ATI Leadership: Conflict Resolution & Team Communication Practice
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse manager is explaining the different stages of conflict to a new nurse.
Which of the following descriptions best defines the ‘Latent Conflict’ stage?
A. The conflict is fully developed and recognized by all parties.
B. The conflict is resolved or managed, and new situations arise as a result.
C. Emotional responses like anxiety and anger are felt by the parties involved.
D. Actual conflict has not yet occurred, but factors exist that create a high probability for it.
Answer: D
Rationale: Latent conflict involves pre-existing conditions (like short staffing or rapid
change) that set the stage for conflict to occur in the future.
2. A nurse disagrees with a coworker’s approach to patient care but decides to
ignore the issue to maintain peace. Which conflict resolution strategy is being
used?
A. Collaborating
B. Avoiding
C. Compromising
D. Competing
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding is a strategy where the individual knows there is a conflict but chooses
not to acknowledge or resolve it.
,3. When using the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Assessment’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and medical history.
B. The nurse’s interpretation of the current situation and clinical data.
C. The specific request for a medication or intervention.
D. The reason the nurse is calling about the patient.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Assessment portion of SBAR involves the nurse’s clinical interpretation of
what is happening based on the situation and background data.
4. A nurse manager is mediating a dispute between two staff nurses and asks
each to give up something of value to reach a solution. This is known as:
A. Compromising
B. Collaborating
C. Smoothing
D. Cooperating
Answer: A
Rationale: Compromising involves each party giving up something of equal value to reach
a settlement.
5. Which conflict stage is characterized by the parties involved being aware that
a conflict exists, but not yet having an emotional reaction to it?
A. Latent conflict
B. Perceived conflict
C. Felt conflict
D. Manifest conflict
Answer: B
Rationale: Perceived conflict occurs when the parties recognize a conflict exists, but no
emotional attachment or stress has developed yet.
, 6. A charge nurse wants to implement a ‘win-win’ strategy to resolve a
scheduling dispute. Which method should the nurse use?
A. Accommodating
B. Competing
C. Collaborating
D. Smoothing
Answer: C
Rationale: Collaborating is a win-win approach where both parties work together to find a
solution that satisfies everyone’s goals.
7. A nurse is being bullied by a more experienced colleague. This type of conflict
is categorized as:
A. Intrapersonal conflict
B. Intergroup conflict
C. Interpersonal conflict
D. Organizational conflict
Answer: C
Rationale: Interpersonal conflict occurs between two or more individuals with differing
values, goals, or beliefs.
8. Which element of the SBAR tool includes providing the patient’s admitting
diagnosis and relevant medical history?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Answer: B
Rationale: Background (B) provides the clinical context, including the diagnosis, history,
and current medications related to the problem.
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse manager is explaining the different stages of conflict to a new nurse.
Which of the following descriptions best defines the ‘Latent Conflict’ stage?
A. The conflict is fully developed and recognized by all parties.
B. The conflict is resolved or managed, and new situations arise as a result.
C. Emotional responses like anxiety and anger are felt by the parties involved.
D. Actual conflict has not yet occurred, but factors exist that create a high probability for it.
Answer: D
Rationale: Latent conflict involves pre-existing conditions (like short staffing or rapid
change) that set the stage for conflict to occur in the future.
2. A nurse disagrees with a coworker’s approach to patient care but decides to
ignore the issue to maintain peace. Which conflict resolution strategy is being
used?
A. Collaborating
B. Avoiding
C. Compromising
D. Competing
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding is a strategy where the individual knows there is a conflict but chooses
not to acknowledge or resolve it.
,3. When using the SBAR communication tool, which information belongs in the
‘Assessment’ section?
A. The patient’s current vital signs and medical history.
B. The nurse’s interpretation of the current situation and clinical data.
C. The specific request for a medication or intervention.
D. The reason the nurse is calling about the patient.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Assessment portion of SBAR involves the nurse’s clinical interpretation of
what is happening based on the situation and background data.
4. A nurse manager is mediating a dispute between two staff nurses and asks
each to give up something of value to reach a solution. This is known as:
A. Compromising
B. Collaborating
C. Smoothing
D. Cooperating
Answer: A
Rationale: Compromising involves each party giving up something of equal value to reach
a settlement.
5. Which conflict stage is characterized by the parties involved being aware that
a conflict exists, but not yet having an emotional reaction to it?
A. Latent conflict
B. Perceived conflict
C. Felt conflict
D. Manifest conflict
Answer: B
Rationale: Perceived conflict occurs when the parties recognize a conflict exists, but no
emotional attachment or stress has developed yet.
, 6. A charge nurse wants to implement a ‘win-win’ strategy to resolve a
scheduling dispute. Which method should the nurse use?
A. Accommodating
B. Competing
C. Collaborating
D. Smoothing
Answer: C
Rationale: Collaborating is a win-win approach where both parties work together to find a
solution that satisfies everyone’s goals.
7. A nurse is being bullied by a more experienced colleague. This type of conflict
is categorized as:
A. Intrapersonal conflict
B. Intergroup conflict
C. Interpersonal conflict
D. Organizational conflict
Answer: C
Rationale: Interpersonal conflict occurs between two or more individuals with differing
values, goals, or beliefs.
8. Which element of the SBAR tool includes providing the patient’s admitting
diagnosis and relevant medical history?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Answer: B
Rationale: Background (B) provides the clinical context, including the diagnosis, history,
and current medications related to the problem.
