The nurses on a psychiatric unit are informed that their manager will be leaving for a few weeks because she requires medical care

Question

The manager typically makes the schedule, fills in if needed, and handles all conflicts or unit difficulties. The nurse administrator calls a meeting of the staff nurses and asks them to come up with a plan for how to handle the unit in the manager's absence. Which of the following group reactions suggests that the group is in the mature stage of development?
A) The nurses discuss various options. Although there is conflict, everyone tries to cooperate.
B) The nurses are unsure how to proceed and ask their manager what she would like them to do.
C) The nurses are upset about their manager's illness and the consequences of it but are supportive. Initially, they feel disorganized but then begin developing a plan.
D) The nurses begin trying to problem solve. They realize they cannot reach a decision how to proceed and inform the nurse administrator.

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
The mature group demonstrates such positive characteristics as empathy, effective communication, and a definite, inclusive group culture. Even if a group reaches a mature stage, however, individual members, or even the whole group, can regress. This change may result from the addition or loss of a member or a new and stressful group problem.