What is typically the first sign that a healthcare professional with a substance abuse problem will exhibit?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Denial. When healthcare professionals have substance abuse problems, denial is often the initial sign they exhibit. Denial involves minimizing or refusing to acknowledge the issue, making it difficult to recognize and address the substance abuse problem. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Avoidance, bargaining, and regression are not typically the first signs displayed by healthcare professionals with substance abuse problems. By identifying denial early on, healthcare professionals can take the necessary steps to seek help and overcome substance abuse issues.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coaching. Coaching involves providing guidance and support to help an employee enhance their performance. It focuses on developing skills, addressing weaknesses, and achieving professional growth. Mentoring (choice C) involves guiding and nurturing a less experienced individual. Peer reviewing (choice D) is when colleagues evaluate the performance of their peers. Disciplining (choice B) refers to taking corrective actions in response to policy violations or performance issues.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The statement exemplifies a recency error. Recency error occurs when a manager assesses an employee's performance primarily based on recent events, rather than considering the entire evaluation period. In this case, the staff nurse feels that her manager focused only on recent examples, leading to an incomplete assessment of her overall performance. Choice B, Leniency error, refers to a rater consistently giving high ratings to all employees regardless of performance, which is not evident in this scenario. Choice C, Halo error, involves allowing one positive attribute of an individual to overshadow other characteristics during appraisal, which is not the case here. Absolute judgment, Choice D, is when a rater evaluates an employee without reference to any specific criteria, which is not reflected in the staff nurse's feedback.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When calculating the Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), factors such as the hours of work for the staff for two weeks, average daily census, and types of patients are considered. However, the hours of care provided are not typically included in the calculation of FTEs. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, ancillary staff, can impact FTE calculations as they contribute to the overall workload. Choice C, procedures to be done, can also influence FTE calculations, especially if they affect staffing requirements. Choice D, types of patients, play a role in determining the level of care needed and subsequently impact FTE calculations.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA mandates that the hepatitis B vaccine series must be offered to healthcare workers who are not immune to hepatitis. This requirement aims to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including the hepatitis B virus. The American Nurses Association (ANA) (Choice A) is a professional organization for nurses, not a regulatory body. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (Choice C) focuses on accrediting healthcare organizations for quality and safety, not mandating immunizations. The State board of nursing (Choice D) is responsible for regulating nursing practice within a specific state, not mandating immunizations.