Week 6: Problem Solving

Question 1

What is problem solving in healthcare?

Answer 1

Finding a solution that is different from what has already been tried.

Question 2

Why is problem solving complex in nursing?

Answer 2

Problems are not clearly presented and often involve multiple factors (clinical, communication, system).

Question 3

What happens if a problem is misidentified?

Answer 3

Leads to incorrect interventions and potential patient harm.

Question 4

Give an example of misidentifying a problem.

Answer 4

Treating agitation as behavioral instead of recognizing hypoxia.

Question 5

What are the 3 key steps of problem solving?

Answer 5

Understand problem → choose strategy → apply solution.

Question 6

What are common types of problems in healthcare?

Answer 6

Clinical, communication, and organizational/workflow.

Question 7

What is the foundation of problem solving?

Answer 7

Accurate assessment.

Question 8

Is problem solving an innate skill?

Answer 8

No, it is learned and develops over time.

Question 9

What helps develop problem-solving skills?

Answer 9

Education, clinical experience, reflection, feedback.

Question 10

Do problem-solving models follow strict linear steps?

Answer 10

No, they are dynamic and can overlap.

Question 11

What are the common elements of all problem-solving models?

Answer 11

Identify problem, develop solutions, evaluate outcomes.

Question 12

What are the 3 phases of McClam & Woodside model?

Answer 12

Problem identification, decision making, problem resolution.

Question 13

Why is problem identification the most important phase?

Answer 13

Errors here lead to wrong decisions and outcomes.

Question 14

What is the first step in problem identification?

Answer 14

Clearly state the problem.

Question 15

Why are vague problem statements dangerous?

Answer 15

They lead to unclear and ineffective interventions.

Question 16

What does checking assumptions mean?

Answer 16

Questioning your beliefs about the patient/problem.

Question 17

Why are assumptions dangerous?

Answer 17

They can introduce bias and lead to incorrect conclusions.

Question 18

Example of a wrong assumption?

Answer 18

Labeling a patient as non-compliant without assessing barriers.

Question 19

Why ask “what if nothing is done”?

Answer 19

To determine urgency and whether a real problem exists.

Question 20

What does verifying understanding involve?

Answer 20

Ensuring all team members agree on the problem.

Question 21

Why is team agreement important?

Answer 21

Prevents fragmented care.

Question 22

What is prioritization based on?

Answer 22

ABCs, safety, risk, acute vs chronic.

Question 23

What is the purpose of goal setting?

Answer 23

To guide actions and define desired outcomes.

Question 24

What makes a goal effective?

Answer 24

Clear, specific, realistic.

Question 25

What is generating alternatives?

Answer 25

Brainstorming possible solutions.

Question 26

Why should you not jump to the first solution?

Answer 26

It may not be the best or safest option.

Question 27

Who should be involved in generating alternatives?

Answer 27

Patient, family, and interprofessional team.

Question 28

What is the final step in decision making?

Answer 28

Selecting the best option.

Question 29

What are ways decisions can be made?

Answer 29

Consensus, delegation, voting.

Question 30

What is the preferred decision-making approach in healthcare?

Answer 30

Collaboration/consensus.

Question 31

When is delegation used?

Answer 31

In urgent situations

Question 32

What makes a decision successful?

Answer 32

Evidence-based, ethical, patient-centered, evaluable.

Question 33

What are the steps in problem resolution?

Answer 33

Review → readiness → plan → action → evaluation.

Question 34

Why review previous steps?

Answer 34

To ensure accuracy before acting.

Question 35

What is readiness for change?

Answer 35

Whether patient/team/resources are prepared.

Question 36

Why is readiness important?

Answer 36

Lack of readiness leads to failure.

Question 37

What should a plan include?

Answer 37

Roles, timeline, expected outcomes.

Question 38

What is important during implementation?

Answer 38

Communication, documentation, flexibility.

Question 39

What is the purpose of evaluation?

Answer 39

Determine if goals were achieved.

Question 40

What happens if the solution fails?

Answer 40

Return to earlier steps and reassess.

Question 41

What are common challenges in team problem solving?

Answer 41

Thinking styles, resistance, lack of discussion, polarization, groupthink.

Question 42

What are different thinking styles?

Answer 42

Detail-oriented vs big-picture.

Question 43

What causes resistance?

Answer 43

Past experiences, fear, unclear roles.

Question 44

What happens with insufficient discussion?

Answer 44

Risks and errors are missed.

Question 45

What is polarization?

Answer 45

Team splits into opposing sides.

Question 46

What is groupthink?

Answer 46

Avoiding disagreement to maintain harmony.

Question 47

Why is groupthink dangerous?

Answer 47

It prevents critical thinking and increases risk.

Question 48

Is conflict always negative?

Answer 48

No, it can lead to innovation.

Question 49

What are the 5 conflict styles?

Answer 49

Competing, avoiding, collaborating, accommodating, compromising.

Question 50

What is competing?

Answer 50

One person wins at others’ expense.

Question 51

When is competing appropriate?

Answer 51

Emergencies.

Question 52

What is avoiding?

Answer 52

Ignoring conflict.

Question 53

Risk of avoiding conflict?

Answer 53

Problem persists.

Question 54

What is collaborating?

Answer 54

Working together for a win-win solution.

Question 55

Why is collaboration best?

Answer 55

Focuses on patient-centered care.

Question 56

What is accommodating?

Answer 56

Giving in to maintain harmony.

Question 57

Risk of accommodating?

Answer 57

Can compromise care or boundaries.

Question 58

What is compromising?

Answer 58

Each side gives something.

Question 59

First step in conflict resolution?

Answer 59

Set a safe, respectful atmosphere.

Question 60

What is clarifying perceptions?

Answer 60

Understanding each person’s viewpoint.

Question 61

What is identifying the real issue?

Answer 61

Finding root cause of conflict.

Question 62

What is generating options?

Answer 62

Brainstorming solutions.

Question 63

What is developing a plan?

Answer 63

Assigning actions, roles, timeline.

Question 64

Final step in conflict resolution?

Answer 64

Evaluate outcomes

Question 65

What is incivility?

Answer 65

Rude, disrespectful, or hostile behavior.

Question 66

What is horizontal violence?

Answer 66

Harmful behavior between colleagues.

Question 67

Why is incivility increasing?

Answer 67

Organizational stress, poor leadership, burnout.

Question 68

What is oppressed group behaviour?

Answer 68

Powerlessness leading to negative behaviour toward peers.

Question 69

Incivility Effects on nurses?

Answer 69

Stress, burnout, anxiety, low self-esteem.

Question 70

Incivility Effects on patients?

Answer 70

Errors, poor outcomes, decreased safety.