Exam 25: Managing Personal and Personnel Problems

Susan, a new graduate, is upset that so many staff have been absent lately from the unit.She declares to you that all absenteeism could be eliminated with proper management.Your response is based on understanding that:

The most important approach that a nurse manager can take with an emotionally troubled employee is to:

Before terminating an employee, a nurse manager must:

The unit manager on 4E is concerned about the performance of Jean, a staff nurse.She is not involved directly with Jean, so she has not been able to determine whether the problem is one of motivation, ability, or both.If Jean lacks ability, which of the following strategies might the head nurse use?

The unit manager discusses absenteeism with the unit clerk.She indicates that it is a serious problem on the unit.Which of the following points would they have likely discussed?

A nurse manager must be familiar with the agency's policies regarding termination.Termination procedures include which of the following?

Clinical incompetence is one of the more serious problems facing a nurse manager.Joyce, the nurse manager, is not aware of the problems of Sarah, a novice nurse.After she investigates, it is obvious that Sarah's peers are covering for her.Which of the following might Joyce include in her meeting with the nurses? (Select all that apply.)

Incivility is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a negative environment and interferes with quality patient care and safety.The manager can implement steps that help to alleviate uncivil behavior on a unit.Which of the following would not be an appropriate first step?

A nurse manager understands that the second step in handling an employee with a disciplinary problem is to document the incident.Which of the following is best for documentation of personnel problems?

The chief nursing officer reviews the policy about "progressive discipline process." The progressive discipline process includes which of the following? The manager:

During unit staff meetings, you observe that Marg rolls her eyes and snorts whenever Julia makes a comment.Your first response as a unit manager is to:

Incivility is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a negative environment and interferes with quality patient care and safety.The manager can implement the following steps that help to alleviate uncivil behavior on a unit.(A) Suspending the staff member from work, (B) Providing written admonishment that is discussed and placed in the employee's file, (C) Providing verbal admonishment, (D) Terminating the staff member

The education consultant for the hospital is presenting a workshop titled "Documentation: A Manager's Responsibility." Which of the following points would she not include in her PowerPoint presentation? Documentation:

All of the following are grounds for immediate dismissal except:

Ellen is a novice nurse on your unit.Even though she has come to you highly recommended, as her supervisor, you have noticed some knowledge and skill deficiencies.These deficiencies have been noticed by her peers as well, who cover for her because she is new and they like her.Which of the following is likely to be the greatest asset to Ellen in improving her performance?

The nursing director calls a meeting with one of the new unit managers.She is very concerned about a report of substance abuse on the manager's unit, and she reviews the procedures involved in dealing with chemically dependent staff.Which of the following statements would NOT be included in the discussion? "As a manager, you:

Nurses generally experience difficulty in identifying behaviors and actions that could signal chemical dependency in a co-worker.Which of the following is not a behavioral change that occurs with chemical dependency?

Nathan has been on the cardiac unit for 6 months and has found it difficult to adjust to the expectations of his team.Which of the following behaviors would most likely signal that Nathan is intending to resign from his position on the unit?

The chief nursing officer understands that clinical incompetence is best prevented by a(n):

When progressive discipline is used, the steps are followed progressively only for repeated infractions of the same rule.On some occasions, rules that are broken are so serious that the employee is: