Exam 6: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

To solve a problem,the nurse manager understands that the most important problem-solving step is:

Select the statement that best defines the difference between problem solving and decision making:

The risk manager informs the nurse manager of an orthopedic unit that her unit has had an increase in incident reports about patients falling during the 11-7 shift.The nurse manager knows that the best way to resolve the problem is to:

After the nurses who work on an adolescent psychiatric unit have had a brainstorming session,they are ready to resolve the problem of teenagers who are unmanageable.To maximize group effectiveness in decision making and problem solving,the nurse manager has:

The nurse manager of a rehab unit wants to purchase a new anti-embolic stocking.To make a high-quality decision,the nurse manager would:

During a fire drill,several psychiatric patients become agitated.The nurse manager quickly assigns a staff member to each patient.This autocratic decision style is most appropriate for:

Jane,an experienced head nurse,is given the task of completing the summer vacation schedule for the pediatric unit.She is fully aware of the hospital's restrictions on time off and the number of staff on vacation at any given time,as well as its issues regarding seniority.She weighs the options of allowing staff choice,such as it takes more time but gives employees options.However,if choice is allowed,this could cause arguments.Which of the following is the best alternative?

A good nursing decision maker is one who:

The clinic nurse understands that problem solving is best defined as:

An outpatient surgery manager is evaluating infusion pumps for the operating room.The manager should:

From the information supplied in this chapter,which statements best defines critical thinking? Critical thinking is a:

The risk manager wants to evaluate the reasons for an increased number of falls on the rehab unit.The risk manager devises a fishbone diagram.A fishbone diagram is a useful tool to:

Decision making is described by the nursing educator as the process one uses to:

The maintenance department wishes to have the nursing lounge renovated,so the lounge will be more "user-friendly." The department asks the nursing staff to make a wish list of everything that they would like to see in the new lounge.This process is an example of which part of the decision-making process?

Knowing when to have the entire team participate in the decision-making process or when to have only the team leader make the decisions depends upon the situation and the desired outcomes.The autocratic process is used in which of the following situations?

Justin is a nurse manager in a rehabilitation unit in a small urban center.There is a high turnover rate among rehab-assistants because of the heavy work assignments.Justin decides to hire new staff in the order that applications are received until all vacant positions are filled.Which of the following decision-making models did Justin use in making his decision?

When confronted with the controversy and the apparent poor morale of the evening staff,the unit manager decided the staff needed to take some time off.He scheduled holidays for the staff without consulting them.A couple of the staff nurses approached the manager and indicated that the problem was not scheduling,but rather the team leader and her patient assignments.What was the unit manager's first missed step in problem solving?

In a busy rehabilitation unit,the team manager decided that the best way to reward the staff was to give them a monetary bonus rather than time off.The staff was very concerned about the decision and went to the administration with a number of complaints.Critical thinking is a process that entails a number of steps.What steps did the manager omit? She should have

When decision making,critical thinking,and problem solving are considered,which of the following statements are accurate and valid points?

A clinic nurse has observed another nurse deviating from agency policy in performing wound care.The best approach for the clinic nurse to take is to: