NSG 406 — Nursing Leadership exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
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1. A nurse manager wants to improve staff participation in unit
decision-making. Which leadership action is most appropriate?
A. Make all decisions independently
B. Delegate decisions only to senior nurses
C. Involve staff nurses in shared decision-making
D. Require staff to follow existing procedures without discussion
Rationale: Shared decision-making promotes staff involvement,
accountability, professional autonomy, and commitment to
organizational goals. Participative leadership is particularly useful
when decisions benefit from the knowledge and experience of
frontline nurses.
, 2. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making
decisions independently and providing clear directions to staff?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Transformational
D. Autocratic
Rationale: Autocratic leadership places decision-making authority
primarily with the leader. This approach can be useful during
emergencies when rapid, decisive action is required, although
excessive use may reduce staff participation and morale.
3. A nurse leader encourages staff to develop professionally,
embrace change, and work toward a shared vision. Which
leadership style is being demonstrated?
A. Transactional
B. Transformational
C. Autocratic
D. Bureaucratic
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire employees to exceed
routine expectations by creating a shared vision, encouraging
innovation, supporting professional development, and motivating
staff toward organizational improvement.
, 4. Which characteristic is most important for an effective nurse
leader?
A. Avoiding delegation
B. Maintaining strict control over staff
C. Effective communication
D. Making decisions without consultation
Rationale: Effective communication enables nurse leaders to establish
expectations, resolve conflicts, coordinate care, provide feedback, and
build trusting relationships with staff and other healthcare
professionals.
5. A nurse manager notices that two nurses are arguing about
assignment responsibilities. What should the manager do first?
A. Reassign both nurses immediately
B. Report both nurses to administration
C. Ignore the disagreement
D. Assess the situation and listen to both nurses
Rationale: Effective conflict management begins with understanding
the issue. Listening to each person's perspective allows the leader to
identify the underlying problem before selecting an appropriate
intervention.
, 6. Which action demonstrates effective delegation by a registered
nurse?
A. Assigning a complex assessment to an unlicensed assistive personnel
B. Delegating medication administration to an individual who is not
authorized to administer medications
C. Assigning routine vital-sign measurement to appropriately trained
assistive personnel
D. Delegating accountability for the patient's overall care
Rationale: Appropriate delegation involves assigning tasks that are
within the delegatee's competence and legal scope. The registered
nurse retains accountability for nursing judgment and overall patient
outcomes.
7. Which statement best describes accountability in nursing
leadership?
A. The leader is responsible for every action performed by every
employee
B. The nurse accepts responsibility for actions and outcomes
associated with professional duties
C. Accountability applies only to nurse managers
D. Accountability can be transferred completely when a task is
delegated
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse manager wants to improve staff participation in unit
decision-making. Which leadership action is most appropriate?
A. Make all decisions independently
B. Delegate decisions only to senior nurses
C. Involve staff nurses in shared decision-making
D. Require staff to follow existing procedures without discussion
Rationale: Shared decision-making promotes staff involvement,
accountability, professional autonomy, and commitment to
organizational goals. Participative leadership is particularly useful
when decisions benefit from the knowledge and experience of
frontline nurses.
, 2. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making
decisions independently and providing clear directions to staff?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Transformational
D. Autocratic
Rationale: Autocratic leadership places decision-making authority
primarily with the leader. This approach can be useful during
emergencies when rapid, decisive action is required, although
excessive use may reduce staff participation and morale.
3. A nurse leader encourages staff to develop professionally,
embrace change, and work toward a shared vision. Which
leadership style is being demonstrated?
A. Transactional
B. Transformational
C. Autocratic
D. Bureaucratic
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire employees to exceed
routine expectations by creating a shared vision, encouraging
innovation, supporting professional development, and motivating
staff toward organizational improvement.
, 4. Which characteristic is most important for an effective nurse
leader?
A. Avoiding delegation
B. Maintaining strict control over staff
C. Effective communication
D. Making decisions without consultation
Rationale: Effective communication enables nurse leaders to establish
expectations, resolve conflicts, coordinate care, provide feedback, and
build trusting relationships with staff and other healthcare
professionals.
5. A nurse manager notices that two nurses are arguing about
assignment responsibilities. What should the manager do first?
A. Reassign both nurses immediately
B. Report both nurses to administration
C. Ignore the disagreement
D. Assess the situation and listen to both nurses
Rationale: Effective conflict management begins with understanding
the issue. Listening to each person's perspective allows the leader to
identify the underlying problem before selecting an appropriate
intervention.
, 6. Which action demonstrates effective delegation by a registered
nurse?
A. Assigning a complex assessment to an unlicensed assistive personnel
B. Delegating medication administration to an individual who is not
authorized to administer medications
C. Assigning routine vital-sign measurement to appropriately trained
assistive personnel
D. Delegating accountability for the patient's overall care
Rationale: Appropriate delegation involves assigning tasks that are
within the delegatee's competence and legal scope. The registered
nurse retains accountability for nursing judgment and overall patient
outcomes.
7. Which statement best describes accountability in nursing
leadership?
A. The leader is responsible for every action performed by every
employee
B. The nurse accepts responsibility for actions and outcomes
associated with professional duties
C. Accountability applies only to nurse managers
D. Accountability can be transferred completely when a task is
delegated
