Question 1

A nurse belongs to several professional organizations,serving on a state-level committee of one group and on two task forces at work.The nurse is committed to a range of health issues and knows the state senator from the nurse's district,as well as the name of the representative in Washington,DC.This nurse exemplifies which level of political activism in nursing?

Accepted Answer

Political involvement is a professional responsibility and nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership.This nurse exemplifies several of the skills associated with political astuteness.

Question 2

Two nurses approach their manager about a conflict regarding the next month's schedule.The nurses are talking loudly and at the same time.The manager most effectively uses communication skills to resolve the conflict by:

Accepted Answer

Negotiation involves the presentation of an opening position with each party,then moving on until they achieve a mutually agreeable result or until one or both move away from a failed negotiation.Negotiation occurs when one party has something that the other party values,such as a desired schedule.

Question 3

Your colleague Mary,a recent graduate,announces one day that she intends to leave nursing in 3 to 4 months to pursue a position in marketing.While at your agency,she plans to give patients excellent care and to learn as much as she can,because "Who knows? Nursing is a great job with a great pay and I may return someday." Mary's statements most accurately exemplify which orientation to the concept of nursing? Nursing as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Concern with nursing as potentially one in a series of possibly well-paid jobs reflects a view of nursing as an occupation.

Question 4

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

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.Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed.Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment.Successful networking involves sharing similar ideas and maintaining relationships within a system of individuals who serve as sources of information,advice,and support.

Question 5

A nurse manager is experiencing poor staff morale on her unit.While participating in a baccalaureate course,the nurse manager had 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

Nursing mirrored the lack of legal,social,and political power that was prevalent in the early decades of the profession.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Empowerment is the process of exercising one's own power to facilitate the participation of others in decision making and taking action so they are free to exercise power It means releasing authority and enabling others to have accountability,for participation and decisions.

Question 7

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.Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed.Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment.

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 behaviors best contribute to a powerful image for the nurse manager?

Accepted Answer

A powerful and positive approach is communicated through confident behaviors such as greeting others,smiling,and showing respect for the opinions of others through listening.Grooming and dress need to be clean,neat,and appropriate to the situation.Speech needs to be firm and confident.

Question 9

Sondra,a new graduate,recently began a position as a registered nurse in a rural hospital,where she is the youngest and newest staff member.Although she has limited experience,she has a strong knowledge base,is confident,and was considered to have strong entry-level skills on graduation.Sondra meets with her former instructor and confides that she is very frustrated that others do not seem to accept her leadership.What might you suggest that would help Sondra to understand what is happening in terms of power and influence?

Accepted Answer

Developing organizational savvy includes identifying the real decision makers and those persons who have a high level of influence with the decision makers.Recognize the informal leaders within any organization may have more power than the formal leader because of more knowledge of the organization,more informational power,or more expertise.

Question 10

During a unit meeting,you notice that Vivian listens attentively when Mary is speaking and offers support and advice when Mary presents ideas to the group.You are surprised because Vivian has often confided that she does not like Mary.Vivian's behavior is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Collegial behavior requires respect,not friendship.

Question 11

Lucy,head nurse on the surgical unit,works with her staff to find ways in which they can work together with other disciplines to provide more effective care for patients on the unit.Lucy likely knows her power is:

Accepted Answer

Those like Lucy,who share power,tend to be the strong collaborators and see power as an unlimited quantity when shared.Empowered nurses make professional practice possible,creating a culture that satisfies all nurses.

Question 12

The institution where you are a nurse manager has resisted the adoption of a new document management software,citing cost as a concern.You meet with other nurse managers who are in favor 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

The formation of temporary groups to achieve particular goals involves the development of coalitions.

Question 13

One day,at coffee,your co-worker 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

Meeting individuals outside the normal workgroup to share ideas and gain support and encouragement is an example of networking.

Question 14

A manager relies on his director (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

Because the director is in a leadership role,he comes with knowledge or expertise that is required to assume a leadership role,and he has information that he is willing to share,which gives him the power of information.The employee sees him as credible and seeks his advice,which gives him referent power.

Question 15

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 involves the use of power to effect certain outcomes-in this situation,to arrange days off for a valued employee.

Question 16

A nurse is participating in a baccalaureate course.For the class,she has to attend the legislative session regarding the new role of medication assistants.Nurses should be involved in shaping public policy primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Nurses can no longer be passive observers of the political world.Political involvement is a professional responsibility.Nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership.

Question 17

Nurses who engage in in-fighting,seek physician support against nursing colleagues,and avoid political advocacy through membership in nursing organizations:

Accepted Answer

Becoming an active,productive,collegial member of groups and teams within the workplace and in professional associations and community groups ensures that the nursing voice is heard on healthcare issues and problems and is an appropriate exercise of power.

Question 18

Literature on oppression in nursing has:

Accepted Answer

Oppressed group behavior is apparent when a population is dominated by another group and begins to take on the characteristics of the dominant group (Roberts,1993),often bullying and abusing their peers.In the twenty-first century,bullying and incivility have become epidemic in both nursing education and clinical settings.

Question 19

The workgroup on NU 23 is marked by apathy toward the ward's patients,high absenteeism,open conflict among team members,and high turnover of personnel,including managers.The underlying behavior in this situation may be characterized as:

Accepted Answer

Emotions such as anger and apathy result from a workplace in which powerlessness is exhibited.

Question 20

Politics is usually:

Accepted Answer

Politics involves social interaction among organizations and as such,politics permeates in all organizations,workplaces,legislatures,professions,and even families.

Quiz 10: Power,Politics,and Influence