APUS NURS 450 FINAL EXAM (PDF) | 2026/2027 | NURSING
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT Q&A | NURSING | QUESTIONS
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A nurse manager who dictates all tasks and expects strict obedience
is using which leadership style?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make decisions unilaterally and expect
subordinates to follow orders without input, maintaining strict control
over the work environment.
2. Which leadership theory proposes that leaders are born with innate
traits that make them effective?
A) Behavioral Theory
B) Great Man Theory
C) Situational Theory
D) Transformational Theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Great Man Theory suggests that leadership qualities are
inherent and that great leaders are born, not made, possessing natural
traits like charisma and intelligence.
,3. A nurse uses active listening and empathy when a coworker
expresses frustration. This is an example of which management
function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Directing
D) Controlling
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Directing involves leading, motivating, and communicating
with staff, which includes using interpersonal skills like active listening
and empathy to guide and support them.
4. According to Maslow's hierarchy, a nurse who feels respected by
peers and managers is meeting which level of need?
A) Physiological
B) Safety
C) Love and Belonging
D) Esteem
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Esteem needs include feelings of achievement, recognition,
and respect from others, which are met when a nurse feels valued and
respected by colleagues and managers.
5. A hospital administrator evaluates the effectiveness of a new fall-
prevention program by comparing fall rates before and after
implementation. This reflects which management function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Directing
D) Controlling
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Controlling involves monitoring performance, comparing it
with established standards, and making corrections as needed, which is
precisely what evaluating program outcomes entails.
6. A nurse manager assigns a float nurse to a unit based on the unit's
high acuity and the nurse's experience. This action reflects which
management function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Staffing
D) Directing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staffing involves recruiting, selecting, and assigning
personnel to ensure the right number and mix of staff are available to
meet patient care needs.
7. A leader who focuses on exchanging rewards for performance is
demonstrating which type of leadership?
A) Transformational
B) Transactional
C) Servant
D) Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership is based on a series of exchanges
between leader and follower, where compliance is achieved through
rewards and punishments.
8. A nursing leader advocates for a new evidence-based practice to
improve patient outcomes despite resistance. This leader is primarily
, demonstrating which trait?
A) Indifference
B) Conformity
C) Courage
D) Passivity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Courage in leadership involves challenging the status quo,
taking risks, and advocating for change, even when facing opposition or
uncertainty.
9. A new graduate nurse learns the unit's routine by watching and
mimicking the charge nurse. This is an example of which learning
theory?
A) Cognitive Theory
B) Social Learning Theory
C) Behaviorism
D) Constructivism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social Learning Theory posits that people learn from one
another through observation, imitation, and modeling, which is the
process described.
10. A nurse manager uses a decision-making matrix to evaluate
potential solutions for a staffing shortage. This approach is
characteristic of which decision-making model?
A) Intuitive
B) Rational
C) Political
D) Garbage Can
Correct Answer: B
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT Q&A | NURSING | QUESTIONS
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. A nurse manager who dictates all tasks and expects strict obedience
is using which leadership style?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make decisions unilaterally and expect
subordinates to follow orders without input, maintaining strict control
over the work environment.
2. Which leadership theory proposes that leaders are born with innate
traits that make them effective?
A) Behavioral Theory
B) Great Man Theory
C) Situational Theory
D) Transformational Theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Great Man Theory suggests that leadership qualities are
inherent and that great leaders are born, not made, possessing natural
traits like charisma and intelligence.
,3. A nurse uses active listening and empathy when a coworker
expresses frustration. This is an example of which management
function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Directing
D) Controlling
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Directing involves leading, motivating, and communicating
with staff, which includes using interpersonal skills like active listening
and empathy to guide and support them.
4. According to Maslow's hierarchy, a nurse who feels respected by
peers and managers is meeting which level of need?
A) Physiological
B) Safety
C) Love and Belonging
D) Esteem
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Esteem needs include feelings of achievement, recognition,
and respect from others, which are met when a nurse feels valued and
respected by colleagues and managers.
5. A hospital administrator evaluates the effectiveness of a new fall-
prevention program by comparing fall rates before and after
implementation. This reflects which management function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Directing
D) Controlling
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Controlling involves monitoring performance, comparing it
with established standards, and making corrections as needed, which is
precisely what evaluating program outcomes entails.
6. A nurse manager assigns a float nurse to a unit based on the unit's
high acuity and the nurse's experience. This action reflects which
management function?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Staffing
D) Directing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staffing involves recruiting, selecting, and assigning
personnel to ensure the right number and mix of staff are available to
meet patient care needs.
7. A leader who focuses on exchanging rewards for performance is
demonstrating which type of leadership?
A) Transformational
B) Transactional
C) Servant
D) Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership is based on a series of exchanges
between leader and follower, where compliance is achieved through
rewards and punishments.
8. A nursing leader advocates for a new evidence-based practice to
improve patient outcomes despite resistance. This leader is primarily
, demonstrating which trait?
A) Indifference
B) Conformity
C) Courage
D) Passivity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Courage in leadership involves challenging the status quo,
taking risks, and advocating for change, even when facing opposition or
uncertainty.
9. A new graduate nurse learns the unit's routine by watching and
mimicking the charge nurse. This is an example of which learning
theory?
A) Cognitive Theory
B) Social Learning Theory
C) Behaviorism
D) Constructivism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social Learning Theory posits that people learn from one
another through observation, imitation, and modeling, which is the
process described.
10. A nurse manager uses a decision-making matrix to evaluate
potential solutions for a staffing shortage. This approach is
characteristic of which decision-making model?
A) Intuitive
B) Rational
C) Political
D) Garbage Can
Correct Answer: B
