Exam 26: Managing Stress

A newly hired registered nurse is having difficulty focusing and performing nursing tasks. The nurse manager has noted a decrease in the nurse's performance. When meeting with the nurse, the manager learns the nurse has recently gotten married and moved into a new home. The client load in the unit has returned to normal levels from very high levels and the employment of another newly hired nurse was terminated for disruptive behavior. The nurse reports that "everyone has been so nice and they try to help me." Which situations are most likely causing this nurse's stress? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

During an annual performance review, the staff nurse admits to being very stressed by the demands of the job, marriage, and four teenage children. Which comment by the nurse manager is indicated?

A rural hospital has been at capacity for the past 3 months. The chief nursing officer (CNO) has heard numerous complaints from the nursing staff. Most of the complaints are issues related to other nursing departments and are minor. How should the CNO interpret these complaints?

A nurse manager notes that staff members are struggling with caring for an increased client load while a new management system is being implemented. What managerial action would help reduce this stress?

What are the warning signs of too much stress?

The unit nurses take turns filling the charge nurse role. Which statement reveals risk for development of role conflict in these nurses?

A charge nurse has been trying to please all the nurses, physicians, clients, and staff of the unit. This has caused considerable stress for this nurse. After a few days off, the nurse decides to manage the role differently. What has occurred to the nurse over these days off?

A nurse who has just returned from two weeks of time off following minor surgery says, "I'm so glad to be back to work. I'm sick of watching television. I can't believe I missed the stress here." What are possible explanations for this statement? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A nurse manager praises a staff nurse by saying, "You are such a perfectionist, and it clearly shows in your work." The supervisor who hears this praise is concerned for which reason?

A busy ICU unit has a high noise level. This frustrates the charge nurse in part because it is difficult to focus when entering physician's orders into the electronic medical record. Which would be the most appropriate action by the ICU nurse manager?

The nursing unit has experienced high stress and a higher than normal turnover rate. The manager asks a longtime member of the nursing staff to analyze the manager's job performance. What is most likely the reason for this request?

The hospital has elected to initiate a rotating 8-hour shift schedule. Which strategy, taken by the nurse manager, will help staff cope with the stress associated with this staffing pattern?

A nurse who had advanced to assistant nurse manager was demoted back to staff nurse last month. The manager gives the nurse low-acuity client assignments. The nurse is efficient, unhappy, and bored. The nurse's response is most likely related to which phenomena?

A staff nurse is late for work for the second time this week. When the manager mentions the tardiness, the nurse says, "I'm so sorry. I've just got so much going on with my impending wedding. I am so stressed." Which responses by the manager would help this nurse cope? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A medical-surgical nurse manager has received a complaint by a client regarding the noise level on the unit. The manager reviews the schedule and harshly reprimands the nursing staff who cared for the client. What is the evaluation of this manager's action?

The nurse manager asks a nurse to become a charge nurse, but then frequently questions the nurse's daily decisions. This situation reflects which problem that will increase the nurse's stress?

The chief nursing officer (CNO) recognizes a large increase in turnover on a given unit. The nurse manager of the unit says that this is just a coincidence and that the unit is "fine." What action by the CNO is appropriate?

A hospital has been acquired by a new management company. As part of this acquisition, several different types of equipment have been introduced into the client care area. How can the manager best plan to reduce the stress of using this equipment?

The supervisor of critical care services tells the unit manager, "We must cut costs, so I am asking you to arrange your day so that you provide care to two or three clients and cover for lunch and rest breaks. Also don't forget that your budget estimates are due next week, as are your preliminary schedules for the winter holidays." Two days later, the nurse manager is stressed and exhausted. What should the manager do? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A nurse manager is considering referring a nurse who is very stressed to the employee assistance program (EAP) offered by the institution. What does this consideration indicate?