Deck 20: Leadership Skills

Question 1

The action the LPN/LVN charge nurse takes independently that would most likely require conflict resolution at the unit level is

A) organizing shift activities before morning report.
B) making sure the necessary equipment and supplies are available.
C) eliminating morning breaks and adding 10 minutes to the lunch hour.
D) creating a calm, supportive environment.

Answer 1

eliminating morning breaks and adding 10 minutes to the lunch hour.

Question 2

The LPN/LVN charge nurse notices that a nursing assistant has not weighed her assigned residents.The best statement by the nurse is

A) "You didn't weigh your assigned residents this morning. Let's get with the program."
B) "I need to have you weigh your assigned residents and report to me by 10 AM."
C) "Would you mind explaining why you didn't weigh your residents today?"
D) "You've been goofing off lately. Not weighing your assigned residents is a good example of this."

Answer 2

"I need to have you weigh your assigned residents and report to me by 10 AM."

Question 3

What LPN/LVN charge nurse behavior will best accomplish the goal of promoting team building?

A) Using "I" statements exclusively when talking about the unit's mission and goals
B) Never using rewards to change nursing assistant behaviors, because this strategy is manipulative
C) Assuming each nursing assistant is fully informed about the unit's mission and goals
D) Encouraging politeness, cooperation, respect, and trust

Answer 3

Encouraging politeness, cooperation, respect, and trust

Question 4

LPN/LVNs functioning in an expanded role are most often employed in

A) critical care units.
B) pediatric clinics.
C) home health care.
D) long-term care.

Question 5

The LPN/LVN notices that the nursing assistants are taking longer breaks than agency policy permits and wishes to change this behavior as quickly as possible.The LPN/LVN's initial actions should be to

A) verbally confront the employees with their behavior.
B) write reprimands to be placed in each employee's file.
C) ask for in-service classes on time management.
D) determine the reason staff members are taking longer breaks.

Question 6

For an LPN/LVN to motivate staff members to meet the goals of the organization,it is helpful if the nurse

A) practices intimidation.
B) understands work motivators.
C) offers laissez-faire leadership.
D) emphasizes policies rather than people.

Question 7

To discover the expanded role of the practical nurse,the LPN/LVN should investigate

A) the state's Nurse Practice Act.
B) job descriptions for the practical nurse in local health care agencies.
C) information gained from practical nurses working in various clinical settings.
D) the opinions of physicians who service area nursing homes and extended care facilities.

Question 8

The LPN/LVN charge nurse asks the nurse manager,"How can I motivate the nursing assistants on my shift?" The best answer would be

A) "Motivation is an inner force. You can't motivate someone else, but understanding the things that are important to workers can be helpful."
B) "Encouragement is the only way. If you praise and encourage the workers, you will have them eating out of your hand and doing their best."
C) "Money is the only thing that motivates workers. Since you can't set a higher salary, you can't change their motivation."
D) "Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Be clear and specific. Spell things out. Give the impression that you know what you're talking about at all times."

Question 9

A nursing assistant states,"I have never learned how to transfer a resident with end-stage Parkinson's disease from the bed to the chair." The nursing assistant refuses to transfer the resident at this time.Select the appropriate approach for the LPN/LVN charge nurse to take.

A) Reprimand the nursing assistant for not performing the job.
B) Encourage the nursing assistant to carry through with the transfer.
C) Arrange to teach the nursing assistant how to transfer the resident.
D) Mention that nursing assistants can be charged with insubordination if they do not perform their jobs.

Question 10

The LPN/LVN day shift charge nurse in a nursing home usually reports to the

A) owner of the nursing home.
B) administrator of the nursing home.
C) RN manager of the unit.
D) board of directors of the nursing home.

Question 11

The LPN/LVN spends time exploring the agency mission statement with the nursing assistants who work that shift.They create a list of ways they can contribute to achieving the agency goals.This process is called

A) stress management.
B) problem-solving.
C) team building.
D) conflict resolution.

Question 12

Which quality is rarely found in democratic leaders?

A) Assertiveness
B) Arrogance
C) Desire for new learning
D) Effective communication

Question 13

Which behavior should the LPN/LVN charge nurse identify as dysfunctional behavior that violates OBRA regulations by threatening resident quality of life,health,or safety?

A) The nursing assistant praises a resident who is having post-stroke speech therapy for attempts to communicate verbally.
B) The nursing assistant asks to talk to the LPN/LVN charge nurse about changes the nursing assistant would like to make in a resident's plan of care.
C) The nursing assistant uses a sharp tone of voice and body posture, suggesting impatience when feeding a resident.
D) The nursing assistant offers to help co-workers after finishing his resident care assignment.

Question 14

Which understanding about leadership would help the LPN/LVN become a more skillful leader?

A) Leaders in nursing are appointed by management to accomplish organizational goals.
B) Leaders rarely take risks and virtually never make mistakes.
C) Leaders have little confidence in themselves until they develop a power base.
D) Leaders see change as challenging and providing opportunities for improving quality of care.

Question 15

A nursing assistant (NA)did an exceptionally good job by encouraging a resident to leave his room and go to an activity.Select the response by the LPN/LVN charge nurse that would best encourage the employee to continue this effort.

A) Write a note for the NA's file explaining that she did not leave the resident in his room.
B) Tell the NA she is a great nursing assistant and that the charge nurse wished all assistants were like her.
C) Report the NA's good efforts to the nursing home's administrator and board of directors.
D) Tell the NA that the charge nurse knows how hard she worked to get the resident out of his room and how pleased the nurse is that the NA is concerned with the resident's need for socialization.

