CPNRE Collaborative Practice and Teamwork 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PN is receiving a verbal handoff report from an outgoing nurse. Which action best ensures safe continuity of care?
- Listen without asking questions to save time
- Use a structured communication tool such as SBAR and ask clarifying questions (Correct answer)
- Review only the medication administration record and skip the verbal report
- Accept the report and begin care without verifying unclear information
Correct answer: Use a structured communication tool such as SBAR and ask clarifying questions
Structured handoff tools like SBAR reduce communication errors and ensure critical information is accurately transferred between providers.
Question 2: A PN observes a colleague behaving in a way that may be impaired during a shift. What is the priority action?
- Ignore the behaviour to avoid conflict with the colleague
- Address client safety immediately by notifying the charge nurse or supervisor (Correct answer)
- Complete the shift and report the concern the following day
- Confront the colleague privately in a patient room
Correct answer: Address client safety immediately by notifying the charge nurse or supervisor
Client safety is the priority, and suspected impairment must be reported to a supervisor immediately to protect clients and the colleague.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the concept of mutual respect in interprofessional collaboration?
- Agreeing with all decisions made by the most senior team member
- Valuing each team member's unique expertise and contribution regardless of role (Correct answer)
- Limiting communication to formal written documentation only
- Deferring all clinical decisions to the physician
Correct answer: Valuing each team member's unique expertise and contribution regardless of role
Mutual respect in collaboration means recognizing and valuing the distinct knowledge each profession brings to client care.
Question 4: A client with complex needs is being transitioned from hospital to a community setting. Which team member should the PN collaborate with to coordinate ongoing services?
- The hospital administrator
- The social worker or case manager (Correct answer)
- The laboratory technician
- The hospital security team
Correct answer: The social worker or case manager
Social workers and case managers specialize in coordinating community resources and services during care transitions.
Question 5: A PN and a respiratory therapist disagree about a client's oxygen therapy plan. What is the best resolution strategy?
- The PN should proceed with nursing judgment alone
- Both professionals should discuss the issue and involve the physician if needed to reach consensus (Correct answer)
- The respiratory therapist's decision always takes precedence for breathing issues
- Document the disagreement and take no further action
Correct answer: Both professionals should discuss the issue and involve the physician if needed to reach consensus
Interprofessional disagreements are best resolved through respectful discussion, escalating to the physician when consensus cannot be reached.
Question 6: A client tells the PN they feel their concerns are being ignored by the medical team. What is the PN's most appropriate response?
- Tell the client to raise the concern directly with administration only
- Acknowledge the client's feelings and advocate by communicating concerns to the team on the client's behalf (Correct answer)
- Reassure the client that the team always knows best
- Document the statement and take no further action
Correct answer: Acknowledge the client's feelings and advocate by communicating concerns to the team on the client's behalf
Advocacy is a core nursing role; PNs must communicate clients' concerns to the team and ensure clients feel heard and supported.
Question 7: During a code situation, the team leader assigns a specific task to the PN. The PN is unsure how to perform it. What should the PN do?
- Attempt the task without disclosure to avoid slowing the team down
- Immediately inform the team leader that they need assistance or a task reassignment (Correct answer)
- Leave the bedside to consult a policy manual
- Perform a different task without informing the leader
Correct answer: Immediately inform the team leader that they need assistance or a task reassignment
In emergency situations, disclosing limitations immediately allows the team leader to reassign tasks quickly and maintain safe client care.
CPNRE Collaborative Practice and Teamwork 5
A PN is receiving a verbal handoff report from an outgoing nurse.
Which action best ensures safe continuity of care?