Clinical Nurse Leader Practice Exam

Your manager needs to decrease the unit's budget. Which action would have the greatest impact?

1. Exploring why staff is not leaving on time and creating overtime

2. Eliminating unused supplies on the unit

3. Increasing the nurse to patient ratio

4. Deciding not to update the unit's computers

The correct answer is: Exploring why staff is not leaving on time and creating overtime

Eliminating unused supplies on the unit stands out as the action with the greatest potential to positively impact the budget. Reducing waste by identifying and removing supplies that are no longer necessary can lead to significant cost savings. This not only helps in directly cutting down expenses but also allows for more efficient use of resources. In contrast, exploring why staff is not leaving on time and creating overtime might address scheduling issues but does not inherently reduce overall unit expenses; rather, it could potentially exacerbate budget concerns if overtime costs continue to rise. Increasing the nurse-to-patient ratio could negatively impact patient care and safety, leading to potential penalties and increased costs due to poor outcomes. Lastly, deciding not to update the unit's computers might save some immediate funds, but outdated technology can lead to inefficiencies and mistakes, which could ultimately be more costly in the long run. Therefore, focusing on the elimination of unused supplies effectively addresses waste and promotes a more sustainable budget strategy.