Leadership and Management in Nursing Flashcards

A nurse manager notices that staff consistently skip the patient identification step before medication administration. The best management strategy is:

Answer: Conduct a root cause analysis and implement system-level safeguards

Root cause analysis identifies systemic factors contributing to errors, enabling system-level improvements that are more effective than individual blame.

Which of the following is an example of a 'never event' as defined by the National Quality Forum?

Answer: A surgical procedure performed on the wrong patient

Never events (serious reportable events) include wrong-patient, wrong-site, and wrong-procedure surgeries, which are entirely preventable.

A nurse is planning care for five patients. Using the concept of prioritization, which patient has the highest priority?

Answer: A patient with SpO2 of 88% on 2 L/min nasal cannula

An SpO2 of 88% represents dangerous hypoxemia requiring immediate intervention to maintain oxygenation.

A nurse is asked to float to the ICU but has never worked in that setting. The most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Accept the assignment after requesting orientation and appropriate supervision

Nurses should accept float assignments to areas where they have basic competency but must advocate for orientation, supervision, and appropriate patient assignments.

Which action by a nurse is an example of advocacy?

Answer: Informing a patient of their right to refuse a recommended procedure

Advocacy involves ensuring patients are informed of their rights and supported in exercising them, including the right to refuse treatment.

A newly licensed nurse is overwhelmed during a busy shift. What is the most appropriate action for the charge nurse to take?

Answer: Assess the new nurse's workload and offer to help reprioritize tasks

Supportive leadership involves assessing the situation and helping the new nurse prioritize effectively, promoting learning and ensuring patient safety.