A nurse manager is confronted by a staff nurse who states that an assignment is unfair. Which of the following responses should the nurse manager make?

A. "What part of this assignment makes you upset?": This response encourages open communication, allowing the staff nurse to express specific concerns. It demonstrates active listening, validation of feelings, and promotes problem-solving in a professional and supportive manner. B. "Let's discuss how this affects your performance improvement plan.": This response shifts the focus to evaluation or discipline rather than addressing the immediate concern. It may create defensiveness and does not validate the nurse’s feelings or allow for discussion of the assignment issue. C. "Why are you talking to me instead of the charge nurse?": This response is dismissive and may discourage the staff nurse from voicing concerns in the future. It does not address the fairness of the assignment or explore potential solutions. D. "You are not the only one with a heavy assignment today.": Comparing workloads minimizes the nurse’s concerns and can be perceived as unsupportive. It does not facilitate problem-solving or acknowledge the staff nurse’s feelings about the assignment.