Question

A charge nurse is managing conflict with a staff nurse who does not agree with the client care assignment. Which of the following statement is an example of using conflict resolution strategy known as smoothing?

Option 1:"The client care assignments are well-distributed, and everyone is capable of handling their respective tasks. Let's focus on providing the best care to our patients."
Option 2:"I understand your concerns about the assignment. We can discuss this further in our team meeting and see if any adjustments can be made to better accommodate everyone."
Option 3:"I make the assignments based on the needs of the patients and the skills of the staff. I expect everyone to follow the assigned tasks without questioning them."
Option 4:"I appreciate your input. Let's work together to find a solution that ensures our patients receive optimal care and addresses your concerns about the assignment."

Answer 1

The conflict resolution strategy of smoothing is best demonstrated by emphasizing the team's common goals and capabilities, as in the statement that client care assignments are well-distributed and everyone can handle their tasks, encouraging focus on patient care.

Step-by-step explanation:

An example of using the conflict resolution strategy known as smoothing is: "The client care assignments are well-distributed, and everyone is capable of handling their respective tasks. Let's focus on providing the best care to our patients." This approach aims to reduce the tension by emphasizing agreement and downplaying the disagreements. It focuses on what is working and the common goal of patient care without directly addressing the conflict. It shows respect for the staff's capabilities and redirects the attention towards the collective responsibility of the team. When using smoothing as a strategy, it is important to choose words that do not inflame the situation, to listen actively to the other person's perspective, avoid asserting authority aggressively, and stay open and respectful.