Chapter 18: Building Teams Through Communication and Partnerships

Chapter 18: Building Teams Through Communication and Partnerships

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A nurse manager is experiencing conflicts between herself and staff members. She had tried to develop a team by using a shared leadership model to empower the staff. Staff members are functioning:

a.	As a team.
b.	Independently.
c.	Interdependently.
d.	As a group.

 

ANS:   D

A group is a collection of interconnected individuals working together for the same purpose. A team is a unified group that is committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach, for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. The conflict indicates that the staff may not be united in a common purpose.

 

REF:    Pages 346, 347

TOP:    AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

 

2. 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:

a.	Conflict.
b.	Task clarity.
c.	Commitment.
d.	A designated leader.

 

ANS:   C

Team-building involves moving toward a common vision, which requires commitment. Conflict and clarification of tasks are components in the development of this commitment.

 

REF:    Pages 347, 348                        TOP:    AONE competency: Leadership

 

3. A mediator suggested that the nurse manager and staff members decide on a method to resolve conflicts. It is important to have agreements about how team members will work together because:

a.	If there are no agreements, each member will make up his or her own procedures without consensus.
b.	People are naturally difficult and will not work well together without such agreements.
c.	People will naturally ask for agreements about how to be together.
d.	A way to eliminate nonproductive team members must be available.

 

ANS:   A

It is important to establish team norms (how the team will function). Some of the rules will center around communications and how team members will treat one another, how conflict will be handled, and the decision-making process.

 

REF:    Pages 363, 364                        TOP:    AONE competency: Professionalism

 

4. By following a shared leadership model, the nurse manager believes that staff members will learn to function synergistically. Some teams function synergistically because members:

a.	Do not volunteer unwanted information.
b.	Actively listen to each other.
c.	Listen to the person who believes he or she is an expert.
d.	Do not speak unless they are absolutely sure they are correct in their views.

 

ANS:   B

Active listening in a group creates synergy in that team members really hear one another’s ideas and share in decision making.

 

REF:    Page 360         TOP:    AONE competency: Professionalism

 

5. 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:

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.

 

ANS:   C

Fear of not being able to manage consequences undermines confidence and a sense of competency.

 

REF:    Pages 366, 367                        TOP:    AONE competency: Professionalism