Chapter 01
1. Nurse managers can best be described as people who [Multiple Choice]
a. develop institutional goals based on staff suggestions.
b. develop institutional goals based on a personal theory.
c. motivate staff to meet institutional goals through positional power. ✔
d. inspire staff to meet institutional goals through personal power.
ANS: C
Managers motivate staff to make changes. Options A and B are incorrect because nurse managers usually do not
make institutional goals. Option C is incorrect because leaders inspire, not managers.
2. A nurse has accepted a position on a nursing unit where the nurse manager promotes autonomy and staff
involvement in decision making. What would the nurse expect to observe on this unit? [Multiple Choice]
a. Nurse manager mandates changes.
b. Staff takes responsibility for assignments.
c. Staff participates on hospital committees. ✔
d. Nurses are recognized for excellence in practice.
ANS: C
Work environments that promote autonomy and decision making encourage participation on hospital
committees so that staff may become involved in the decisions that are made. Option A is incorrect because this
is not an environment in which staff are encouraged to participate in decision making. Option B is incorrect
because it should be seen in all environments regardless of autonomy. Option D is incorrect because excellence in
practice is not seen solely in autonomous environments.
3. There are three levels of management in nursing. Which action by the nurse would indicate the nurse is a first-
line nurse manager? [Multiple Choice]
a. Responding to a patient complaint ✔
b. Deciding to incorporate walking rounds shift report hospitalwide
c. Reevaluating the nursing policy permitting IV push of certain medications by RNs
d. Designating assignment of new admissions
ANS: A
,The first-line manager is the nurse manager and would be responsible for responding to patient complaints.
Option B is incorrect because middle-level managers set short- and long-term goals. Option C is incorrect because
reevaluating the nursing policy permitting IV push of certain medications by RNs is a responsibility of upper-level
management to forecast trends in nursing. Option D is incorrect because designating assignment of new
admissions would be the responsibility of the charge nurse.
4. Much like a politician, a nurse manager must exhibit leadership that inspires and motivates. In which instance is
a nurse demonstrating leadership qualities? [Multiple Choice]
a. A staff nurse becomes aware of increased infection rates following cardiac surgery. The nurse takes it upon
herself to research the possible causes and prevention measures and to make suggestions to better protect
patients. ✔
b. A staff nurse acts quickly when a cardiac arrest is called on her patient.
c. A staff nurse notifies another staff member that she is being “pulled” today.
d. A new nurse volunteers to work when another staff member must leave work because her child is ill.
ANS: A
Nurse leaders are interested in changing practice based on evidence. Options B and D are incorrect because they
are actions taken by nurses as part of the functional structure of the unit. Option C is incorrect because it is an
action taken by a manager.
5. The management process consists of six functions: planning, staffing, organizing, directing, controlling, and
decision making. What might be seen in the planning step of the process? [Multiple Choice]
a. Identifying the problem of the lack of ICU beds ✔
b. Organizing a meeting to address the problem
c. Establishing an alternate site within the hospital for these patients
d. Assigning experienced staff to implement care of these patients
ANS: A
Establishing objectives should be seen in the planning step following identification of the problem. Option B is the
organizing step. Option C is the directing step. Option D is the controlling step.
6. Nurses can be leaders without being managers. Which nursing actions demonstrate leadership? [Multiple Choice]
a. Assisting a new nurse with enteral tube feedings ✔
b. Counseling a new nurse regarding attendance
c. Adjusting assignments after a staff member calls in sick
,d. Calling a physician for new order clarification
ANS: A
Leaders act as role models and mentor new staff. The other options are incorrect because they are management
responsibilities and not leadership roles.
7. Health care is seen and managed as a business today. Which skills are considered essential to managing health
care as a business? [Multiple Choice]
a. Ability to pressure staff to do what you want
b. Resource utilization ✔
c. Cutting corners to make money
d. Providing bonuses to staff members who help the organization to save money
ANS: B
The ability to manage a budget is essential to being a manager in health care today. The other options are
incorrect because they are only a perception of the public regarding successful managers.
8. The fundamental element of any patient care delivery combines work allocation with [Multiple Choice]
a. patient acuity.
b. leadership.
c. clinical decision making. ✔
d. delegation.
