Study Guide and All Actual Answers.
The nurse is applying a decision-making process to a clinical challenge. When applying this
process, the nurse must:
a. analyze the root causes of a situation.
b. begin by solving the underlying problem.
c. choose between different courses of action.
d. prioritize the maximum good for the maximum number of people. - Answer c. choose
between different courses of action.
The nurse is applying the traditional problem-solving model when mediating in a conflict
between two colleagues. When applying this model, the nurse should prioritize what task?
a. Identifying the root cause of the conflict
b. Implementing a solution as quickly as possible
c. Eliciting input from other nurses
d. Encouraging each nurse to reflect on his or her actions - Answer a. Identifying the root
cause of the conflict
Which statement is true regarding decision making?
a. Scientific methods provide identical decisions by different individuals for the same problems.
b. Decisions are greatly influenced by each person's value system.
c. Personal beliefs can be adjusted for when the scientific approach to problem solving is used.
d. Past experience has little to do with the quality of the decision. - Answer b. Decisions are
greatly influenced by each person's value system
The nurse-manager of a short-staffed unit needs to make a decision about a nurse's request for
an unpaid leave of absence. In order to increase the chance of making a good decision, the
manager should:
a. involve as many people in the decision-making process as possible.
b. begin the decision-making process by presuming the status quo to be the best option.
c. generate as many different alternatives as possible.
,d. prioritize the option that is most innovative. - Answer c. generate as many different
alternatives as possible.
An experienced nurse-manager has been described as being a "right-brain thinker." This
manager's decision-making process likely prioritizes what characteristic?
a. Linear analysis
b. Intuition
c. Transparency
d. Efficiency - Answer b. Intuition
The nurse-manager is applying an evidence-based approach to a clinical question around client
mobilization. When using a PICO format to search for evidence, the nurse should identify what?
a. The role of intuition in the decision-making process
b. The preferences of clients and their families
c. The clients for whom the intervention would be relevant
d. Costs associated with a potential change in practice - Answer c. The clients for whom the
intervention would be relevant
The nurse-manager is applying the decision-making process when addressing a nurse's high rate
of absenteeism. This process should result in:
a. an outcome that is desired by all.
b. a chosen course of action.
c. an action that guarantees success.
d. a new understanding of the problem. - Answer b. a chosen course of action.
The nurse-manager is faced with a difficult decision in a situation that involves the manager's
values. What is the manager's best action?
a. Try to base a decision on intuition rather than values.
b. Set aside his or her values and make a rationale decision.
c. Defer the decision to a colleague with different values.
d. Identify and reflect on his or her own values. - Answer d. Identify and reflect on his or her
own values.
Which statement is true concerning critical thinking?
,a. It is a simple approach to decision making.
b. It is narrower in scope than decision making.
c. It requires reasoning and creative analysis.
d. It is a synonym for the problem-solving process. - Answer c. It requires reasoning and
creative analysis.
A nurse-manager has realized that the data gathering process before a recent decision may have
been influenced by confirmation bias. How can the manager best prevent this in the
future?
a. Delegate data gathering to a trusted colleague who has different values.
b. Make sure not to prioritize information that supports the manager's beliefs.
c. Consider all of the implications of an alternative before making a decision.
d. Collect only the minimum quantity of data before making a decision. - Answer b. Make
sure not to prioritize information that supports the manager's beliefs.
A nurse-manager has made a decision and is now preparing to evaluate the decision. What
question should best guide the nurse's evaluation process?
a. Is evaluation necessary when using a good decision-making model?
b. Can evaluation be eliminated if the problem is resolved?
c. Is every party happy with the outcomes of the decision?
d. Did the outcomes align with the original objectives? - Answer d. Did the outcomes align
with the original objectives?
Which statement concerning the role of the most powerful individuals in organizational decision
making is true?
a. They exert less influence on decisions than was previously thought.
b. They often make decisions that are in congruence with their own values.
c. They tend to delegate decision making rather than making decisions themselves.
d. They usually make the important decisions with consideration of effect on others. - Answer
b. They often make decisions that are in congruence with their own values.
One of the nurses on the unit said, "My Vietnamese patient won't look me in the eye, but I
know that Asian patients avoid making eye contact as a way of showing respect." This nurse is
demonstrating what type of illogical thinking?
a. Affirming the consequences
, b. Arguing from analogy
c. Deductive reasoning
d. Overgeneralizing - Answer d. Overgeneralizing
The nurse has accepted a job in a workplace where organizational power has a pronounced
effect. This characteristic may have what effect on the nurse and the workplace?
a. Many decisions will be delegated to the nurse by supervisors.
b. There will be high levels of mistrust and suspicion at the workplace.
c. Communication will be compromised in the workplace.
d. The nurse may have to accept decisions contrary to his or her own values. - Answer d. The
nurse may have to accept decisions contrary to his or her own values.
The unit manager has created a decision grid in order to assist with a difficult staffing decision
that will affect many nurses. The decision grid will allow the manager to:
a. examine alternatives visually and compare each against the same criteria.
b. ensure that the decision is made objectively rather than subjectively.
c. plot the outcomes of a decision over time and evaluate the decision-making process.
d. predict when events must take place to complete a project on time. - Answer a. examine
alternatives visually and compare each against the same criteria.
A nurse-manager is planning to apply a decision-making model to a clinical challenge.When
using a decision-making tool, what should the manager do?
a. Be aware that the tool cannot eliminate the risk of human error.
b. Have an impartial colleague apply the tool, if possible.
c. Apply the tool as quickly as possible.
d. Recognize that the tool will negate the effect of the manager's values. - Answer a. Be
aware that the tool cannot eliminate the risk of human error.
A nurse-manager had to intervene in a conflict between a client and a staff member. The
manager chose to make a decision "in the moment" rather than applying a methodical or
deliberate decision-making tool. How should this manager's actions be best interpreted?
a. The manager applied heuristics to a problem that required a quick solution.
b. The manager should have used a decision-making tool before responding.
c. The manager's decision was likely made on the basis of emotion.