A recently hired nurse has been overheard saying she does not need to check as closely on her assigned patients as there are many machines that will "just do it for you.". What action by the nurse manager is indicated?

Question

1. The nurse should have a notation placed in her file indicating a lack of due care to assigned patients.
2. The nurse should receive a verbal warning.
3. The nurse manager should plan a skills check off for the nurse.
4. The nurse manager should meet and discuss the needed assessment for assigned patients.

Answer 1

4
Rationale: The use of technology must be accompanied by nursing care and assessment. Failure to provide hands-on care may reflect over-reliance on technology. The nurse manager will need to assess the nurse's perceptions of responsibilities related to these areas. It is premature to give a written or verbal warning to the nurse. At this time the nurse has not demonstrated a lack of clinical ability and a skills check off is premature.