Professional Nursing Roles and Responsibilities
Professional Nursing Roles and Responsibilities ( 5 Questions)
A nurse witnesses a coworker making derogatory remarks about a patient's ethnicity. What action should the nurse take to uphold professionalism and promote a respectful work environment?
Ignoring the coworker’s remarks and focusing on personal tasks is not the best course of action. This approach may allow the coworker to continue making inappropriate comments, which can create a hostile work environment and negatively impact patient care. It is important for healthcare professionals to uphold a respectful and inclusive environment for all patients and staff members. Ignoring such behavior can be seen as passive acceptance, which can perpetuate the issue.
Reporting the incident to the supervisor or appropriate authority is the correct action. This approach ensures that the issue is addressed at an organizational level and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future. It is the responsibility of all staff members to report any form of discrimination or harassment. By reporting the incident, the nurse is upholding professional standards and promoting a respectful work environment.
Confronting the coworker directly about their inappropriate behavior can be a risky approach. While it is important to address the issue, confronting the coworker without involving a supervisor or appropriate authority may escalate the situation or lead to further conflict. It is generally more effective to report the incident to a supervisor or appropriate authority who can address the issue in a formal and structured manner.
Laughing along with the coworker’s remarks to avoid confrontation is not an appropriate response. This behavior can be seen as endorsing or encouraging the coworker’s inappropriate comments. It is important for healthcare professionals to promote a respectful and inclusive environment for all patients and staff members. Laughing at derogatory remarks can contribute to a hostile work environment and is not in line with professional standards.
The correct answer is Choice B.
Choice A rationale: Ignoring the coworker’s remarks and focusing on personal tasks is not the best course of action. This approach may allow the coworker to continue making inappropriate comments, which can create a hostile work environment and negatively impact patient care. It is important for healthcare professionals to uphold a respectful and inclusive environment for all patients and staff members. Ignoring such behavior can be seen as passive acceptance, which can perpetuate the issue.
Choice B rationale: Reporting the incident to the supervisor or appropriate authority is the correct action. This approach ensures that the issue is addressed at an organizational level and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future. It is the responsibility of all staff members to report any form of discrimination or harassment. By reporting the incident, the nurse is upholding professional standards and promoting a respectful work environment.
Choice C rationale: Confronting the coworker directly about their inappropriate behavior can be a risky approach. While it is important to address the issue, confronting the coworker without involving a supervisor or appropriate authority may escalate the situation or lead to further conflict. It is generally more effective to report the incident to a supervisor or appropriate authority who can address the issue in a formal and structured manner.
Choice D rationale: Laughing along with the coworker’s remarks to avoid confrontation is not an appropriate response. This behavior can be seen as endorsing or encouraging the coworker’s inappropriate comments. It is important for healthcare professionals to promote a respectful and inclusive environment for all patients and staff members. Laughing at derogatory remarks can contribute to a hostile work environment and is not in line with professional standards.