Nursing Leadership & Management – Final Exam – Study Guide & Practice
Questions
A nurse is considering applying for a management job that will require the nurse to make many
difficult... - correct answer ✔✔An individual's comfort level with risk has a major bearing on
that person's ability and willingness to make difficult decisions. It also affects the outcomes of
decisions. The nursing process can have application in the decision-making process, but it is not
among the most common decision-making models in management situations. A focus on
pleasing other people may make it difficult to arrive at a decision when there are not ideal
options available. Quick thinking can be beneficial when making some decisions, but people
who are more methodical thinkers are not necessarily at a disadvantage. Quick thinking does
not always lead to wise decisions.
The unit manager has created a decision grid in order to assist with a difficult staffing decision...
- correct answer ✔✔A decision grid allows one to visually examine the alternatives and
compare each against the same criteria. This assists with the decision-making process, but it
cannot guarantee that the decision will be completely objective. A decision grid is not a tool for
tracking the outcomes of a decision. Decision grids are not synonymous with project planning
tables
The nurse-manager is faced with a difficult decision in a situation that involves the manager's
values... - correct answer ✔✔Every person has a value system, and this cannot be simply "set
aside." Awareness and reflection are necessary to make good decisions in the context of one's
own values. Intuition and values are not counterpoints, and prioritizing intuition does not
negate the importance of values. Values influence every decision to varying degrees, and it is
impractical to defer every value-laden decision to someone else
A novice nurse has been trying to apply the nursing process to each client interaction. What
should - correct answer ✔✔The weakness of the nursing process, like the traditional problem-
solving model, is in not requiring clearly stated objectives. Goals should be clearly stated in the
planning phase of the process, but this step is frequently omitted or obscured. Assessment and
diagnosis often cannot be performed at the same time. Ethics should always be considered, of
course, but this variable is not identified as enhancing the overall effectiveness of the nursing
process. Evaluation is recommended as an ongoing, iterative process that is not reserved for
,when all outcomes have been met. Indeed, it is impossible to determine whether outcomes
have been met without performing evaluation
The nurses on a medical unit are using several different techniques for performing wound care
and th - correct answer ✔✔The implementation of EBP usually follows a linear approach that
begins with formulating a specific question that can be used to guide a literature search. This
should be done before starting a literature review or consulting experts in the field.
An experienced nurse-manager has been described as being a right-brain thinker. This
manager's dec - correct answer ✔✔Right-brained thinkers have traditionally been characterized
as being creative and intuitive. Linear analysis is more closely aligned with left-brained thinking.
Transparency and efficiency are desirable qualities that are not particularly aligned with either
of these two paradigms.
Which statements demonstrate a characteristic of a critical thinker? Select all that apply. -
correct answer ✔✔A critical thinker displays persistence, empathy, and assertiveness. Trying a
new approach shows persistence. Considering the client's participation shows empathy.
Speaking to the care provider on the client's behalf shows assertiveness. Concluding that there
is no solution to a problem reflects an inability to think outside the box. Stating, "It's important
that we not give up; our clients deserve it" shows persistence and empathy.
The nurse-manager is applying an evidence-based approach to a clinical question around client
mobili - correct answer ✔✔The PICO (patient or population, intervention, comparison, and
outcome) format is used in evidence-based practice to guide the search for the current best
evidence to address a problem. Client and family preferences and cost are included in evidence-
based practice but are not explicit components of the PICO format. Intuition is a component of
decision making but is not specifically included in the PICO format.
Which statement concerning the role of the most powerful individuals in organizational decision
maki - correct answer ✔✔Not only does the preference of the powerful influence decisions of
others in the organization but the powerful are also able to inhibit the preferences of the less
powerful. Powerful people in organizations are more likely to have decisions made that are
congruent with their own preferences and values. Powerful people tend to make decisions on
,their own rather than delegating them. Often, the effect on others is not prioritized as highly as
it should be.
The nurse has accepted a job in a workplace where organizational power has a pronounced
effect. This - correct answer ✔✔The ability of the powerful to influence individual decision
making in an organization often requires adopting a private personality and an organizational
personality. The nurse will often have to accept decisions that solely reflect the values of more
powerful individuals. This may lead to a feeling of powerlessness but not necessarily mistrust
and lack of communication. Delegation of decision making is likely to be rare, not common,
because it is concentrated with those in power.
The nurse-manager is addressing a nurse's suspected breach of client confidentiality in a social
med - correct answer ✔✔Legal and ethical issues, such as violations of confidentiality, are
categorized within the controlling function. Organizing includes establishing the structure to
carry out plans, determining the most appropriate type of patient care delivery, and grouping
activities to meet unit goals. Staffing functions consist of recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and
orienting staff. Directing entails human resource management responsibilities, such as
motivating, managing conflict, delegating, communicating, and facilitating collaboration.
What action by the nurse-manager in a health organization best demonstrates transformational
leaders - correct answer ✔✔Transformational leadership often involves the communication of a
vision and empowering employees to share in it. Functions involving performance review,
scheduling, and licensure are more consistent with a transactional role. Taking responsibility is a
trait of effective transformational and transactional leadership.
