Chapter 12: Creating and Sustaining a Healthy Work Environment

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A group of nurses are working on an obstetrical unit and are discussing how the Nurses’ Bill of Rights can be incorporated into the day-to-day operations of the nursing unit. Which suggestion could be implemented that would reflect compliance?

1. Protocols on nursing unit are based on physician preference.

2. Nurses act as patient advocates.

3. Compensation for work is based on personal preference recommendations of management.

4. Nurses are not involved in collective bargaining conversations.

ANS:

2. Which action would contribute to nurse fatigue in a staff nurse who is working a 12-hour shift on a medical unit and who has been assigned to take care of five patients based on a primary care model?

1. Eating lunch meal at the nurse’s station while answering unit phone

2. Leaving the unit on time at the end of the scheduled shift

3. Nurse does not sign up for additional shifts to cover unit vacancies

4. Nurse states she typically sleeps 8 hours a night

ANS:

3. Which situation would constitute an example of “bullying” in the nursing environment?

1. The nurse manager instructs a member of the nursing staff in a better way to perform a nursing task.

2. The unit secretary repeatedly talks to nurses and staff in a rude manner.

3. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on the unit continues to make jokes about another staff member in the presence of others as well as when alone in the staff member’s presence.

4. The nurse on the unit gossips about another staff nurse on the unit.

ANS:

4. A nurse observes a nurse and patient having a loud conversation. The nurse is yelling at the patient and is pointing a raised finger at the patient stating that “he’d better behave.” How would the nurse who is observing this interaction categorize this type of behavior in terms of violence?

1. Lateral

2. Third party

3. Vertical

4. Horizontal

ANS:

5. Which action supported by current research contributes to the existence of workplace violence in the clinical setting?

1. Most nurses report incidents that have occurred without fear of retaliation.

2. Nurses are more aware of the likelihood that workplace violence will occur.

3. There are strong organizational support and zero tolerance policies for bullying.

4. There is no support from administration.

ANS:

6. A nursing staff are being educated on methods to prevent workplace violence from occurring on the nursing unit. Which statement by a nursing staff member indicates that adequate instruction has been provided?

1. “I will work on maintaining a culture of incivility.”

2. “The responsibility for whether or not workplace violence occurs rests with management.”

3. “I will remain accountable for all of my behaviors and actions while working on the nursing unit.”

4. “I will keep to myself and focus only on my immediate environment while at work.”

ANS:

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

7. Which situations would help to promote a healthy work environment in the clinical setting? Select all that apply.

1. Staff nurses complain of fatigue with having to work additional hours.

2. The nurse manager has received complaints of bullying occurring on the unit arising from one staff member.

3. Nurses perceive that a culture of psychological safety exists on the nursing unit.

4. Staff adhere to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Nurses’ Bill of Rights as part of nursing unit policy.

5. Staff feel that their efforts are valued by management.

ANS:

8. Which actions should nurse leaders and managers take that would foster a healthy work environment in the clinical setting? Select all that apply.

1. Identify specific roles and responsibilities of nursing staff with narrow functions.

2. Limit availability of continuing education resources available for nursing staff.

3. Create a multidisciplinary team approach to manage and deliver patient care.

4. Only involve charge nurses and nurse managers in clinical decision making.

5. Encourage staff to attain additional certification in their chosen specialty area.

ANS:

9. What factors would help to prevent injury to nurses involved with delivery of patient care? Select all that apply.

1. Support of a “no lift” policy in the clinical facility

2. Using body mechanics properly in every lift, transfer, or positioning activity

3. Adequate staffing on units

4. Focus on manual handling as the primary method to lift, transfer, or position patients

5. Employment of ergonomic techniques

ANS: