Why might a coworker act sarcastically toward a late nurse and place a stack of paperwork on them?

Why might a coworker act sarcastically toward a late nurse and place a stack of paperwork on them?

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

Answer: (A)

When someone arrives late, coworkers may feel their workload and patient care are being disrupted, which can spark resentment. Sarcasm is a common way to express disapproval without direct confrontation, and stacking a pile of paperwork on the late nurse is a concrete, pressure-filled action that signals blame and a desire to enforce accountability. Together, these behaviors illustrate hostility and resentment aimed at the coworker whose lateness created the problem. The other possibilities don’t fit as directly with the described behavior, which centers on interpersonal conflict sparked by the late arrival.

When someone arrives late, coworkers may feel their workload and patient care are being disrupted, which can spark resentment. Sarcasm is a common way to express disapproval without direct confrontation, and stacking a pile of paperwork on the late nurse is a concrete, pressure-filled action that signals blame and a desire to enforce accountability. Together, these behaviors illustrate hostility and resentment aimed at the coworker whose lateness created the problem. The other possibilities don’t fit as directly with the described behavior, which centers on interpersonal conflict sparked by the late arrival.