Question 1

You have been offered a position as a head nurse in the emergency department.You understand that:

Accepted Answer

As a head nurse, you will have some level of authority and influence, but your power may be limited by higher-ranking administrators or physicians. It is important to work collaboratively with others and gather input from your team to make decisions. Keeping knowledge to yourself would not be conducive to a successful team environment, and knowledge should be shared to improve patient care.

Question 2

A nurse belongs to several professional organizations,serving on a provincial-level committee of one group and on two task forces at work.The nurse is committed to a range of health issues.This nurse exemplifies which level of political activism in nursing?

Accepted Answer

The nurse in this scenario is exhibiting political sophistication, as they are involved in multiple professional organizations and task forces related to health issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of and commitment to political activism in nursing.

Question 3

The workgroup on unit NU23 is marked by apathy toward the unit's patients,high rates of absenteeism,open conflict among team members,and high turnover of personnel,including managers.The behaviours in this situation are caused by feelings of:

Accepted Answer

The workgroup's behaviours, such as apathy toward patients, absenteeism, conflict, and high turnover, suggest that team members may feel powerless to make positive changes. This feeling of powerlessness can lead to disengagement and a lack of motivation to put effort into the work.

Question 4

Which of the following accurately represents the concept of political activism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following accurately represents the...

Question 5

Tomas,a new RN,is finding it difficult to practice because he is encountering,on a daily basis,differences between his learned ideals and what he is witnessing as nursing practice on the unit.This situation is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tomas,a new RN,is finding it difficult to...

Question 6

During a unit meeting you notice that the unit manager,Vivian,presents the current scheduling problems and listens attentively when Yoon,an RN,is speaking,and offers support and advice when Yoon presents new ideas to the group that may alleviate current scheduling problems.You are surprised because Vivian has often confided that she does not like Yoon.Vivian's behaviour is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Vivian's behaviour of presenting current scheduling problems, listening attentively to Yoon, and offering support and advice can be seen as facilitation of participatory decision-making. Despite her personal feelings towards Yoon, Vivian is able to put them aside and focus on finding solutions to the unit's scheduling problems while valuing Yoon's input. This shows a level of maturity and professionalism in handling work relationships.

Question 7

A nurse manager is encountering poor staff morale on her unit.While participating in a baccalaureate course the nurse manager learned that one of the reasons nurses lack power today is probably because of the past.In the early decades of the profession,nurses lacked power because:

Accepted Answer

Historically, the nursing profession has been predominantly female, and societal norms and gender roles during the early decades of the profession often socialized women to be more submissive and less assertive, impacting their ability to exert power within the healthcare setting. This socialization process contributed to the lack of power among nurses in the past.

Question 8

During orientation of new nurse managers,the chief nursing officer stresses strategies that help nurse managers to achieve a powerful image.Which groups of behaviours best contribute to a powerful image for the nurse manager?

Accepted Answer

Greeting patients, families, and colleagues with a handshake and a smile and listening carefully when problems arise are effective strategies for building rapport, trust, and respect. These behaviors demonstrate a personable and attentive approach to leadership, which can be perceived as powerful in the eyes of others. The other options, such as mandating rigid appearance standards or constant smiling, could actually detract from the nurse manager's credibility and respectability.

Question 9

Amy has worked in the dialysis unit on staff for about 12 years.She is frequently consulted by other nursing staff about protocols and policies on the unit.What type of power is Amy using?

Accepted Answer

Amy is using expert power, which is based on her knowledge, skills, and expertise in a particular field. She is consulted by other staff because they recognize her expertise in the dialysis unit.

Question 10

A unit manager watches a new RN graduate interacting with a patient.When the RN comes out of the room,the unit manager says,"I don't know what they taught you in your nursing program,but if I see you do that again I will write you up." This example demonstrates an inappropriate use of which type of power?

Accepted Answer

This example demonstrates the inappropriate use of position power, as the unit manager is using their authority as a superior to threaten the new RN graduate.