The clinic leader tends to make decisions independently and closely supervises and controls the
prac - correct answer ✔✔Authoritarianism is associated with decision making that does not
involve others and strong control. Democratic leadership emphasizes broad participation in
decision making, and a laissez-faire approach highly permissive with low control. A contingency
approach emphasizes the need for flexibility in leadership, not high control and centralized
decision making.
, The manager of a busy emergency department is primarily concerned with the practical, day-to-
day operations... - correct answer ✔✔The traditional manager, concerned with the day-to-day
operations, is termed a transactional leader. Transformational leadership prioritizes longer term
vision and empowerment. Bureaucratic leadership emphasizes rules and regulations, whereas
interactional leadership focuses on the link between personality and situations.
The nurse-manager has been approached by three different families in recent weeks, all of
whom have - correct answer ✔✔Democratic leadership involves the use of awards and
feedback. The Great Man theory posits that leadership is an inherent trait, not a learned trait;
the manager's actions do not point to this. There is no reason to believe that a commendation
may discourage the nurse's peers. Accusations of favoritism are unlikely, provided the
manager's commendation is evidence-based.
A nurse was 20 minutes late returning from a scheduled lunch break and a colleague's break
was conse - correct answer ✔✔Laissez-faire leadership is generally understood to be a "hands
off" approach. The manager using this approach would likely allow the two nurses to self-
manage this event and reach a solution independently. Requiring a meeting would be a more
authoritarian or autocratic approach. Punishing the nurse and requiring an apology would be a
strongly autocratic approach.
A nurse leader has set a goal of becoming a more transformational leader. What outcome will
best ind - correct answer ✔✔Transformational leadership is characterized by empowering
others and instilling them with vision. Transactional leadership is more management-oriented
and includes functions around rewarding performance and allocating resources. Transactional
and transformational leadership can both result in loyalty and respect.
The manager at a long-term care facility has intervened in a conflict between two staff members
abou - correct answer ✔✔Directing entails human resource management responsibilities, such
as motivating, managing conflict, delegating, communicating, and facilitating collaboration.
Planning encompasses determining philosophy, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and
rules; carrying out long- and short-range projections; determining a fiscal course of action; and
managing planned change. Organizing includes establishing the structure to carry out plans,
determining the most appropriate type of patient care delivery, and grouping activities to meet
unit goals. Evaluation is not one of the five specific functions in the management process.
Questions
A nurse is considering applying for a management job that will require the nurse to make many
difficult... - correct answer ✔✔An individual's comfort level with risk has a major bearing on
that person's ability and willingness to make difficult decisions. It also affects the outcomes of
decisions. The nursing process can have application in the decision-making process, but it is not
among the most common decision-making models in management situations. A focus on
pleasing other people may make it difficult to arrive at a decision when there are not ideal
options available. Quick thinking can be beneficial when making some decisions, but people
who are more methodical thinkers are not necessarily at a disadvantage. Quick thinking does
not always lead to wise decisions.
The unit manager has created a decision grid in order to assist with a difficult staffing decision...
- correct answer ✔✔A decision grid allows one to visually examine the alternatives and
compare each against the same criteria. This assists with the decision-making process, but it
cannot guarantee that the decision will be completely objective. A decision grid is not a tool for
tracking the outcomes of a decision. Decision grids are not synonymous with project planning
tables
The nurse-manager is faced with a difficult decision in a situation that involves the manager's
values... - correct answer ✔✔Every person has a value system, and this cannot be simply "set
aside." Awareness and reflection are necessary to make good decisions in the context of one's
own values. Intuition and values are not counterpoints, and prioritizing intuition does not
negate the importance of values. Values influence every decision to varying degrees, and it is
impractical to defer every value-laden decision to someone else
A novice nurse has been trying to apply the nursing process to each client interaction. What
should - correct answer ✔✔The weakness of the nursing process, like the traditional problem-
solving model, is in not requiring clearly stated objectives. Goals should be clearly stated in the
planning phase of the process, but this step is frequently omitted or obscured. Assessment and
diagnosis often cannot be performed at the same time. Ethics should always be considered, of
course, but this variable is not identified as enhancing the overall effectiveness of the nursing
process. Evaluation is recommended as an ongoing, iterative process that is not reserved for
,when all outcomes have been met. Indeed, it is impossible to determine whether outcomes
have been met without performing evaluation
The nurses on a medical unit are using several different techniques for performing wound care
and th - correct answer ✔✔The implementation of EBP usually follows a linear approach that
begins with formulating a specific question that can be used to guide a literature search. This
should be done before starting a literature review or consulting experts in the field.
An experienced nurse-manager has been described as being a right-brain thinker. This
manager's dec - correct answer ✔✔Right-brained thinkers have traditionally been characterized
as being creative and intuitive. Linear analysis is more closely aligned with left-brained thinking.
