C HAPTER 21: M ANAGING P ERSONAL AND
P ERSONNEL P ROBLEMS
Yoder-Wise: Leading and Managing in Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The unit manager on 4E is concerned about the performance of Jean, a
staff nurse. She is not involved directl y with Jean, so she has not been
able to determine whether the problem is one of motivation, abilit y, or
both. If Jean lacks abilit y, which of the following strategies might the
head nurse use?
a. Dismiss or transfer Jean.
b. Document all problem areas and then discuss them with J ean.
c. Develop appropriate solutions and make recommendations to human
resources.
d. Smooth over the problems if they are minor in nature.
ANS: B
For the employee to change and grow, specific corrective measures
need to be taken. Consultation with the employe e is necessary, and
documentation is key to determining the issues.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
,2. Nurses generall y experience difficult y in identifying behaviors and
actions that could signal chemical dependency in a co -worker. Which of
the following is not a behavioral change that occurs with chemical
dependency?
a. Personalit y and behavioral changes
b. Job performance changes
c. Changes in educational involvement and pursuit
d. Absenteeism
ANS: C
A manager needs to be alerted when suspicions of chemical d ependency
are raised by behavioral changes in the employee. These include mood
swings, changes in hygiene and appearance, heightened interest in the
pain control of patients, frequent changes in shifts, increases in
absenteeism, and increases in tardiness.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
3. Nurse Stacey is a self -admitted drug addict and has been a heavy abuser of
codeine. Stacey and the unit manager decide that changes have to occur.
Stacey enrolls in an addiction program, and the manager has her
transferred to a drug -free area. What other strategies might be
appropriate?
a. The manager could refer Stacey to the human resources department.
b. The manager could assist in monitoring Stacey ’s progress.
c. The manager could counsel Stacey if Stacey has formed a tru sting
relationship with her.
d. Stacey needs to be asked not to involve her famil y in the recovery
program because this is a work -related situation.
, ANS: B
Effective management demands that the organization take an active
role in helping employees with spec ial needs. Humanistic strategies
that counsel and assist employees are cost -effective and necessary.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
4. Incivilit y is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a
negative environment and interferes with qualit y patient care and safet y.
The manager can implement steps that help to alleviate uncivil behavior
on a unit. Which of the following would not be an appropriate first step?
a. Suspending the staff member from work
b. Providing written admonishment that is discus sed and placed in the
employee’s file
c. Providing verbal admonishment
d. Terminating the staff member
ANS: D
Dismissal does not enable the present organization to attempt
remediation of the behavior and is not consistent with first steps in
progressive discipline.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
5. Incivilit y is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a
negative environment and interferes with qualit y patient care and safet y.
P ERSONNEL P ROBLEMS
Yoder-Wise: Leading and Managing in Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The unit manager on 4E is concerned about the performance of Jean, a
staff nurse. She is not involved directl y with Jean, so she has not been
able to determine whether the problem is one of motivation, abilit y, or
both. If Jean lacks abilit y, which of the following strategies might the
head nurse use?
a. Dismiss or transfer Jean.
b. Document all problem areas and then discuss them with J ean.
c. Develop appropriate solutions and make recommendations to human
resources.
d. Smooth over the problems if they are minor in nature.
ANS: B
For the employee to change and grow, specific corrective measures
need to be taken. Consultation with the employe e is necessary, and
documentation is key to determining the issues.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
,2. Nurses generall y experience difficult y in identifying behaviors and
actions that could signal chemical dependency in a co -worker. Which of
the following is not a behavioral change that occurs with chemical
dependency?
a. Personalit y and behavioral changes
b. Job performance changes
c. Changes in educational involvement and pursuit
d. Absenteeism
ANS: C
A manager needs to be alerted when suspicions of chemical d ependency
are raised by behavioral changes in the employee. These include mood
swings, changes in hygiene and appearance, heightened interest in the
pain control of patients, frequent changes in shifts, increases in
absenteeism, and increases in tardiness.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
3. Nurse Stacey is a self -admitted drug addict and has been a heavy abuser of
codeine. Stacey and the unit manager decide that changes have to occur.
Stacey enrolls in an addiction program, and the manager has her
transferred to a drug -free area. What other strategies might be
appropriate?
a. The manager could refer Stacey to the human resources department.
b. The manager could assist in monitoring Stacey ’s progress.
c. The manager could counsel Stacey if Stacey has formed a tru sting
relationship with her.
d. Stacey needs to be asked not to involve her famil y in the recovery
program because this is a work -related situation.
, ANS: B
Effective management demands that the organization take an active
role in helping employees with spec ial needs. Humanistic strategies
that counsel and assist employees are cost -effective and necessary.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
4. Incivilit y is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a
negative environment and interferes with qualit y patient care and safet y.
The manager can implement steps that help to alleviate uncivil behavior
on a unit. Which of the following would not be an appropriate first step?
a. Suspending the staff member from work
b. Providing written admonishment that is discus sed and placed in the
employee’s file
c. Providing verbal admonishment
d. Terminating the staff member
ANS: D
Dismissal does not enable the present organization to attempt
remediation of the behavior and is not consistent with first steps in
progressive discipline.
TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills
5. Incivilit y is a disruptive behavior or communication that creates a
negative environment and interferes with qualit y patient care and safet y.
