Deck 7: Respectful Workplaces

Question 1

The following situations are all examples of unprofessional and disrespectful communication EXCEPT:

A) The physician rolling her eyes at a nurse asking a question about a patient's lab results
B) The student nurse laughing when a classmate makes a mistake during a simulated catheterization
C) The nurse asking for help from a colleague when completing a new task
D) The nurse manager telling a staff nurse to develop a thick skin when she complains about a doctor who yelled at her

Answer 1

The nurse asking for help from a colleague when completing a new task

Question 2

In workplaces where there is a pervasive lack of open, honest, and respectful dialogue among professionals, common consequences include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Substandard teamwork
B) More errors
C) Physical and psychological injuries to healthcare professionals
D) Increased overtime

Answer 2

Increased overtime

Question 3

Lateral or horizontal violence is aggression (active or passive) that takes place:

A) Among peers
B) Between doctors and nurses
C) Between administrative leaders and nurse assistants
D) All of the above

Answer 3

Among peers

Question 4

When compared to physicians, poor conduct by nurses tends to be more:

A) Aggressive
B) Passive
C) Passive-aggressive
D) Assertive
E) Both B and C

Question 5

The Joint Commission replaced the term disruptive behavior with:

A) Behaviors that seem abusive to nurses and patients
B) Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety
C) Behaviors that are inappropriate and unprofessional
D) Poor conduct among healthcare professionals

Question 6

All of the following statements suggest a tolerance of inappropriate behavior EXCEPT:

A) "He's been in surgery all day. No wonder he is grouchy."
B) "I don't appreciate your tone and want to discuss it."
C) "Hey, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
D) "She's one of those nurses that can't hack it in the real world."

Question 7

The Joint Commission's Sentinel Event Alert connects inappropriate behaviors by healthcare workers with:

A) Wasted costs
B) Poor patient outcomes
C) Loss of qualified staff
D) Interference with teamwork necessary to provide safe care
E) All of the above

Question 8

The prevalence of physical harm experienced by the healthcare workforce is:

A) Considerably higher than other industries
B) About the same as other industries
C) Slightly higher than firefighter statistics
D) Slightly lower than construction workers

Question 9

An environment of mutual respect is important for:

A) Making sure that staff arrive to work on time
B) The healthcare workforce to find joy and meaning in their work
C) To make teamwork possible
D) Both B and C

Question 10

The healthcare administrator's role in addressing abuse of healthcare workers by patients includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Ensure adequate staffing of clinicians
B) Listen respectfully to staff and patient concerns
C) Assume the patient is truthful in all investigations
D) Promote respectful and timely communication with patients and families
E) Maintain visible security staff

Question 11

Communication strategies that will help decrease abusive behavior include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Recognizing the signs of anger
B) Picking the battles that can be won
C) Being assertive
D) Listening respectfully
E) Giving and receiving feedback

Question 12

Which of the following are examples of common forms of lateral violence among nurses? Select all that apply.

A) Undermining activities
B) Withholding information
C) Poking a colleague's arm with an index finger
D) Standing in another's personal space
E) Nonverbal innuendo
F) Scapegoating
G) Sabotage

Question 13

Which of the following can contribute to negative interactions and relationships? Select all that apply.

A) Lack of awareness about the impact of one's behavior on others
B) Willingness to learn about the impact of one's behavior on others
C) Beliefs of superiority
D) Beliefs of inferiority
E) Power dynamics
F) Status differences
G) Compassion for others

Question 14

By definition, bullying involves single acts of aggression (passive or active).

Question 15

There may be treatment- or illness-related reasons that explain abusive behavior on the part of patients and families, and healthcare professionals should accept this as a risk of practice.

Question 16

Nurses, doctors, and all staff are precious resources and deserve to be supported in their work.

Question 17

Given the complications of human dynamics, it is important to remember that communication strategies that work well in one situation may not in another.

Question 18

Setting clear expectations for respectful behavior will be easier once respectful communication is the norm.