AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018
Nursing Management & leadership
Easy

All the following are conflict resolution strategies EXCEPT?

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018

Explanation

  • Resistance is not a formal strategy for resolving conflict but rather a behavior indicating opposition or disagreement.
  • Unlike structured strategies that aim to manage or resolve a dispute, resistance is a reaction that can block progress and escalate conflict.
  • The established models of conflict management, such as the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument, do not include resistance as a method for resolution.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Smoothing, also known as Accommodating, is a valid conflict resolution strategy.
  • Option B: Avoiding is a recognized conflict management strategy.
  • Option D: Collaborating is considered one of the most effective conflict resolution strategies.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
  • Visual 1: Infographic: The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, showing the five conflict styles plotted on two axes: Assertiveness (y-axis) and Cooperativeness (x-axis). This visual helps to understand how each style relates to the desire to satisfy one's own needs versus the needs of others.
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Conflict Resolution Strategies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • In nursing, effective conflict resolution is crucial for patient safety, team morale, and quality of care. A nurse leader must be able to identify the type of conflict and apply the appropriate strategy.
  • For example, a nurse might use collaboration to work with a physician on a patient's care plan, smoothing to de-escalate a minor disagreement with a colleague over break times, and avoiding (temporarily) a heated discussion with a patient's family member until a more private and calm setting is available.
  • What if? If a nurse manager observes resistance from staff regarding a new protocol, they should not ignore it. Instead, they should use a collaborative or compromising approach to understand the staff's concerns and find a workable solution, turning resistance into a constructive dialogue.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'conflict resolution strategies'.
  • Note the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the option that does not belong with the others.
  • Recall the standard models of conflict management, such as the five styles from the Thomas-Kilmann model (Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Avoiding, Accommodating/Smoothing).
  • Evaluate each option against this model.
  • Smoothing (Accommodating), Avoiding, and Collaborating are all part of the model.
  • Resistance is not listed as a constructive strategy in this model. Therefore, it is the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Conflict Resolution Strategies
  • Stem keywords: conflict resolution, strategies
  • Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
  • Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the option that is NOT a conflict resolution strategy.

Question ID

QfGe267B1zY6G6_6hhl4-m

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