Fundamentals of Nursing Q 367
A client with chronic pain reports to you, the charge nurse, that the nurse has not been responding to requests for pain medication. What is your initial action?
A. Check the MARs and nurses’ notes for the past several days.
B. Ask the nurse educator to give an in-service about pain management.
C. Perform a complete pain assessment and history on the client.
D. Have a conference with the nurses responsible for the care of this client.
Correct Answer: D. Have a conference with the nurses responsible for the care of this client.
As a charge nurse, you must assess the performance and attitude of the staff in relation to this client. Handling conflicts in an efficient and effective manner results in improved quality, patient safety, and staff morale, and limits work stress for the caregiver. The nurse manager must approach this challenge thoughtfully because it involves working relationships that are critical for the unit to function effectively.
Option A: After gathering data from the nurses, additional information from the records and the client can be obtained as necessary. Effective resolution and management of a conflict require clear communication and a level of understanding of the perceived areas of disagreement. Conflict resolution is an essential element of a healthy work environment because a breakdown in communication and collaboration can lead to increased patient errors.
Option B: The educator may be of assistance if knowledge deficit or need for performance improvement is the problem. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses standards for healthy work environments recognizes the importance of proficiency in communication skills and The Joint Commission’s revised leadership standards place a mandate on healthcare leadership to manage disruptive behavior that can impact patient safety.
Option C: Nursing leaders need to assess how nurses deal with conflict in the healthcare environment in an effort to develop and implement conflict management training and processes that can assist them in dealing with difficult situations.