ANS: C
Work allocation is necessary in any patient care delivery system. The other options are incorrect because it is not
necessarily useful in determining the appropriate patient care delivery systems needed.
9. The nurses are complaining about how busy they are this shift. The charge nurse must do which of the
following to ensure the safety of the patients and staff for this and future shifts? [Multiple Choice]
a. Take responsibility for a team of patients.
b. Delegate care to the UAPs.
c. Assist the RNs to prioritize their patients and their responsibilities. ✔
d. Call the supervisor for more staff.
ANS: C
, As a leader, the charge nurse should assist the RNs to prioritize their patient care responsibilities to allow for safer
care to be provided. The other actions may correct the immediate problem that day but will not change the care
provided over a length of time if RNs are lacking prioritization skills.
10. The organizational hierarchy is used in which of the following situations? (Select all that apply.) [Multiple
Response]
a. A staff member is observed taking money from a patient’s bedside table. ✔
b. A staff member is found to be drinking alcohol while at work. ✔
c. A nurse refuses to care for a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis because he has not been trained on this
procedure.
d. A nurse refuses to be floated to the ICU while still in orientation.
e. A nurse fails to respond to repeated requests by the UAP to check on the condition of a patient. ✔
ANS: A, B, E
Options A, B, and E are correct because inappropriate actions by staff are managed by the hierarchy of any
organization. Options C and D are incorrect because they are scenarios requiring actions not relegated to the
hierarchy of the organization.
11. The management process consists of six functions: planning, staffing, organizing, directing, controlling, and
decision making. What might be seen in the decision-making process? [Multiple Choice]
a. Organizing a meeting to address the problem
b. Establishing an alternate site within the hospital for these patients
c. Assigning experienced staff to implement care of these patients
d. Establishing the new area as a step-down unit ✔
ANS: D
Decision making is a result of the other steps. The other options are different steps in the management process.
12. The patient care delivery system used by an institution should be based on which fundamental elements?
(Select all that apply.) [Multiple Response]
a. Work allocation ✔
b. Accountability ✔
c. Allocation of resources
d. Mission statement ✔
1. Nurse managers can best be described as people who [Multiple Choice]
a. develop institutional goals based on staff suggestions.
b. develop institutional goals based on a personal theory.
c. motivate staff to meet institutional goals through positional power. ✔
d. inspire staff to meet institutional goals through personal power.
ANS: C
Managers motivate staff to make changes. Options A and B are incorrect because nurse managers usually do not
make institutional goals. Option C is incorrect because leaders inspire, not managers.
2. A nurse has accepted a position on a nursing unit where the nurse manager promotes autonomy and staff
involvement in decision making. What would the nurse expect to observe on this unit? [Multiple Choice]
a. Nurse manager mandates changes.
b. Staff takes responsibility for assignments.
c. Staff participates on hospital committees. ✔
d. Nurses are recognized for excellence in practice.
ANS: C
Work environments that promote autonomy and decision making encourage participation on hospital
committees so that staff may become involved in the decisions that are made. Option A is incorrect because this
is not an environment in which staff are encouraged to participate in decision making. Option B is incorrect
because it should be seen in all environments regardless of autonomy. Option D is incorrect because excellence in
practice is not seen solely in autonomous environments.
3. There are three levels of management in nursing. Which action by the nurse would indicate the nurse is a first-
line nurse manager? [Multiple Choice]
a. Responding to a patient complaint ✔
b. Deciding to incorporate walking rounds shift report hospitalwide
c. Reevaluating the nursing policy permitting IV push of certain medications by RNs
d. Designating assignment of new admissions
ANS: A
,The first-line manager is the nurse manager and would be responsible for responding to patient complaints.
Option B is incorrect because middle-level managers set short- and long-term goals. Option C is incorrect because
reevaluating the nursing policy permitting IV push of certain medications by RNs is a responsibility of upper-level
management to forecast trends in nursing. Option D is incorrect because designating assignment of new
admissions would be the responsibility of the charge nurse.
4. Much like a politician, a nurse manager must exhibit leadership that inspires and motivates. In which instance is
a nurse demonstrating leadership qualities? [Multiple Choice]
a. A staff nurse becomes aware of increased infection rates following cardiac surgery. The nurse takes it upon
herself to research the possible causes and prevention measures and to make suggestions to better protect
patients. ✔
b. A staff nurse acts quickly when a cardiac arrest is called on her patient.
c. A staff nurse notifies another staff member that she is being “pulled” today.
d. A new nurse volunteers to work when another staff member must leave work because her child is ill.
ANS: A
Nurse leaders are interested in changing practice based on evidence. Options B and D are incorrect because they
are actions taken by nurses as part of the functional structure of the unit. Option C is incorrect because it is an
action taken by a manager.
5. The management process consists of six functions: planning, staffing, organizing, directing, controlling, and
decision making. What might be seen in the planning step of the process? [Multiple Choice]
a. Identifying the problem of the lack of ICU beds ✔
b. Organizing a meeting to address the problem
c. Establishing an alternate site within the hospital for these patients
d. Assigning experienced staff to implement care of these patients
ANS: A
Establishing objectives should be seen in the planning step following identification of the problem. Option B is the
organizing step. Option C is the directing step. Option D is the controlling step.
6. Nurses can be leaders without being managers. Which nursing actions demonstrate leadership? [Multiple Choice]
a. Assisting a new nurse with enteral tube feedings ✔
b. Counseling a new nurse regarding attendance
c. Adjusting assignments after a staff member calls in sick
,d. Calling a physician for new order clarification
ANS: A
Leaders act as role models and mentor new staff. The other options are incorrect because they are management
responsibilities and not leadership roles.
7. Health care is seen and managed as a business today. Which skills are considered essential to managing health
care as a business? [Multiple Choice]
a. Ability to pressure staff to do what you want
b. Resource utilization ✔
c. Cutting corners to make money
d. Providing bonuses to staff members who help the organization to save money
ANS: B
The ability to manage a budget is essential to being a manager in health care today. The other options are
incorrect because they are only a perception of the public regarding successful managers.
8. The fundamental element of any patient care delivery combines work allocation with [Multiple Choice]
a. patient acuity.
b. leadership.
c. clinical decision making. ✔
d. delegation.
ANS: C
Work allocation is necessary in any patient care delivery system. The other options are incorrect because it is not
necessarily useful in determining the appropriate patient care delivery systems needed.
9. The nurses are complaining about how busy they are this shift. The charge nurse must do which of the
following to ensure the safety of the patients and staff for this and future shifts? [Multiple Choice]
a. Take responsibility for a team of patients.
b. Delegate care to the UAPs.
c. Assist the RNs to prioritize their patients and their responsibilities. ✔
d. Call the supervisor for more staff.
ANS: C
, As a leader, the charge nurse should assist the RNs to prioritize their patient care responsibilities to allow for safer
care to be provided. The other actions may correct the immediate problem that day but will not change the care
provided over a length of time if RNs are lacking prioritization skills.
10. The organizational hierarchy is used in which of the following situations? (Select all that apply.) [Multiple
Response]
a. A staff member is observed taking money from a patient’s bedside table. ✔
b. A staff member is found to be drinking alcohol while at work. ✔
c. A nurse refuses to care for a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis because he has not been trained on this
procedure.
d. A nurse refuses to be floated to the ICU while still in orientation.
e. A nurse fails to respond to repeated requests by the UAP to check on the condition of a patient. ✔
ANS: A, B, E
Options A, B, and E are correct because inappropriate actions by staff are managed by the hierarchy of any
organization. Options C and D are incorrect because they are scenarios requiring actions not relegated to the
hierarchy of the organization.
11. The management process consists of six functions: planning, staffing, organizing, directing, controlling, and
decision making. What might be seen in the decision-making process? [Multiple Choice]
a. Organizing a meeting to address the problem
b. Establishing an alternate site within the hospital for these patients
c. Assigning experienced staff to implement care of these patients
d. Establishing the new area as a step-down unit ✔
ANS: D
Decision making is a result of the other steps. The other options are different steps in the management process.
12. The patient care delivery system used by an institution should be based on which fundamental elements?
(Select all that apply.) [Multiple Response]
a. Work allocation ✔
b. Accountability ✔
c. Allocation of resources
d. Mission statement ✔
