NSG 312 — Nursing Leadership and
Management exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse manager is planning the staffing schedule for a medical-
surgical unit. Which action best demonstrates effective
management?
A. Allowing staff to select assignments without considering patient
acuity
B. Assigning patients based solely on seniority
C. Matching staffing assignments with patient acuity and staff
competencies
D. Scheduling the same number of nurses on every shift
Answer: C. Matching staffing assignments with patient acuity and
staff competencies
,Rationale: Effective management involves organizing resources to meet
patient-care needs safely. Patient acuity, nurse competency, workload,
and available resources should be considered when making staffing
decisions. Assignments based only on seniority or equal numbers of staff
may not adequately address variations in patient needs.
2. Which leadership style encourages staff participation in decision-
making?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Bureaucratic
Answer: B. Democratic
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages participation,
collaboration, and shared decision-making. Autocratic leadership
concentrates decision-making with the leader, while laissez-faire
leadership provides minimal direction. Bureaucratic leadership
emphasizes established rules and procedures.
3. A nurse manager notices increasing medication errors on a unit.
What should the manager do first?
,A. Discipline the nurse involved in the most recent error
B. Immediately terminate the nurse responsible
C. Analyze the circumstances contributing to the errors
D. Prohibit nurses from administering medications independently
Answer: C. Analyze the circumstances contributing to the errors
Rationale: The first step in addressing recurring errors is to assess the
system and circumstances surrounding the events. Factors such as
staffing, workload, interruptions, communication, medication storage,
and processes may contribute to errors. Focusing only on individual
blame may fail to address underlying system problems.
4. Which activity is an example of delegation?
A. A registered nurse interpreting a patient's ECG
B. A nurse assigning a nursing assistant to obtain routine vital signs
C. A nurse independently changing a patient's treatment plan
D. A nurse determining a patient's nursing diagnosis
Answer: B. A nurse assigning a nursing assistant to obtain routine vital
signs
Rationale: Delegation involves transferring responsibility for performing
an appropriate task to a qualified individual while the nurse retains
accountability for the overall nursing care. Routine vital signs may be
, delegated when the patient's condition is stable and the nursing
assistant is competent to perform the task.
5. Which principle should guide a nurse when delegating a task?
A. Delegate only tasks that are unpleasant
B. Delegate tasks according to staff preference
C. Ensure the task is appropriate for the patient's condition and
delegatee's competency
D. Transfer accountability to the person receiving the task
Answer: C. Ensure the task is appropriate for the patient's condition
and delegatee's competency
Rationale: Safe delegation requires consideration of the right task,
circumstances, person, direction/communication, and
supervision/evaluation. The nurse must ensure that the individual
receiving the task has the necessary knowledge and skills. The nurse
remains accountable for appropriate delegation and supervision.
6. A nurse leader wants to improve teamwork among staff
members. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage staff to work independently
B. Establish clear communication and shared goals
Management exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse manager is planning the staffing schedule for a medical-
surgical unit. Which action best demonstrates effective
management?
A. Allowing staff to select assignments without considering patient
acuity
B. Assigning patients based solely on seniority
C. Matching staffing assignments with patient acuity and staff
competencies
D. Scheduling the same number of nurses on every shift
Answer: C. Matching staffing assignments with patient acuity and
staff competencies
,Rationale: Effective management involves organizing resources to meet
patient-care needs safely. Patient acuity, nurse competency, workload,
and available resources should be considered when making staffing
decisions. Assignments based only on seniority or equal numbers of staff
may not adequately address variations in patient needs.
2. Which leadership style encourages staff participation in decision-
making?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Bureaucratic
Answer: B. Democratic
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages participation,
collaboration, and shared decision-making. Autocratic leadership
concentrates decision-making with the leader, while laissez-faire
leadership provides minimal direction. Bureaucratic leadership
emphasizes established rules and procedures.
3. A nurse manager notices increasing medication errors on a unit.
What should the manager do first?
,A. Discipline the nurse involved in the most recent error
B. Immediately terminate the nurse responsible
C. Analyze the circumstances contributing to the errors
D. Prohibit nurses from administering medications independently
Answer: C. Analyze the circumstances contributing to the errors
Rationale: The first step in addressing recurring errors is to assess the
system and circumstances surrounding the events. Factors such as
staffing, workload, interruptions, communication, medication storage,
and processes may contribute to errors. Focusing only on individual
blame may fail to address underlying system problems.
4. Which activity is an example of delegation?
A. A registered nurse interpreting a patient's ECG
B. A nurse assigning a nursing assistant to obtain routine vital signs
C. A nurse independently changing a patient's treatment plan
D. A nurse determining a patient's nursing diagnosis
Answer: B. A nurse assigning a nursing assistant to obtain routine vital
signs
Rationale: Delegation involves transferring responsibility for performing
an appropriate task to a qualified individual while the nurse retains
accountability for the overall nursing care. Routine vital signs may be
, delegated when the patient's condition is stable and the nursing
assistant is competent to perform the task.
5. Which principle should guide a nurse when delegating a task?
A. Delegate only tasks that are unpleasant
B. Delegate tasks according to staff preference
C. Ensure the task is appropriate for the patient's condition and
delegatee's competency
D. Transfer accountability to the person receiving the task
Answer: C. Ensure the task is appropriate for the patient's condition
and delegatee's competency
Rationale: Safe delegation requires consideration of the right task,
circumstances, person, direction/communication, and
supervision/evaluation. The nurse must ensure that the individual
receiving the task has the necessary knowledge and skills. The nurse
remains accountable for appropriate delegation and supervision.
6. A nurse leader wants to improve teamwork among staff
members. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage staff to work independently
B. Establish clear communication and shared goals
