A co-worker snaps at the nurse and hurls papers onto the desk before the shift. Why might this occur?

A co-worker snaps at the nurse and hurls papers onto the desk before the shift. Why might this occur?

• A. Hostility and resentment of the late nurse
• B. Depression related to something occurring outside the workplace
• C. Anger due to being reprimanded earlier in the day
• D. Anxiety about information they just received regarding their health

Answer: (A)

When someone arrives late and then vents by snapping at a colleague and throwing papers, it often reflects underlying hostility or resentment toward that person. The delay directly affects the team’s workload, pace, and stress level, so the reaction targets the late teammate who disrupted the shift. This behavior is a outward sign of built-up frustration about the impact of the lateness on patient care and the work environment. Depression tied to something outside the workplace would more likely show as subdued mood or withdrawal rather than a sudden, pointed outburst toward a coworker. Anger from being reprimanded earlier in the day could happen, but the phrasing suggests the anger is directed at the late nurse as the trigger, not at the reprimand in general. Anxiety about personal health tends to show as worry or fear rather than direct aggression toward a coworker. If you’re faced with this situation, approach calmly and consider addressing the behavior or involving a supervisor if it repeats, but the immediate interpretation of the action points to hostility and resentment toward the late nurse being the best explanation.

When someone arrives late and then vents by snapping at a colleague and throwing papers, it often reflects underlying hostility or resentment toward that person. The delay directly affects the team’s workload, pace, and stress level, so the reaction targets the late teammate who disrupted the shift. This behavior is a outward sign of built-up frustration about the impact of the lateness on patient care and the work environment.

Depression tied to something outside the workplace would more likely show as subdued mood or withdrawal rather than a sudden, pointed outburst toward a coworker. Anger from being reprimanded earlier in the day could happen, but the phrasing suggests the anger is directed at the late nurse as the trigger, not at the reprimand in general. Anxiety about personal health tends to show as worry or fear rather than direct aggression toward a coworker.

If you’re faced with this situation, approach calmly and consider addressing the behavior or involving a supervisor if it repeats, but the immediate interpretation of the action points to hostility and resentment toward the late nurse being the best explanation.