Question 1

Sally (RN)and Melissa (RN)have shared an ongoing conflict since the first day that Melissa worked on the unit.Sally has confided to another colleague that she doesn't even know why the conflict started or what it was about.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  How expectations and objectives need to be made clear in team situations.
B)  The need to encourage open discussion of disagreements in opinions.
C)  The importance of involving all staff in discussions in group settings.
D)  The enduring nature of first impressions. D

Question 2

Which of the following would not be a characteristic of an effective team nurse leader?

Accepted Answer

A)  An autocratic perspective
B)  Excellent communication skills
C)  Awareness of everyone's abilities
D)  A genuine interest in team members A

Question 3

The nurse manager was upset with the staff nurse and said,"You did not understand what I said." Which element in the communication process was she referring to?

Accepted Answer

A)  Feedback between receiver and sender
B)  A message channel
C)  A receiver who decodes the message
D)  A set of barriers that may occur between sender and receiver D

Question 4

After staff meetings lately,Sharon,the head nurse,observes her staff in small groups,having animated discussions that end abruptly when she approaches.Sharon reflects on this observation and realizes that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Two very outspoken members tend to dominate discussions in meetings.
B)  This behavior is indicative of a high level of communication among her staff.
C)  Staff members are very committed to the team and have strong opinions.
D)  Ongoing discussion outside of meetings is conducive to creativity.

Question 5

From the information presented in this chapter,which of the following statements best defines an accomplished team? Effective teams:

Accepted Answer

A)  Can create a form of synergism in which the outcome is greater than the sum of the individual performances.
B)  Do not necessarily need goals, objectives, vision, and a clearly stated purpose.
C)  Do not always have effective communication patterns.
D)  May or may not have a clear plan that is followed and revisited and has an ongoing evaluation scheme.

Question 6

Team Member A and Team Member B engage in heated disagreements on a frequent basis in team meetings.Their behavior is characterized by insistence on their points of view and refusal to back down or to negotiate alternative solutions once their ideas have been expressed.This behavior is characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

A)  Autocratic leadership.
B)  Constructive conflict.
C)  Dualism.
D)  Creativity.

Question 7

The mediator asked each staff member to reflect on his or her communication style.Which of the following best describes communication? Communication:

Accepted Answer

A)  Is a reflection of self-analysis.
B)  Is a result of thoughtful consideration.
C)  Consists of thoughts, ideas, opinions, emotions, and feelings.
D)  Focuses on the sender of the message.

Question 8

Trust is an important aspect of helping relationships,therapeutic communications,and the positive communications model.Which statement does not involve or define trust? Trust:

Accepted Answer

A)  Involves decisions to manipulate situations to gain advantage over another.
B)  Is the basis by which leaders facilitate the activities and progress of a team.
C)  Is low among members and leaders in poorly performing teams.
D)  Involves what we say and not necessarily what we do.

Question 9

"I really wish that my supervisor would realize and acknowledge all the things I do well." In nursing,this has been identified as a problem.Which statement is part of the solution? Focus on:

Accepted Answer

A)  New staff.
B)  Care assignments with which the individual is not familiar.
C)  Making corrections.
D)  The strengths of the individual rather than the weaknesses.

Question 10

In the cardiac intensive care unit,there has been simmering discontent about the new nurse manager,who avoids any discussion about her scheduling and practice decisions.The staff have begun to sort into "different camps" depending on how they feel about the manager or the decisions.Which of the following statements MOST accurately describes this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tension that has been generated will result in creative solutions.
B)  Staff will become a cohesive group that takes a stand against the manager.
C)  The conflict will result in increased dialogue about practice and scheduling options.
D)  Patient care may suffer because attention and energy is being diverted toward the unit relationships.

Question 11

As the nurse manager on a rehab unit,you are asked to come to the tub room immediately because two nursing assistants are having a loud disagreement in front of a patient.You ask the nursing assistants to meet you outside and after ensuring that a third nursing assistant is able to care for the patient,you speak with the two nursing assistants.Which of the following would you ask first?

Accepted Answer

A)  "How long have you two been working together?"
B)  "Have you experienced disagreements like this before?"
C)  "How do you think this patient's perception of her care has been changed?"
D)  "What happened to bring on this disagreement today?"

Question 12

The nurse manager used a mediator to help resolve conflicts on the unit.During the mediation process,the nurse manager saw signs of potential team-building.One key concept of an effective team is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Conflict.
B)  Task clarity.
C)  Commitment.
D)  A designated leader.

Question 13

The mediator noticed that tension was still evident between the nurse manager and staff members.He informed the chief nursing officer that to begin team-building,it would be important that everyone:

Accepted Answer

A)  Work together in a respectful, civil manner.
B)  Use avoidance techniques when confronted with a conflict.
C)  Develop a personal friendship with each other.
D)  Socialize frequently outside of work.

Question 14

The state of being emotionally impelled,demonstrated by a sense of passion and dedication to a project or event,describes:

Accepted Answer

A)  Commitment.
B)  Control.
C)  Willingness to cooperate.
D)  Communication.

Question 15

What is not a key concept in a well-functioning team?

Accepted Answer

A)  Absence of disagreement or conflict
B)  Special work that is understood and supported by all
C)  Willingness to work together respectfully
D)  Dedication to a mission

Question 16

The SBAR system of communications is one of the most used communication systems in health care because:

Accepted Answer

A)  It deals with all aspects of communications in patient care except communication with the physician.
B)  The nurse is on the same communication level as administration.
C)  It honors a familiar, structured transfer of information among health professionals.
D)  It honors an unstructured transfer of information.

Question 17

You are charged with developing a new nursing curriculum and are committed to developing a curriculum that reflects the needs of the profession and of the workplace.To address deficits that may already be present in nursing curricula related to the workplace,you include more content and skills development related to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Therapeutic communication with patients.
B)  Effective communication in the workplace.
C)  Increased emphasis on sender-receiver dyads.
D)  Generational differences in communication.

Question 18

The chief nursing officer decided that the nurse managers need a series of staff development programs on team-building through communication and partnerships.She understood that the nurse managers needed to build confidence in ways of handling various situations.The greatest deterrent to confidence is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Lack of clarity in the mission.
B)  Lack of control of the environment.
C)  Fear that one can't handle the consequences.
D)  Fear that the boss will not like one's work.

Question 19

The mediator suggested to the unit staff that a group agreement needed to be made so meetings could become productive.For example,the group agreement,"We will speak supportively," prevents:

Accepted Answer

A)  Expression of opposing ideas.
B)  Gossip and making negative comments about absent team members.
C)  Efforts to ensure that everyone thinks alike.
D)  Votes that oppose motions.

Question 20

The staff development educator developed strategies to help nurse managers actively listen.Guidelines for active listening include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Speed up your internal processes so that you can process more data.
B)  Realize that the first words of the sender are the most important.
C)  Be prepared to make an effective judgment of the communication sender.
D)  Cultivate a desire to learn about the other person.

Exam 18: Building Teams Through Communication and Partnerships

Sally (RN) and Melissa (RN) have shared an ongoing conflict since the first day that Melissa worked on the unit.Sally has confided to another colleague that she doesn't even know why the conflict started or what it was about.This is an example of: