APUS NURS 450 Final Exam | 2026/2027 Edition:
Nursing Leadership & Management Questions
and Answers with Rationale
Part 1: Leadership Styles & Theories (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse manager is implementing transformational leadership. Which action
best exemplifies this style?
A. Assigning tasks based on seniority
B. Using rewards and punishments to motivate staff
C. Inspiring staff to exceed their own individual performance goals
D. Maintaining strict adherence to hospital policies without deviation
Answer: C. Inspiring staff to exceed their own individual performance goals
Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on inspiration, vision, and empowering
staff to achieve higher levels of performance. In contrast, transactional leadership relies on
rewards and punishments, and authoritative leadership uses strict control and direction .
, 2. A unit manager is using situational leadership. A new graduate nurse is highly
motivated but lacks experience in wound VAC changes. Which leadership style
should the manager use?
A. Delegating
B. Telling
C. Participating
D. Laissez-faire
Answer: C. Participating
Rationale: In situational leadership, a nurse who is highly motivated but has low
competence needs a "Participating" style (high support, low direction). This approach
provides guidance while empowering the new nurse to build confidence and skills through
collaboration .
3. According to Kouzes and Posner's model, which behavior is a key practice of
exemplary leadership?
A. Maintaining the status quo
B. Enabling others to act
C. Avoiding risk at all costs
D. Centralizing decision-making
Answer: B. Enabling others to act
, Rationale: Kouzes and Posner's model emphasizes enabling others to act as a core
practice of exemplary leadership. This behavior fosters collaboration, trust, and shared
power within the healthcare team .
4. A nurse leader advocates for shared governance. What is the primary goal?
A. Reducing nursing salaries
B. Giving staff nurses control over practice decisions
C. Eliminating nurse manager positions
D. Increasing physician authority on patient care units
Answer: B. Giving staff nurses control over practice decisions
Rationale: Shared governance empowers clinical nurses in decisions about practice,
quality, and professional development, promoting ownership and accountability at the
bedside .
5. A charge nurse uses emotional intelligence to de-escalate an angry family
member. Which action demonstrates self-regulation?
A. Yelling back to establish authority
B. Taking a deep breath and stating, "I can see you are upset. Let me help."
C. Walking away without explanation
D. Calling security immediately without speaking to the family
, Answer: B. Taking a deep breath and stating, "I can see you are upset. Let me
help."
Rationale: Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's own emotions and respond
calmly in stressful situations. This approach demonstrates emotional intelligence and de-
escalates conflict through empathy and active listening .
Part 2: Delegation & Scope of Practice
6. The NCSBN rights of delegation include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Right task
B. Right person
C. Right salary
D. Right communication
Answer: C. Right salary
Rationale: The five rights of delegation are: Right Task, Right Circumstances, Right
Person, Right Communication, and Right Supervision/Evaluation. Salary is not a criterion
for appropriate delegation .
7. Which task CANNOT be delegated to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Nursing Leadership & Management Questions
and Answers with Rationale
Part 1: Leadership Styles & Theories (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse manager is implementing transformational leadership. Which action
best exemplifies this style?
A. Assigning tasks based on seniority
B. Using rewards and punishments to motivate staff
C. Inspiring staff to exceed their own individual performance goals
D. Maintaining strict adherence to hospital policies without deviation
Answer: C. Inspiring staff to exceed their own individual performance goals
Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on inspiration, vision, and empowering
staff to achieve higher levels of performance. In contrast, transactional leadership relies on
rewards and punishments, and authoritative leadership uses strict control and direction .
, 2. A unit manager is using situational leadership. A new graduate nurse is highly
motivated but lacks experience in wound VAC changes. Which leadership style
should the manager use?
A. Delegating
B. Telling
C. Participating
D. Laissez-faire
Answer: C. Participating
Rationale: In situational leadership, a nurse who is highly motivated but has low
competence needs a "Participating" style (high support, low direction). This approach
provides guidance while empowering the new nurse to build confidence and skills through
collaboration .
3. According to Kouzes and Posner's model, which behavior is a key practice of
exemplary leadership?
A. Maintaining the status quo
B. Enabling others to act
C. Avoiding risk at all costs
D. Centralizing decision-making
Answer: B. Enabling others to act
, Rationale: Kouzes and Posner's model emphasizes enabling others to act as a core
practice of exemplary leadership. This behavior fosters collaboration, trust, and shared
power within the healthcare team .
4. A nurse leader advocates for shared governance. What is the primary goal?
A. Reducing nursing salaries
B. Giving staff nurses control over practice decisions
C. Eliminating nurse manager positions
D. Increasing physician authority on patient care units
Answer: B. Giving staff nurses control over practice decisions
Rationale: Shared governance empowers clinical nurses in decisions about practice,
quality, and professional development, promoting ownership and accountability at the
bedside .
5. A charge nurse uses emotional intelligence to de-escalate an angry family
member. Which action demonstrates self-regulation?
A. Yelling back to establish authority
B. Taking a deep breath and stating, "I can see you are upset. Let me help."
C. Walking away without explanation
D. Calling security immediately without speaking to the family
, Answer: B. Taking a deep breath and stating, "I can see you are upset. Let me
help."
Rationale: Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's own emotions and respond
calmly in stressful situations. This approach demonstrates emotional intelligence and de-
escalates conflict through empathy and active listening .
Part 2: Delegation & Scope of Practice
6. The NCSBN rights of delegation include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Right task
B. Right person
C. Right salary
D. Right communication
Answer: C. Right salary
Rationale: The five rights of delegation are: Right Task, Right Circumstances, Right
Person, Right Communication, and Right Supervision/Evaluation. Salary is not a criterion
for appropriate delegation .
7. Which task CANNOT be delegated to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
