Question 1

The nurse correctly defines leadership when stating:

Accepted Answer

Leaders have the ability to influence and motivate others while maintaining relationships to accomplish a goal. Management is the process of coordinating others and directing them toward a common goal. Management is focused on the task at hand. A manager holds a formal position of authority in an organization; that position includes accountability and responsibility for accomplishing the tasks within the work environment. Managers demonstrate accountability when they are answerable for their own actions and the actions of those under their direction.

Question 2

The nurse is acting in the planning function as a manager. Which of the following stages should be completed first?

Accepted Answer

The planning function of a manager is comparable to the assessment, diagnosis, and planning portions of the nursing process. It includes four stages: (1) Setting goals, (2) assessing the current situation and future trends, (3) setting the plan, and (4) converting the plan into an action statement.

Question 3

The nurse manager of a unit is sharing the most recent results of a patient satisfaction survey to motivate staff. This nurse manager is a _________________leader.

Accepted Answer

Transformational leaders use methods that inspire people to follow their lead. Transformational leaders work toward transforming an organization with the help of others. Transactional leaders use reward and punishment to gain the cooperation of followers. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. Situational theories suggest that leaders change their approach depending on the situation.

Question 4

The leadership theory that assumes that leaders are born with certain leadership skill that few people possess is known as:

Accepted Answer

Trait theories assume that leaders are born with the personality traits necessary for leadership, which few people are thought to possess. Behavioral theories assume that leaders learn certain behaviors. These theories focus on what leaders do, rather than on what characteristics they innately possess. Situational theories suggest that leaders change their approach depending on the situation. Transformational leaders use methods that inspire people to follow their lead. Transformational leaders work toward transforming an organization with the help of others.

Question 5

Upon entering a patient's room, the nurse notes that the patient is unresponsive. The nurse takes control and begins to direct other members of the health care team during this crisis. This style of leadership is:

Accepted Answer

The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. The participative or democratic leader believes that employees are motivated by internal means and want to participate in decision making. The primary function of the leader in this situation is to foster communication and develop relationships with followers. Like the democratic leader, the permissive or laissez-faire leader thinks that employees are motivated by their own desire to do well. The laissez-faire leader provides little or no direction to followers, who develop their own goals and make their own. Like the autocratic leader, the bureaucratic leader assumes that employees are motivated by external forces. This type of leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules.

Question 6

Communication skills are most essential for the nurse:

Accepted Answer

Communication is the foundation of nursing practice. Communication skills are essential for the work of the nurse manager and every nurse. By developing excellent communication skills, the nurse can obtain information, relay a plan, delegate, and evaluate a plan of care. The nurse develops relationships-with patients, families, co-workers, and other health care professionals and managers-that are necessary for functioning in the work environment.

Question 7

The unit charge nurse uses reward and punishment to gain the cooperation of the nurses assigned to the unit. What type of leader is this charge nurse?

Accepted Answer

Transactional leaders use reward and punishment to gain the cooperation of followers. Transformational leaders use methods that inspire people to follow their lead. Transformational leaders work toward transforming an organization with the help of others. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. Situational theories suggest that leaders change their approach depending on the situation.

Question 8

According to Fayol, controlling is a function of management. Controlling compares to what phase of the nursing process?

Accepted Answer

The act of controlling involves comparing expected results of the planned work with the actual results. In the nursing process, evaluation is comparable to controlling. The planning function of a manager is comparable to the assessment, diagnosis, and planning portions of the nursing process.

Question 9

Hiscock and Shuldham state that, in order to deliver quality care, it is important for nurse leaders to be focused on the:

Accepted Answer

Hiscock and Shuldham state that it is important for nurse leaders to be focused on the patients rather than themselves to deliver quality, patient-focused care. The patient is the center and purpose of the process. All others (self, staff, physician) exist to provide service to the patient.

Question 10

The nurse manager of the emergency room believes that efficiency is the expected standard for her department. She also believes that efficiency lies in following established rules, policies, and guidelines. The only way to change procedures is to changes rules, policies, and guidelines. In order to run the emergency room with this philosophy, the nurse manager must take on the role of:

Accepted Answer

Like the autocratic leader, the bureaucratic leader assumes that employees are motivated by external forces. This type of leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules. The permissive or laissez-faire leader thinks that employees are motivated by their own desire to do well. The laissez-faire leader provides little or no direction to followers, who develop their own goals and make their own. The participative or democratic leader believes that employees are motivated by internal means and want to participate in decision making. The primary function of the leader in this situation is to foster communication and develop relationships with followers. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates.

Question 11

For patient care to be completed in a safe and timely manner, it is sometimes necessary for the nurse to delegate tasks to other health care providers. The ANA describes delegation as:

Accepted Answer

For patient care to be completed in a safe and timely manner, it is sometimes necessary for the nurse to delegate tasks to other health care providers. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers support in this process. In their joint statement (ANA and NCSBN, 2005), the ANA describes delegation as the transfer of responsibility, and the NCSBN calls it a transfer of authority. This transfer gives a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation. The nurse retains accountability for the delegation. Any significant findings during the care such as alterations in skin integrity, shortness of breath, or changes in a patient's condition should be reported to the nurse. The nurse is then responsible for assessing the alterations and addressing them in the plan of care.

Question 12

Which of the following has been done improperly?

Accepted Answer

The person to whom the assignment was delegated cannot delegate that assignment to someone else. If the person cannot carry out the assignment, the individual needs to notify the delegating RN so that the task may be reassigned or completed by the RN. The RN must remember to delegate tasks that do not require nursing judgment. Only tasks that are routine such as bathing, monitoring intake and output, and assisting with mobility, and do not require variation from a standardized procedure should be delegated.

