Final answer:
The correct answer to the duration of the healthcare professional's shift is 'a. is more than seven hours', as it accurately reflects the 12-hour shift from 7 am to 7 pm. Rotating shifts can cause issues, but proper scheduling, rest, and support can alleviate potential problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a healthcare professional's shift is from 7 am to 7 pm, the duration of the shift is 12 hours. Therefore, when looking at the given options:
a. is more than seven hours. Correct
b. is at most seven hours. Incorrect, this would suggest a shift lasting 7 hours or less, which is not the case.
c. is at least seven hours. Technically correct, but not the best answer as it suggests that the shift could be 7 hours or more, without specificity.
d. is less than seven hours. Incorrect, as the shift exceeds seven hours.
The best answer is 'a. is more than seven hours' as it accurately describes the shift length.
Critical Thinking Questions
Healthcare professionals often work rotating shifts, which can be problematic because it can lead to disruptions in sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, potentially resulting in fatigue, decreased performance, and adverse health outcomes. Adaptive scheduling, adequate rest between shifts, and allowing healthcare professionals to have input into their work schedules are some strategies that can mitigate these issues. Support from the management and access to resources such as health and wellness programs can also help healthcare professionals manage the challenges of rotating shifts.