ESSENTIALS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly licensed nurse on a med-surg unit is unsure whether to
refuse an assignment that requires a procedure beyond their
current competency. As the charge nurse, you must balance
patient safety, the nurse’s professional growth, and unit staffing.
What is the best initial action?
A. Tell the nurse to perform the procedure and you will
supervise from the hallway.
B. Reassign the patient to a nurse competent in that procedure
and arrange competency training for the new nurse later.
C. Allow the nurse to attempt the procedure to promote
,independence.
D. Ask the physician to postpone the procedure until the new
nurse feels ready.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Reassigning to a competent nurse preserves
patient safety, honors professional accountability, and
supports the novice nurse’s development by arranging
formal competency training—consistent with professional
standards emphasizing specialized knowledge and public
protection.
• A: Supervising from the hallway without ensuring
competence risks patient harm and breaches
accountability.
• C: Allowing an uncertified attempt jeopardizes safety and
violates professional and legal practice expectations.
• D: Physicians may not be able to postpone care; delaying
care risks patient outcomes and shifts responsibility
inappropriately.
Teaching point
Prioritize patient safety; reassign when competence is lacking
and arrange education.
,Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During orientation, a new nurse asks why nursing requires
ongoing continuing education even after licensure. Which
explanation best reflects a core characteristic of a profession?
A. Continuing education increases the nurse’s salary potential.
B. It keeps individual nurses current with evolving body of
knowledge and maintains public trust.
C. It is mainly required to satisfy hospital accreditation
checklists.
D. It reduces the number of nurses needed on a unit.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Professions have a specialized, evolving body
of knowledge; continuing education ensures competence
and sustains public trust—central to professional identity.
, • A: Salary is a secondary outcome; the main professional
justification is maintaining competence.
• C: Accreditation may require CE, but this understates the
profession-driven rationale.
• D: CE does not directly reduce staffing needs and is an
incorrect causal claim.
Teaching point
Continuing education sustains expertise and public trust in the
profession.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A nurse manager must decide whether a unit policy change
should be handled by staff vote or manager directive. Which
leadership choice best reflects the profession’s commitment to
self-regulation and collaborative standards?
A. Unilaterally decree the change to show managerial authority.
B. Seek staff input, consult the professional standards, then
implement collaboratively.
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly licensed nurse on a med-surg unit is unsure whether to
refuse an assignment that requires a procedure beyond their
current competency. As the charge nurse, you must balance
patient safety, the nurse’s professional growth, and unit staffing.
What is the best initial action?
A. Tell the nurse to perform the procedure and you will
supervise from the hallway.
B. Reassign the patient to a nurse competent in that procedure
and arrange competency training for the new nurse later.
C. Allow the nurse to attempt the procedure to promote
,independence.
D. Ask the physician to postpone the procedure until the new
nurse feels ready.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Reassigning to a competent nurse preserves
patient safety, honors professional accountability, and
supports the novice nurse’s development by arranging
formal competency training—consistent with professional
standards emphasizing specialized knowledge and public
protection.
• A: Supervising from the hallway without ensuring
competence risks patient harm and breaches
accountability.
• C: Allowing an uncertified attempt jeopardizes safety and
violates professional and legal practice expectations.
• D: Physicians may not be able to postpone care; delaying
care risks patient outcomes and shifts responsibility
inappropriately.
Teaching point
Prioritize patient safety; reassign when competence is lacking
and arrange education.
,Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During orientation, a new nurse asks why nursing requires
ongoing continuing education even after licensure. Which
explanation best reflects a core characteristic of a profession?
A. Continuing education increases the nurse’s salary potential.
B. It keeps individual nurses current with evolving body of
knowledge and maintains public trust.
C. It is mainly required to satisfy hospital accreditation
checklists.
D. It reduces the number of nurses needed on a unit.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Professions have a specialized, evolving body
of knowledge; continuing education ensures competence
and sustains public trust—central to professional identity.
, • A: Salary is a secondary outcome; the main professional
justification is maintaining competence.
• C: Accreditation may require CE, but this understates the
profession-driven rationale.
• D: CE does not directly reduce staffing needs and is an
incorrect causal claim.
Teaching point
Continuing education sustains expertise and public trust in the
profession.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A nurse manager must decide whether a unit policy change
should be handled by staff vote or manager directive. Which
leadership choice best reflects the profession’s commitment to
self-regulation and collaborative standards?
A. Unilaterally decree the change to show managerial authority.
B. Seek staff input, consult the professional standards, then
implement collaboratively.
