Question

A nurse at a county health clinic is caring for a client who has recently assumed the role of primary caregiver for their parent. What type of conflict is the nurse experiencing?

1) Role ambiguity
2) Role overload
3) Role strain
4) Role conflict

Answer 1

The nurse is likely facing role conflict as they try to balance the competing demands of their professional responsibilities and their duty as a caregiver to a family member.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse at a county health clinic experiencing the demands of caring for a client who is now the primary caregiver for their parent is likely facing role conflict. This occurs when an individual's multiple roles come with expectations that are difficult to reconcile or are contradictory. As in the scenario with Mary presented in the context, the nurse could be in a similar situation where the responsibilities of their professional role as a nurse might conflict with personal obligations, such as the need to provide care for their own family members. Role strain can also be present when excessive demands and responsibilities lead to stress within a single role. However, role conflict seems to be the primary issue when dealing with overlapping roles that have competing demands.