which of the following describes an effective method of communication

HESI RN

HESI Leadership and Management

1. Which of the following describes an effective method of communication?

A. A unit manager meets with a new nurse to discuss what is going well and areas for improvement.
B. A unit manager meets with a new nurse to explain departmental policies.
C. A unit manager meets with staff after several safety events to introduce new policies aimed at preventing further safety events.
D. A unit manager describes safety events that have occurred on the unit to another nurse manager and discusses ideas for policy improvement with the other manager.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer because it describes an effective method of communication where a unit manager meets with a new nurse to discuss what is going well and areas for improvement. This approach fosters open dialogue, provides constructive feedback, and promotes professional growth. Choice B is incorrect as it only involves the explanation of departmental policies without engaging in a two-way communication process. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on policy introduction after safety events rather than individual feedback. Choice D is incorrect as it involves discussing safety events with another manager and policy improvement, but it does not directly address individual performance feedback, which is essential for effective communication and professional development.

2. Which of the following best defines management?

A. A manager is someone who ensures that employees complete their work.
B. A manager controls the work of employees.
C. A manager organizes and controls a group of employees to get work done.
D. A manager accomplishes tasks through planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling work groups.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The best definition of management encompasses the comprehensive process of planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling work groups to achieve organizational goals. Choice A is too limited, focusing only on ensuring work completion. Choice B is overly restrictive as management involves more than mere control. Choice C is more specific than the correct answer, which encompasses a broader range of managerial functions.

3. Nurse Ruth is assessing a client after a thyroidectomy. The assessment reveals muscle twitching and tingling, along with numbness in the fingers, toes, and mouth area. The nurse should suspect which complication?

A. Tetany
B. Hemorrhage
C. Thyroid storm
D. Laryngeal nerve damage

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Tetany.' Tetany is characterized by muscle twitching, tingling, and numbness, which are indicative of hypocalcemia. After a thyroidectomy, accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands can lead to decreased calcium levels, resulting in tetany. Choice B, 'Hemorrhage,' is incorrect as it typically presents with symptoms such as sudden swelling, increased pain, or drop in blood pressure. Choice C, 'Thyroid storm,' is incorrect as it involves a sudden exacerbation of hyperthyroidism, leading to symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and confusion. Choice D, 'Laryngeal nerve damage,' is incorrect as it would manifest with voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or respiratory distress, not the symptoms described in the scenario.

4. A new nurse is working hard to follow the established procedures on the unit and is focusing on being as efficient as possible. Which of the following best describes this nurse’s behavior?

A. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of efficiency, which involves following established procedures to complete tasks in the most effective way possible.
B. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of task orientation, which focuses on completing tasks efficiently without necessarily considering the impact on patient care.
C. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of patient-centered care, which focuses on providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences and needs.
D. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of transformational leadership, which involves inspiring and motivating others to achieve a higher level of performance.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The nurse is demonstrating the concept of efficiency by following established procedures to complete tasks effectively. Efficiency in healthcare involves optimizing processes and resources to achieve the best outcomes. Choice B is incorrect as task orientation refers to focusing on task completion without considering broader aspects like patient care. Choice C is incorrect as patient-centered care emphasizes individual patient needs and preferences rather than operational efficiency. Choice D is incorrect as transformational leadership involves inspiring and motivating others, not specifically related to task efficiency.

5. A nurse caring for a group of clients reviews the electrolyte laboratory results and notes a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L on one client's laboratory report. The nurse understands that which client is at highest risk for the development of a potassium value at this level?

A. The client with colitis
B. The client with Cushing's syndrome
C. The client who has been overusing laxatives
D. The client who has sustained a traumatic burn

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Clients who have sustained traumatic burns are at a higher risk of developing hyperkalemia due to cell lysis. When cells are damaged in a traumatic burn, potassium can leak out from the intracellular space into the bloodstream, leading to elevated serum potassium levels. Colitis, Cushing's syndrome, and overuse of laxatives are not typically associated with the same degree of cell damage or potassium shifts seen in traumatic burns, making them less likely to result in such high potassium levels.