Question 13

The nurse leader is conducting a staff meeting. During the meeting, staff members have verbalized dissatisfaction with the staffing pattern created by the nurse leader. The nurse listens intently as the staff come up with other options. The nurse leader is demonstrating:

Accepted Answer

Openness refers to the leader's ability to listen to other points of view without prejudging or discouraging them. An effective leader considers others' opinions with an open mind because a wider variety of solutions to problems is offered. Openness by the nurse leader encourages creative solutions by providing an environment in which people feel comfortable "thinking outside the box." Integrity is the quality of having clear ethical principles and aligning one's actions with the stated values. Dedication is the ability to spend the time necessary to accomplish a task. Magnanimity means giving credit where credit is due. Good leaders reflect the work and success of accomplishing a goal by crediting those who helped reach it.

Question 14

The terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably. Although these concepts are related, they are different in definition and in practice. Leadership behaviors and management skills complement each other. However,

Accepted Answer

A manager may not possess leadership traits, and a leader may lack management skills. Management is the process of coordinating others and directing them toward a common goal. Leadership focuses on relationships, or using interpersonal skills to persuade others to work toward a common goal. Leaders are visionaries who set the overall direction for a group or organization.

Question 15

The nurse has made patient care assignments and expects all team members to set their own goals for the day and manage their time to meet their goals. The nurse is implementing what style of leadership?

Accepted Answer

Like the democratic leader, the permissive or laissez-faire leader thinks that employees are motivated by their own desire to do well. The laissez-faire leader provides little or no direction to followers, who develop their own goals and make their own. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. The participative or democratic leader believes that employees are motivated by internal means and want to participate in decision making. The primary function of the leader in this situation is to foster communication and develop relationships with followers. Like the autocratic leader, the bureaucratic leader assumes that employees are motivated by external forces. This type of leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules.

Question 16

The nurse manager is considered a "great communicator." She can be found on the unit talking with staff, keeping them informed and asking their opinions. She believes that her nurses are motivated by internal means and that they want to participate in making decisions about the unit although the final decision always rests with her. This nurse manager is what type of leader?

Accepted Answer

The participative or democratic leader believes that employees are motivated by internal means and want to participate in decision making. The primary function of the leader in this situation is to foster communication and develop relationships with followers. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. Like the autocratic leader, the bureaucratic leader assumes that employees are motivated by external forces. This type of leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules. Like the democratic leader, the permissive or laissez-faire leader thinks that employees are motivated by their own desire to do well. The laissez-faire leader provides little or no direction to followers, who develop their own goals and make their own decisions.

Question 17

Which of the following was delegated inappropriately?

Accepted Answer

The RN must remember to delegate tasks that do not require nursing judgment. Interpretation of abnormal vital signs requires assessment skills possessed by the RN only. Only tasks that are routine and do not require variation from a standardized procedure, such as providing hygiene, assisting with eating, and toileting, should be delegated.

Question 18

A patient is found unresponsive and pulseless. The nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and calls for help. When help arrives, the nurse should take on the role of:

Accepted Answer

Although autocratic leadership is a strict form of leadership, it is useful in crisis situations. A nurse may act as an autocratic leader when taking charge after a patient is found unresponsive. In this situation, it is helpful to have a leader who takes control and directs other members of the health care team. Democratic leaders may see themselves as equals with other team members and may consult with other nurses, exhibiting a democratic form of leadership. This style of leadership can be used in unit council meetings where nurses collaborate together to identify solutions to common problems. A nurse in a leadership position who uses the laissez-faire style of leadership assigns patient care and expects all team members to set goals for the day and manage their time to complete the assignment. Successful implementation of this leadership style in nursing requires a highly efficient and reliable staff, such as seen in some specialized OR nursing teams with a history of working together on a set type of cases. The bureaucratic leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules.

Question 19

The manager of the intensive care unit is accepting an award for excellence and efficiency in the provision of patient care. The manager accepts the award for the unit and cites the contributions of her staff since, without their expertise and dedication, the award may not have been achieved. The manager is demonstrating the quality of:

Accepted Answer

Magnanimity means giving credit where credit is due. Good leaders reflect the work and success of accomplishing a goal by crediting those who helped reach it. Dedication is the ability to spend the time necessary to accomplish a task. Effective leaders persist in working toward accomplishment of a goal even when doing so is difficult. Openness refers to the leader's ability to listen to other points of view without prejudging or discouraging them. An effective leader considers others' opinions with an open mind because a wider variety of solutions to problems is offered. Openness by the nurse leader encourages creative solutions by providing an environment in which people feel comfortable "thinking outside the box." Creativity is the ability to think differently. A creative leader examines all possible solutions to a problem even if at first glance they appear to be unrealistic or outside the norm. This ability allows the nurse leader to inspire followers to consider broader visions and goals.

Question 20

The nurse is acting as a leader in the role of charge nurse and notes that the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on the floor are stressed related to their increased workload. The nurse changes the original planned approach based on the presenting situation. What theory of leadership is being implemented?

Accepted Answer

Situational theories suggest that leaders change their approach depending on the situation. Transactional leaders use reward and punishment to gain the cooperation of followers. Transformational leaders use methods that inspire people to follow their lead. Transformational leaders work toward transforming an organization with the help of others. The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates.

Quiz 12: Leadership and Management