LEADERSHIP ROLES AND MANAGEMENT
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Unit I — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A nurse manager must choose between two staffing models
after reviewing patient acuity and staff skill mix. Data are
incomplete; one option reduces overtime but may lower
,continuity of care. Which decision approach most appropriately
balances speed and evidence-based judgment?
A. Use an intuitive decision based on past experience.
B. Apply a decision grid to compare outcomes and probabilities.
C. Defer decision until perfect data are available.
D. Choose the option favored by most experienced staff.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
A decision grid structures comparisons of alternatives against
explicit criteria (e.g., cost, safety, continuity) enabling
systematic, evidence-informed selection despite imperfect data.
It balances speed with analytic rigor and is suited to staffing
choices.
Rationale — Incorrect
A: Intuition alone risks bias and lacks transparent criteria.
C: Waiting for perfect data delays care and is impractical in
operational contexts.
D: Majority preference may ignore objective criteria and risk
groupthink.
Teaching point
Use decision grids to compare alternatives against defined
criteria.
,Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Unit I — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A charge nurse observes a pattern of medication errors during
night shifts. Which first step, consistent with the traditional
problem-solving process, should the charge nurse take?
A. Implement a new policy to double-check meds at night.
B. Define the problem precisely and collect data on incidents.
C. Retrain all night staff on medication administration.
D. Assign an experienced nurse to supervise every medication
pass.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
Accurate problem definition and data collection are first steps in
the traditional problem-solving process; they reveal root causes
and prevent premature, possibly ineffective interventions.
, Rationale — Incorrect
A/C/D: These are possible interventions but premature without
data; they may waste resources or miss root causes.
Teaching point
Define and measure the problem before selecting interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Unit I — Vicarious Learning to Increase Problem-Solving and
Decision-Making Skills
Stem
A nurse manager wants junior nurses to develop decision-
making skills without exposing patients to risk. Which strategy
aligns best with vicarious learning?
A. Assign high-risk patients to juniors under direct supervision.
B. Require juniors to read case reports independently.
C. Use structured debriefing of senior nurses’ case decisions in
team meetings.
D. Limit juniors to stable patient assignments until they
graduate.
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Unit I — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A nurse manager must choose between two staffing models
after reviewing patient acuity and staff skill mix. Data are
incomplete; one option reduces overtime but may lower
,continuity of care. Which decision approach most appropriately
balances speed and evidence-based judgment?
A. Use an intuitive decision based on past experience.
B. Apply a decision grid to compare outcomes and probabilities.
C. Defer decision until perfect data are available.
D. Choose the option favored by most experienced staff.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
A decision grid structures comparisons of alternatives against
explicit criteria (e.g., cost, safety, continuity) enabling
systematic, evidence-informed selection despite imperfect data.
It balances speed with analytic rigor and is suited to staffing
choices.
Rationale — Incorrect
A: Intuition alone risks bias and lacks transparent criteria.
C: Waiting for perfect data delays care and is impractical in
operational contexts.
D: Majority preference may ignore objective criteria and risk
groupthink.
Teaching point
Use decision grids to compare alternatives against defined
criteria.
,Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Unit I — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A charge nurse observes a pattern of medication errors during
night shifts. Which first step, consistent with the traditional
problem-solving process, should the charge nurse take?
A. Implement a new policy to double-check meds at night.
B. Define the problem precisely and collect data on incidents.
C. Retrain all night staff on medication administration.
D. Assign an experienced nurse to supervise every medication
pass.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
Accurate problem definition and data collection are first steps in
the traditional problem-solving process; they reveal root causes
and prevent premature, possibly ineffective interventions.
, Rationale — Incorrect
A/C/D: These are possible interventions but premature without
data; they may waste resources or miss root causes.
Teaching point
Define and measure the problem before selecting interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Unit I — Vicarious Learning to Increase Problem-Solving and
Decision-Making Skills
Stem
A nurse manager wants junior nurses to develop decision-
making skills without exposing patients to risk. Which strategy
aligns best with vicarious learning?
A. Assign high-risk patients to juniors under direct supervision.
B. Require juniors to read case reports independently.
C. Use structured debriefing of senior nurses’ case decisions in
team meetings.
D. Limit juniors to stable patient assignments until they
graduate.