Question 11

A nurse manager must implement a 2% budget cut on the nursing unit.Which approach should the manager use to empower the staff of the unit most effectively?

Accepted Answer

By involving the staff in the discussion about the guidelines for the budget cuts, the manager can empower the staff by allowing them to have input and providing them with a sense of ownership in the decision-making process. This approach also demonstrates respect for the expertise of the staff and fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

Question 12

Nurses who engage in infighting seek physician support against nursing colleagues,and avoid membership in nursing organizations:

Accepted Answer

Nurses who engage in infighting and seek physician support against nursing colleagues fail to understand how their lack of unity and failure to exercise power can limit the power of the whole profession. They need to recognize the importance of solidarity and membership in nursing organizations to improve the status of the nursing profession.

Question 13

A staff nurse asks the nurse manager for a few days off for personal reasons.The nurse manager turns in the request to the human resources office with a note indicating that the staff nurse has demonstrated excellent working skills and is a valued employee.The nurse manager has used the influence of her position to help this staff member.Influence is the process of:

Accepted Answer

Influence is the process of using power or authority to affect the behavior or beliefs of others. In this scenario, the nurse manager is using her position of authority to advocate for the staff nurse and influence the decision to grant her request for time off.

Question 14

The institution in which you are a nurse manager has resisted the adoption of new document management software,citing cost as a concern.You meet with other nurse managers who are in favour of the software and prepare a proposal to take to the senior executive with the goal of persuading the executive to adopt the software.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a coalition - a group of individuals or organizations working together towards a common goal. In this case, the nurse managers are working together to persuade the senior executive to adopt new document management software.

Question 15

A nurse manager recognizes the need to expand her professional network as she begins a job search for a middle-management position.Which of the following actions is least likely to expand her job-searching network?

Accepted Answer

Networking is the result of identifying,valuing,and maintaining relationships with a system of individuals who are sources of information,advice,and support.In this situation,the chief nurse executive and the nurse may not have a close or valued relationship given the length of time since last communication,and so this may not be the best person to provide support or advice.

Question 16

A manager relies on his director of nursing (immediate supervisor)for advice about enrolling in graduate school to prepare for a career as a nurse executive.The director may exercise what kinds of power in the relationship with the manager in this advisory situation?

Accepted Answer

In this situation, the director of nursing does not have the power to use rewards or punishment to influence the manager's decision. Instead, the director may exercise perceived power (because of their status as an immediate supervisor), expert power (due to the director's knowledge and expertise in the field), and connection power (because of their ability to provide the manager with relevant information and connect them with resources). Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Question 17

Which of the following interactions is most consistent with the idea of networking?

Accepted Answer

Joining a nurse executive informal lunch meeting to meet other executives for support and for sharing ideas of expertise is the most consistent with the idea of networking as it involves meeting with other professionals to share ideas and gain support. The other choices involve interactions with a limited group of colleagues or online forums which may not provide the same level of personal connection and networking opportunities.

Question 18

One day,at coffee,your coworker suggests that you and she sit with unit members of the hospital research 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:

Accepted Answer

Your coworker's suggestion of sitting with members of the hospital research committee is an example of networking, as it involves actively seeking out and connecting with individuals who share a common interest or goal. This could potentially lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and knowledge sharing in the field of research.

Question 19

Despite repeated invitations by his colleagues to become involved in regional and provincial nursing practice committees,Tom refuses.His reason is that "nursing committees rarely get anything worthwhile done because of politics and conflicts." According to the political activism model,Tom's view of involvement:

Accepted Answer

Tom's view reflects apathy, as he believes that nursing committees are ineffective due to politics and conflicts, and therefore does not want to get involved.

Question 20

Which of the following is an important component of demonstrating a positive professional attitude?

Accepted Answer

A powerful image is an important component of demonstrating a positive professional attitude as it reflects confidence, competence, and professionalism.

Quiz 12: Power, politics, and Influence