Transparency and efficiency are desirable qualities that are not particularly aligned with either
of these two paradigms.
Which statements demonstrate a characteristic of a critical thinker? Select all that apply. -
correct answer ✔✔A critical thinker displays persistence, empathy, and assertiveness. Trying a
new approach shows persistence. Considering the client's participation shows empathy.
Speaking to the care provider on the client's behalf shows assertiveness. Concluding that there
is no solution to a problem reflects an inability to think outside the box. Stating, "It's important
that we not give up; our clients deserve it" shows persistence and empathy.
The nurse-manager is applying an evidence-based approach to a clinical question around client
mobili - correct answer ✔✔The PICO (patient or population, intervention, comparison, and
outcome) format is used in evidence-based practice to guide the search for the current best
evidence to address a problem. Client and family preferences and cost are included in evidence-
based practice but are not explicit components of the PICO format. Intuition is a component of
decision making but is not specifically included in the PICO format.
Which statement concerning the role of the most powerful individuals in organizational decision
maki - correct answer ✔✔Not only does the preference of the powerful influence decisions of
others in the organization but the powerful are also able to inhibit the preferences of the less
powerful. Powerful people in organizations are more likely to have decisions made that are
congruent with their own preferences and values. Powerful people tend to make decisions on
,their own rather than delegating them. Often, the effect on others is not prioritized as highly as
it should be.
The nurse has accepted a job in a workplace where organizational power has a pronounced
effect. This - correct answer ✔✔The ability of the powerful to influence individual decision
making in an organization often requires adopting a private personality and an organizational
personality. The nurse will often have to accept decisions that solely reflect the values of more
powerful individuals. This may lead to a feeling of powerlessness but not necessarily mistrust
and lack of communication. Delegation of decision making is likely to be rare, not common,
because it is concentrated with those in power.
The nurse-manager is addressing a nurse's suspected breach of client confidentiality in a social
med - correct answer ✔✔Legal and ethical issues, such as violations of confidentiality, are
categorized within the controlling function. Organizing includes establishing the structure to
carry out plans, determining the most appropriate type of patient care delivery, and grouping
activities to meet unit goals. Staffing functions consist of recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and
orienting staff. Directing entails human resource management responsibilities, such as
motivating, managing conflict, delegating, communicating, and facilitating collaboration.
What action by the nurse-manager in a health organization best demonstrates transformational
leaders - correct answer ✔✔Transformational leadership often involves the communication of a
vision and empowering employees to share in it. Functions involving performance review,
scheduling, and licensure are more consistent with a transactional role. Taking responsibility is a
trait of effective transformational and transactional leadership.
The clinic leader tends to make decisions independently and closely supervises and controls the
prac - correct answer ✔✔Authoritarianism is associated with decision making that does not
involve others and strong control. Democratic leadership emphasizes broad participation in
decision making, and a laissez-faire approach highly permissive with low control. A contingency
approach emphasizes the need for flexibility in leadership, not high control and centralized
decision making.
, The manager of a busy emergency department is primarily concerned with the practical, day-to-
day operations... - correct answer ✔✔The traditional manager, concerned with the day-to-day
operations, is termed a transactional leader. Transformational leadership prioritizes longer term
vision and empowerment. Bureaucratic leadership emphasizes rules and regulations, whereas
interactional leadership focuses on the link between personality and situations.
The nurse-manager has been approached by three different families in recent weeks, all of
whom have - correct answer ✔✔Democratic leadership involves the use of awards and
feedback. The Great Man theory posits that leadership is an inherent trait, not a learned trait;
the manager's actions do not point to this. There is no reason to believe that a commendation
may discourage the nurse's peers. Accusations of favoritism are unlikely, provided the
manager's commendation is evidence-based.
A nurse was 20 minutes late returning from a scheduled lunch break and a colleague's break
was conse - correct answer ✔✔Laissez-faire leadership is generally understood to be a "hands
off" approach. The manager using this approach would likely allow the two nurses to self-
manage this event and reach a solution independently. Requiring a meeting would be a more
authoritarian or autocratic approach. Punishing the nurse and requiring an apology would be a
strongly autocratic approach.
A nurse leader has set a goal of becoming a more transformational leader. What outcome will
best ind - correct answer ✔✔Transformational leadership is characterized by empowering
others and instilling them with vision. Transactional leadership is more management-oriented
and includes functions around rewarding performance and allocating resources. Transactional
and transformational leadership can both result in loyalty and respect.
The manager at a long-term care facility has intervened in a conflict between two staff members
abou - correct answer ✔✔Directing entails human resource management responsibilities, such
as motivating, managing conflict, delegating, communicating, and facilitating collaboration.
Planning encompasses determining philosophy, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and
rules; carrying out long- and short-range projections; determining a fiscal course of action; and
managing planned change. Organizing includes establishing the structure to carry out plans,
determining the most appropriate type of patient care delivery, and grouping activities to meet
unit goals. Evaluation is not one of the five specific functions in the management process.
