2026 RN ATI Leadership Proctored Exam with NGN
150 Questions & Answers with Italicized Rationales
SECTION 1: LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1: What is the primary difference between a leader and a manager?
A) Leaders focus on maintaining the status quo; managers focus on change
B) Leaders influence and inspire others; managers coordinate resources and processes
C) Leaders control outcomes; managers delegate tasks
D) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A leader inspires, motivates, and influences others toward a shared vision, while
a manager plans, organizes, and coordinates resources to achieve organizational goals.
Leadership is about influencing people, while management focuses on systems and
processes .
Question 2: Which leadership style is characterized by making decisions
independently and then notifying staff of the decision?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves high control, with the leader making decisions
alone and expecting compliance. This style is most appropriate during emergencies when
rapid decisions are needed .
,Question 3: A nurse manager who shares responsibility with the staff and guides
the team toward reaching objectives is using which leadership style?
A) Laissez-faire
B) Democratic
C) Autocratic
D) Transactional
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages participation, collaboration, and shared
decision-making. This style values input from team members and fosters a sense of
ownership in outcomes .
Question 4: A nurse leader uses evidence-based data before changing staffing
patterns. This demonstrates:
A) Autocratic leadership
B) Data-driven decision making
C) Avoidance
D) Conflict escalation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using evidence-based data to guide decisions demonstrates data-driven
decision making, which is essential for quality improvement and optimal client outcomes.
This approach is consistent with transformational leadership .
Question 5: Which behavior demonstrates transformational leadership?
A) Encouraging innovation and professional growth
B) Avoiding staff involvement
C) Maintaining strict control over all decisions
D) Focusing only on daily tasks
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership involves inspiring and motivating staff to achieve
beyond expectations, encouraging innovation, and promoting professional growth .
Question 6: A nurse manager is implementing a new evidence-based protocol.
According to Lewin's change theory, which action occurs during the "unfreezing"
stage?
A) Reinforcing the new protocol through audits
B) Recognizing that the current practice is not optimal
C) Training staff on the new protocol
D) Evaluating outcomes of the new protocol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unfreezing is the stage where awareness of the need for change is created by
showing that current practices are inadequate. This prepares the team for change .
Question 7: A staff nurse is approached by a new graduate nurse who wants to
improve time management. Which recommendation is most effective?
A) Complete all non-essential tasks first
B) Take time at the beginning of the shift to plan and prioritize
C) Wait until the end of the shift to document care
D) Avoid delegating tasks to assistive personnel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beginning the shift with a few minutes of planning and prioritization is an
efficient nursing practice that prevents crisis-mode care and improves time management .
, Question 8: A nurse manager is trying to motivate staff to improve hand hygiene
compliance. According to expectancy theory, the manager should focus on:
A) Increasing the number of hand hygiene signs in the unit
B) Making sure staff believe their efforts will lead to better patient outcomes
C) Punishing staff who do not comply
D) Ignoring the issue until it becomes a problem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expectancy theory emphasizes that motivation increases when individuals
believe their effort will produce a desired outcome. Staff need to see the connection
between hand hygiene and improved patient outcomes to be motivated .
Question 9: A nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity by:
A) Telling a client the truth about their diagnosis
B) Keeping a promise to return with pain medication within 15 minutes
C) Dividing resources fairly among all clients
D) Avoiding harm to the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity means keeping one's promises to the client about care that was offered.
Keeping a promise to return with pain medication within 15 minutes demonstrates
fidelity .
Question 10: A charge nurse is reviewing the stages of team formation. Which
stage is characterized by conflict arising among team members?
A) Forming
B) Storming
C) Norming
D) Adjourning
Correct Answer: B
150 Questions & Answers with Italicized Rationales
SECTION 1: LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1: What is the primary difference between a leader and a manager?
A) Leaders focus on maintaining the status quo; managers focus on change
B) Leaders influence and inspire others; managers coordinate resources and processes
C) Leaders control outcomes; managers delegate tasks
D) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A leader inspires, motivates, and influences others toward a shared vision, while
a manager plans, organizes, and coordinates resources to achieve organizational goals.
Leadership is about influencing people, while management focuses on systems and
processes .
Question 2: Which leadership style is characterized by making decisions
independently and then notifying staff of the decision?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves high control, with the leader making decisions
alone and expecting compliance. This style is most appropriate during emergencies when
rapid decisions are needed .
,Question 3: A nurse manager who shares responsibility with the staff and guides
the team toward reaching objectives is using which leadership style?
A) Laissez-faire
B) Democratic
C) Autocratic
D) Transactional
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages participation, collaboration, and shared
decision-making. This style values input from team members and fosters a sense of
ownership in outcomes .
Question 4: A nurse leader uses evidence-based data before changing staffing
patterns. This demonstrates:
A) Autocratic leadership
B) Data-driven decision making
C) Avoidance
D) Conflict escalation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using evidence-based data to guide decisions demonstrates data-driven
decision making, which is essential for quality improvement and optimal client outcomes.
This approach is consistent with transformational leadership .
Question 5: Which behavior demonstrates transformational leadership?
A) Encouraging innovation and professional growth
B) Avoiding staff involvement
C) Maintaining strict control over all decisions
D) Focusing only on daily tasks
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership involves inspiring and motivating staff to achieve
beyond expectations, encouraging innovation, and promoting professional growth .
Question 6: A nurse manager is implementing a new evidence-based protocol.
According to Lewin's change theory, which action occurs during the "unfreezing"
stage?
A) Reinforcing the new protocol through audits
B) Recognizing that the current practice is not optimal
C) Training staff on the new protocol
D) Evaluating outcomes of the new protocol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unfreezing is the stage where awareness of the need for change is created by
showing that current practices are inadequate. This prepares the team for change .
Question 7: A staff nurse is approached by a new graduate nurse who wants to
improve time management. Which recommendation is most effective?
A) Complete all non-essential tasks first
B) Take time at the beginning of the shift to plan and prioritize
C) Wait until the end of the shift to document care
D) Avoid delegating tasks to assistive personnel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beginning the shift with a few minutes of planning and prioritization is an
efficient nursing practice that prevents crisis-mode care and improves time management .
, Question 8: A nurse manager is trying to motivate staff to improve hand hygiene
compliance. According to expectancy theory, the manager should focus on:
A) Increasing the number of hand hygiene signs in the unit
B) Making sure staff believe their efforts will lead to better patient outcomes
C) Punishing staff who do not comply
D) Ignoring the issue until it becomes a problem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expectancy theory emphasizes that motivation increases when individuals
believe their effort will produce a desired outcome. Staff need to see the connection
between hand hygiene and improved patient outcomes to be motivated .
Question 9: A nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity by:
A) Telling a client the truth about their diagnosis
B) Keeping a promise to return with pain medication within 15 minutes
C) Dividing resources fairly among all clients
D) Avoiding harm to the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity means keeping one's promises to the client about care that was offered.
Keeping a promise to return with pain medication within 15 minutes demonstrates
fidelity .
Question 10: A charge nurse is reviewing the stages of team formation. Which
stage is characterized by conflict arising among team members?
A) Forming
B) Storming
C) Norming
D) Adjourning
Correct Answer: B
