C HAPTER 13: S OLVING P ROBLEMS AND
I NFLUENCING P OSITIVE O UTCOMES
Yoder-Wise: Leading and Managing in Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Select the statement that best defines the difference between problem
solving and decision making:
a. decision-making skills require critical thinking; problem -solving
skills do not.
b. problem-solving skills require critical thinking; decision -making
skills do not.
c. decision making is a goal -directed effort; problem solving is
focused on solving an immediate problem.
d. problem solvin g is a goal-directed effort; decision making is
focused on solving an immediate problem.
ANS: C
Problem solving is focused on solving immediate problems, whereas
decision making is a goal -directed process that is aimed at selecting
appropriate actions fr om among options. Not all decisions begin with a
problem.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
,2. The maintenance department wishes to have the nursing lounge renovated,
so the lounge will be more “user-friendl y.” The department asks the
nursing staff to make a wish list of everything that they would like to see
in the new lounge. This process is an example of which part of the
decision-making process?
a. Assessment/Data collection
b. Planning
c. Data interpretation
d. Generating hypotheses
ANS: A
In this particular model (a model similar to the nursing model), data
collection is the first step toward identifying important alternatives or
determining if there is a problem or problems.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
3. A good nursing decision maker is one who:
a. uses various models to guide the process based on the circumstances
of the situation.
b. adopts one model and uses it to guide all decision making.
c. decides not to use any models because they are all useless.
d. develops a new model each time a decision has to be made.
ANS: A
The decision model that a nurse uses depends on specific
circumstances. Is the situation routine and predictable or complex and
, uncertain? Is the goal to make a decision that is ―just good enough‖
(conservative) or one that is optimal?
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
4. Decision making is described by the nursing educator as the process one
uses to:
a. solve a problem.
b. choose between alternatives.
c. reflect on a certain situation.
d. generate ideas.
ANS: B
The hallmark of decision making is choosing among options.
Generating options is one phase of decision making, and solving a
problem refers to problem solving, which is problem centered.
Decision making does not always begin with probl ems, but rather is
defined as a purposeful, goal -directed effort that uses a systematic
process to choose among options.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
5. One day, at coffee, your co -worker suggests that you and she sit with unit
members of the hospital r esearch committee. She suggests that this would
be an excellent way to get to know people who share her interest in
research. Her actions are an example of:
a. mentorship.
b. politics.
I NFLUENCING P OSITIVE O UTCOMES
Yoder-Wise: Leading and Managing in Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Select the statement that best defines the difference between problem
solving and decision making:
a. decision-making skills require critical thinking; problem -solving
skills do not.
b. problem-solving skills require critical thinking; decision -making
skills do not.
c. decision making is a goal -directed effort; problem solving is
focused on solving an immediate problem.
d. problem solvin g is a goal-directed effort; decision making is
focused on solving an immediate problem.
ANS: C
Problem solving is focused on solving immediate problems, whereas
decision making is a goal -directed process that is aimed at selecting
appropriate actions fr om among options. Not all decisions begin with a
problem.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
,2. The maintenance department wishes to have the nursing lounge renovated,
so the lounge will be more “user-friendl y.” The department asks the
nursing staff to make a wish list of everything that they would like to see
in the new lounge. This process is an example of which part of the
decision-making process?
a. Assessment/Data collection
b. Planning
c. Data interpretation
d. Generating hypotheses
ANS: A
In this particular model (a model similar to the nursing model), data
collection is the first step toward identifying important alternatives or
determining if there is a problem or problems.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
3. A good nursing decision maker is one who:
a. uses various models to guide the process based on the circumstances
of the situation.
b. adopts one model and uses it to guide all decision making.
c. decides not to use any models because they are all useless.
d. develops a new model each time a decision has to be made.
ANS: A
The decision model that a nurse uses depends on specific
circumstances. Is the situation routine and predictable or complex and
, uncertain? Is the goal to make a decision that is ―just good enough‖
(conservative) or one that is optimal?
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
4. Decision making is described by the nursing educator as the process one
uses to:
a. solve a problem.
b. choose between alternatives.
c. reflect on a certain situation.
d. generate ideas.
ANS: B
The hallmark of decision making is choosing among options.
Generating options is one phase of decision making, and solving a
problem refers to problem solving, which is problem centered.
Decision making does not always begin with probl ems, but rather is
defined as a purposeful, goal -directed effort that uses a systematic
process to choose among options.
TOP: AONE competency: Leadership
5. One day, at coffee, your co -worker suggests that you and she sit with unit
members of the hospital r esearch committee. She suggests that this would
be an excellent way to get to know people who share her interest in
research. Her actions are an example of:
a. mentorship.
b. politics.
