The manager of a medical-surgical unit is very task-motivated. Using Fiedler's Contingency Theory, under what circumstances would the manager be most effective?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to Fiedler's Contingency Theory, task-motivated leaders are most effective in highly structured situations. This is because in such environments, the leader can focus on task accomplishment and clearly defined goals without needing to rely heavily on interpersonal relationships. In contrast, in loosely structured situations, task-motivated leaders may struggle as the lack of clear direction and ambiguity can hinder their task-oriented approach. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Choices A and B are incorrect as they focus on stress levels, which are not directly related to the effectiveness of task-motivated leaders. Choice D is incorrect because loosely structured situations are not ideal for task-motivated leaders according to Fiedler's theory.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Client. In a continuous quality improvement program, the primary focus should be on improving the quality of care and services provided to the clients or patients. This ensures that their needs and preferences are met, resulting in better outcomes. A focus on the family (A) or healthcare providers like nurses (C) and physicians (D) may be important, but the ultimate goal of a quality improvement program is to enhance the client's experience and well-being. By prioritizing the client, the program can address issues directly affecting them and tailor improvements to meet their specific needs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using barcoding technology for medication administration. This strategy is most effective for reducing medication errors because it helps ensure the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time. Barcoding technology allows nurses to scan both the patient's wristband and the medication label to verify accuracy before administration, reducing the risk of errors due to human factors. A: Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio may help with workload distribution but does not directly address medication errors. B: Providing ongoing education is important but may not be as effective as implementing technological solutions like barcoding. D: Increasing the use of PRN medications may actually increase the risk of errors if not managed properly. In summary, using barcoding technology for medication administration is the most effective strategy as it directly addresses the root cause of medication errors by ensuring accurate medication administration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide individualized care. Clinical pathways aim to offer a structured approach to patient care while allowing customization based on individual patient needs. By providing a standardized outline of care steps, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to meet each patient's unique circumstances. This promotes more personalized and effective care delivery. Incorrect choices: A: Reduce hospital readmissions - Clinical pathways may help in reducing readmissions, but this is not their primary purpose. B: Standardize care - While clinical pathways do standardize care to some extent, their main goal is to individualize care based on patient needs. D: Streamline care processes - While clinical pathways can streamline care processes, the primary focus is on providing individualized care rather than solely on process efficiency.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encouraging innovation. Transformational leadership involves inspiring and motivating followers to think creatively, embrace change, and strive for continuous improvement. By encouraging innovation, transformational leaders empower their team to challenge the status quo, adapt to new situations, and drive growth and success. This approach fosters a culture of creativity and openness to new ideas, leading to organizational transformation and long-term success. Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect: A: Maintaining the status quo goes against the essence of transformational leadership, which is about driving change and growth. C: Focus on short-term goals is more aligned with transactional leadership, where the emphasis is on achieving immediate results rather than long-term vision and innovation. D: Top-down communication is characteristic of traditional, hierarchical leadership styles, whereas transformational leadership emphasizes open and collaborative communication to inspire and engage followers.