Question 16

The LPN/LVN nursing home charge nurse encourages nursing assistants to make suggestions regarding improvement of nursing care and shows concern for the staff.This leadership style is called

A) laissez-faire.
B) democratic.
C) autocratic.
D) situational.

Question 17

The LPN/LVN nursing home charge nurse usually tells nursing assistants what to do and offers little opportunity for input or suggestions for how to improve care.This leadership style is called

A) autocratic.
B) democratic.
C) situational.
D) laissez-faire.

Question 18

How can the LPN/LVN charge nurse meet needs for affiliation among staff on their shift?

A) Reorient all staff to policies and shift routine.
B) Encourage attendance at continuing education seminars.
C) Arrange a social gathering for the staff on the shift.
D) Offer training in violence prevention.

Question 19

The LPN/LVN reads this statement,"Stress is the body's reaction to the mind's analysis of a situation." The LPN/LVN concludes that the critical factor to teach nursing assistants to help them control their stress levels is to

A) manage how they think about a situation.
B) consider the stressful situation as subjectively as possible.
C) focus on developing good clinical skills.
D) apply time management principles.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of objective,rational thinking rather than subjective,irrational thinking about nursing assistants whom the LPN/LVN charge nurse supervises?

A) "I want nursing assistants to be on time for report."
B) "Neat appearance means good clinical skills."
C) "Nursing assistants who are late intend to take advantage of co-workers."
D) "Beware of nursing assistants who smile a lot. They're manipulative."

Question 21

A purely task-centered leadership style that thrives on power and involves telling someone what to do,with little regard for the employee as a person,is the

A) autocratic style.
B) situational style.
C) democratic style.
D) laissez-faire style.

Question 22

A new LPN/LVN asks the LPN/LVN charge nurse what continuous quality improvement (CQI)is all about.The charge nurse should explain that the focus of CQI in a health care agency is

A) saving time.
B) better patient care outcomes.
C) making money for the health care agency.
D) reducing stress for employees.

Question 23

A leadership style that focuses on both the task and the employee is the

A) autocratic style.
B) situational style.
C) democratic style.
D) laissez-faire style.

Question 24

A nursing instructor has instructed a student nurse to document objectively.The student nurse demonstrates understanding when documenting

A) "Patient is noncompliant."
B) "Patient is drunk, confused, and uncooperative."
C) "Patient and family are nasty, abrasive, and difficult."
D) "Odor of alcohol on breath; refuses to stay in assigned room."

Question 25

During a staff meeting,the charge nurse encourages feedback from staff nurses about improving patient safety.The charge nurse is displaying what leadership style?

A) autocratic
B) situational
C) democratic
D) laissez-faire

Question 26

When conducting an employee performance evaluation conference,the LPN/LVN charge nurse should understand that

A) giving measurable feedback such as "You're doing fine" promotes personal growth.
B) positive feedback should be given at the beginning of the interview to set the tone.
C) the employee should develop a plan for improvement without input from the charge nurse.
D) the employee should be encouraged to identify strengths and ask questions for clarification.

Question 27

A people-oriented leadership style that focuses on people's feelings but ignores the task at hand and allows people to act without any direction is the

A) autocratic style.
B) situational style.
C) democratic style.
D) laissez-faire style.

Question 28

In which situation would the LPN/LVN charge nurse be in violation of OBRA provisions?

A) Letting the unit secretary, who has completed 30 hours of instruction in a CNA program, bathe and ambulate a resident
B) Allowing a son to feed his father, who is a resident on the unit
C) Scheduling a nursing assistant to attend a 2-hour in-service training session
D) Notifying the RN supervisor that a nursing assistant needs additional training in administration of tap water enemas

Question 29

The long-term care agency has recently announced that it will soon lay off six LPN/LVNs and hire eight nursing assistants.Today,the RN charge nurse presents the LPN/LVN charge nurse with a certificate recognizing her ability to manage effectively despite short staffing.The LPN/LVN responds somewhat politely but seems more angry than pleased.In terms of the Howlett hierarchy of needs,which of the following is the best explanation for the employee's reaction?

A) The LPN/LVN is probably responding to the poor working conditions.
B) When job security is threatened, recognition needs assume lesser importance.
C) Achievement and advancement needs are more fundamental than recognition needs.
D) The adequacy of benefits is more basic to job satisfaction than affiliation needs.

Question 30

Evaluate the following documentation found in the medical record of a resident.It was provided by an LPN/LVN charge nurse relative to an incident that occurred while resident care was being provided by a nursing assistant.
July 1,2009,8:10 AM
While administering meds on Wing 1,I heard someone sobbing in the shower room on that wing.On entering the shower stall,I found Mrs.Garrity crying and shivering.She was sitting naked on the shower chair and was alone in the room.She stated that Becky,her nursing assistant,told her she had to leave for a phone call.I covered Mrs.Garrity with a bath blanket that was on the shelf in the bathroom.At that point Becky returned and confirmed that she had received a phone call.I think the in-service director needs to review the procedure for showering a resident with Becky and the policy about personal phone calls.Becky and I discussed the discomfort caused to Mrs.Garrity by her actions.She listened to my comments without defensiveness.
The documentation should be evaluated as

A) complete and appropriate.
B) appropriate but incomplete.
C) meeting agency and regulatory standards.
D) not meeting criteria for good documentation.

Question 31

During an emergency,the charge nurse tells the LPN/LVN,"I need you to place the patient on a nonrebreather mask now." The charge nurse has little regard for the LPN/LVNs input at this time.The charge nurse is displaying what leadership style?

A) Autocratic
B) Situational
C) Democratic
D) Laissez-faire