Which statement demonstrates withholding information as a form of lateral violence?

Which statement demonstrates withholding information as a form of lateral violence?

• A. Don't tell him, let him figure it out on his own.
• B. Provide all discharge instructions now.
• C. Share the plan with the team.
• D. Confirm understanding with the patient.

Answer: (A)

Lateral violence includes covert, undermining behaviors like withholding information to control or belittle a colleague. In health care, clear and open communication is essential for safe, coordinated patient care, so keeping critical information from a teammate undermines trust and disrupts the team’s functioning. The statement “Don’t tell him, let him figure it out on his own” exemplifies this by intentionally withholding information with the aim of keeping power over the situation, leaving the other person unprepared and forced to guess. That deliberate omission creates confusion, delays tasks, and reinforces a hostile work environment, which are the hallmarks of lateral violence. The other statements reflect constructive communication and collaboration—providing discharge instructions promptly, sharing the plan with the team, and confirming understanding with the patient—so they don’t fit the pattern of withholding information.

Lateral violence includes covert, undermining behaviors like withholding information to control or belittle a colleague. In health care, clear and open communication is essential for safe, coordinated patient care, so keeping critical information from a teammate undermines trust and disrupts the team’s functioning.

The statement “Don’t tell him, let him figure it out on his own” exemplifies this by intentionally withholding information with the aim of keeping power over the situation, leaving the other person unprepared and forced to guess. That deliberate omission creates confusion, delays tasks, and reinforces a hostile work environment, which are the hallmarks of lateral violence.

The other statements reflect constructive communication and collaboration—providing discharge instructions promptly, sharing the plan with the team, and confirming understanding with the patient—so they don’t fit the pattern of withholding information.