NUR 204 / NUR204 HESI Leadership &
Management Exam 2026/2027 | Verified
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Fortis
| Graded A+
Section 1: Leadership Theories & Styles (Questions 1-30)
1. ____ is the ability to influence the behavior of others.
A) Management
B) Leadership
C) Delegation
D) Supervision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leadership is defined as the ability to influence the behavior of others.
Management focuses on planning, organizing, and controlling resources, while leadership
emphasizes inspiring and motivating people .
, 2. What are the three competencies of leadership?
A) Diagnose, adapt, communicate
B) Plan, organize, control
C) Direct, delegate, discipline
D) Assess, intervene, evaluate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The three competencies of leadership are diagnose (understand the situation),
adapt (adjust behavior to fit the situation), and communicate (effectively convey
information) .
3. A nurse manager is faced with a medical emergency in the unit hallway where
immediate action is required to save a patient's life. Which leadership style is most
appropriate in this specific situation?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-Faire
C) Autocratic
D) Servant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a crisis or emergency where immediate, decisive action is necessary, the
autocratic leadership style is most effective because it allows the leader to make quick
decisions without consulting the group. Democratic leadership involves group consensus,
which takes too long. Laissez-faire is permissive and ineffective in emergencies .
, 4. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader using praise and rewards to
motivate staff to meet established goals and expectations?
A) Transformational
B) Transactional
C) Situational
D) Charismatic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership relies on a system of rewards and punishments
(transactions) to manage performance. Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring
and vision. Situational leadership adapts the style to the follower's maturity .
5. A nurse leader notices that staff morale is low due to heavy workloads. The leader
begins to spend extra time on the floor helping with basic patient care to relieve the
burden on the staff and demonstrates a commitment to serving the team. Which
leadership style is this leader displaying?
A) Servant Leadership
B) Authoritarian
C) Bureaucratic
D) Task-Oriented
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of the team, helping them grow and
perform as well as possible. By stepping in to help with patient care, the leader is serving
the staff. Authoritarian and bureaucratic focus on rules and control. Task-oriented focuses
on getting the job done, not necessarily serving the team's well-being .
6. According to Hersey-Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model, which leadership
approach is best for an employee who is willing but unable to do the task (low
readiness/maturity)?
A) Delegating
B) Participating
C) Selling
D) Telling
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The "Telling" (or Directing) style is appropriate for followers who lack the ability
(unable) but are motivated (willing). The leader provides specific instructions and closely
supervises. Delegating is for high ability/willingness. Participating is for able but
unwilling/insecure .
7. Which statement best describes the difference between a manager and a leader?
A) Managers have formal authority; leaders rely on influence.
B) Leaders focus on processes; managers focus on people.
Management Exam 2026/2027 | Verified
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Fortis
| Graded A+
Section 1: Leadership Theories & Styles (Questions 1-30)
1. ____ is the ability to influence the behavior of others.
A) Management
B) Leadership
C) Delegation
D) Supervision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leadership is defined as the ability to influence the behavior of others.
Management focuses on planning, organizing, and controlling resources, while leadership
emphasizes inspiring and motivating people .
, 2. What are the three competencies of leadership?
A) Diagnose, adapt, communicate
B) Plan, organize, control
C) Direct, delegate, discipline
D) Assess, intervene, evaluate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The three competencies of leadership are diagnose (understand the situation),
adapt (adjust behavior to fit the situation), and communicate (effectively convey
information) .
3. A nurse manager is faced with a medical emergency in the unit hallway where
immediate action is required to save a patient's life. Which leadership style is most
appropriate in this specific situation?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-Faire
C) Autocratic
D) Servant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a crisis or emergency where immediate, decisive action is necessary, the
autocratic leadership style is most effective because it allows the leader to make quick
decisions without consulting the group. Democratic leadership involves group consensus,
which takes too long. Laissez-faire is permissive and ineffective in emergencies .
, 4. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader using praise and rewards to
motivate staff to meet established goals and expectations?
A) Transformational
B) Transactional
C) Situational
D) Charismatic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership relies on a system of rewards and punishments
(transactions) to manage performance. Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring
and vision. Situational leadership adapts the style to the follower's maturity .
5. A nurse leader notices that staff morale is low due to heavy workloads. The leader
begins to spend extra time on the floor helping with basic patient care to relieve the
burden on the staff and demonstrates a commitment to serving the team. Which
leadership style is this leader displaying?
A) Servant Leadership
B) Authoritarian
C) Bureaucratic
D) Task-Oriented
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of the team, helping them grow and
perform as well as possible. By stepping in to help with patient care, the leader is serving
the staff. Authoritarian and bureaucratic focus on rules and control. Task-oriented focuses
on getting the job done, not necessarily serving the team's well-being .
6. According to Hersey-Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model, which leadership
approach is best for an employee who is willing but unable to do the task (low
readiness/maturity)?
A) Delegating
B) Participating
C) Selling
D) Telling
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The "Telling" (or Directing) style is appropriate for followers who lack the ability
(unable) but are motivated (willing). The leader provides specific instructions and closely
supervises. Delegating is for high ability/willingness. Participating is for able but
unwilling/insecure .
7. Which statement best describes the difference between a manager and a leader?
A) Managers have formal authority; leaders rely on influence.
B) Leaders focus on processes; managers focus on people.
