a deadline to complete an assignment by the end of the day. It will take every minute left of the afternoon to complete. Which interventions illustrate assertiveness to minimize interruptions in order to meet the deadline? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Allowing voicemail to answer all incoming calls or turning off email notification
• B. Delegating a discharge planning issue for a patient to one of the staff nurses
• C. Placing a 'Do Not Disturb for the Afternoon' sign on the office door
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: All the interventions listed are appropriate ways to minimize interruptions. By allowing voicemail to answer calls or turning off email notifications, the manager can focus solely on the assignment. Delegating tasks to staff nurses frees up the manager's time. Placing a 'Do Not Disturb for the Afternoon' sign on the office door sends a clear message to minimize interruptions and focus on the deadline. Therefore, all of the above interventions illustrate assertiveness to meet the deadline by minimizing interruptions.

2. A healthcare professional is caring for a client who has a sodium level of 125 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L). Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Positive Chvostek's sign
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Numbness of the extremities
• D. Abdominal cramping

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A sodium level of 125 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which can lead to abdominal cramping. Abdominal cramping is a common symptom of hyponatremia due to an imbalance in electrolytes. While other options like Chvostek's sign, bradycardia, and numbness of the extremities can be associated with other electrolyte imbalances, they are not typically seen with low sodium levels. Chvostek's sign is related to hypocalcemia, bradycardia can be seen in hyperkalemia, and numbness of the extremities can be a symptom of hypocalcemia or hypokalemia, but not directly related to hyponatremia.

3. Which of the following would be considered an urgent and important issue?

• A. Replacing two staff who were injured while caring for a violent patient
• B. Updating the employee break room with new furniture
• C. Preparing educational packets on self-administration of insulin for patients
• D. Arranging a team-building event for staff members

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because replacing staff injured while caring for a violent patient is both urgent and important. This issue directly relates to staff safety and patient care, requiring immediate attention. Choice B is not urgent or crucial to patient care. Choice C is important but may not be as urgent as the situation in choice A. Choice D is not as critical as replacing injured staff, making it a less urgent and important issue.

4. To best reduce the potential for risk, what type of atmosphere is needed to be developed?

• A. Nurse-focused
• B. Physician-focused
• C. Family-focused
• D. Patient-focused

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Patient-focused.' When aiming to reduce the potential for risk, it is essential to prioritize the needs and well-being of the patients. Creating a patient-focused atmosphere helps ensure that decisions and actions are made with the patients' best interests in mind. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while nurses, physicians, and families play essential roles in healthcare, when it comes to reducing risks, the primary focus should be on the patients themselves.

5. While interviewing for a position at City Hospital, the nurse asks about the organizational structure of the institution. She is told that the hospital is organized into departments based on specialty (e.g., nursing, dietary, pharmacy, etc.). Based on what you know about organizational structure, select the structure in this example.

• A. Parallel
• B. Functional
• C. Service-integrated
• D. Matrix

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Functional. In functional structures, employees are grouped into departments based on specialty, allowing individuals with similar skills and tasks to work together efficiently. In this scenario, organizing the hospital into departments such as nursing, dietary, and pharmacy based on their specialties exemplifies a functional organizational structure. Choice A, Parallel structure, involves independent units working on similar tasks, which is not the case here. Choice C, Service-integrated structure, emphasizes cross-functional teamwork across various departments, which is not the main focus in the scenario. Choice D, Matrix structure, involves employees reporting to multiple managers for different projects or tasks, which is not described in the scenario.

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