Chapter 4: Leadership Theories, Mgmt.
Functions
A community hospital has been purchased by a large health care conglomerate. Nursing administration
has the task of changing the nursing practice model that has been followed for 50 years. To best achieve
this change, administration should appoint a nurse executive whose leadership style follows which
theory?
1. Contingency theory
2. Quantum leadership
3. Transactional leadership
4. Transformational leadership - correct answer Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: According to contingency theory, the manager adapts leadership styles in relation to
changing situations; these styles range from authoritarian to permissive. This is not the best choice for
this situation.
Rationale 2: Quantum leadership focuses on outcomes, and employees are directly involved in decision
making. This is not the best choice for this situation.
Rationale 3: Transactional leadership is based on the premise that individuals engage in social
interactions expecting to give and receive rewards. This is not the best choice for this situation.
Rationale 4: Transformational leadership is concerned not with the status quo but with effecting
revolutionary change in organizations and human service.
A nurse is working in a unit with several less-experienced nurses. Which attribute displayed by the
senior nurse would make her leadership of the less-experienced nurses most effective?
,1. Strong belief that the leader is accountable for actions taken by those working on the unit
2. Authority to carry out actions necessary to move the work of unit staff forward
3. Efficiency in actions and in words
4. Ability to inspire the others to commit to the teams goals - correct answer Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: A leader may have no formal accountability or authority. The manager has that authority.
Rationale 2: The unit manager has the authority. The experienced nurse in this scenario may or may not
be the unit manager.
Rationale 3: A leader is not necessarily a good manager and may not be efficient.
Rationale 4: A nursing leader must be a visionary in order to empower others to make needed changes
for the good of the group. This leader may or not be the formal leader of the group.
A nursing committee has been organized to help plan a new intensive care service at the hospital. Which
questions are essential for this committee to consider?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Where will the service be housed?
2. Why were the nurses asked to participate?
3. When will the service begin?
, 4. Who will provide the services?
5. How will money for the project be raised? - correct answer Correct Answer: 1,3,4
Rationale 1: Where is an important question in planning.
Rationale 2: While it is important to ask why when planning, the correct why in this case is Why are we
providing this service?
Rationale 3: When is an important aspect of planning. The timeline for implementation is critical.
Rationale 4: There are numerous possibilities for answering this question. It is important to consider
when planning.
Rationale 5: This question is not as essential for this committee. Finding money for the project would not
be a nursing function.
A staff nurse tells the manager, I dont want to be promoted. I am a much better follower than I am a
leader. How should the manager interpret this remark?
1. Leadership takes more energy than followership, so this nurse is taking the easy way out.
2. Followership is a valuable skill in nurses.
3. A nurse who is not willing to work to master the skills of leadership should not be retained on the
unit.
4. Most people have difficulty developing leadership skills. - correct answer Correct Answer: 2
Functions
A community hospital has been purchased by a large health care conglomerate. Nursing administration
has the task of changing the nursing practice model that has been followed for 50 years. To best achieve
this change, administration should appoint a nurse executive whose leadership style follows which
theory?
1. Contingency theory
2. Quantum leadership
3. Transactional leadership
4. Transformational leadership - correct answer Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: According to contingency theory, the manager adapts leadership styles in relation to
changing situations; these styles range from authoritarian to permissive. This is not the best choice for
this situation.
Rationale 2: Quantum leadership focuses on outcomes, and employees are directly involved in decision
making. This is not the best choice for this situation.
Rationale 3: Transactional leadership is based on the premise that individuals engage in social
interactions expecting to give and receive rewards. This is not the best choice for this situation.
Rationale 4: Transformational leadership is concerned not with the status quo but with effecting
revolutionary change in organizations and human service.
A nurse is working in a unit with several less-experienced nurses. Which attribute displayed by the
senior nurse would make her leadership of the less-experienced nurses most effective?
,1. Strong belief that the leader is accountable for actions taken by those working on the unit
2. Authority to carry out actions necessary to move the work of unit staff forward
3. Efficiency in actions and in words
4. Ability to inspire the others to commit to the teams goals - correct answer Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: A leader may have no formal accountability or authority. The manager has that authority.
Rationale 2: The unit manager has the authority. The experienced nurse in this scenario may or may not
be the unit manager.
Rationale 3: A leader is not necessarily a good manager and may not be efficient.
Rationale 4: A nursing leader must be a visionary in order to empower others to make needed changes
for the good of the group. This leader may or not be the formal leader of the group.
A nursing committee has been organized to help plan a new intensive care service at the hospital. Which
questions are essential for this committee to consider?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Where will the service be housed?
2. Why were the nurses asked to participate?
3. When will the service begin?
, 4. Who will provide the services?
5. How will money for the project be raised? - correct answer Correct Answer: 1,3,4
Rationale 1: Where is an important question in planning.
Rationale 2: While it is important to ask why when planning, the correct why in this case is Why are we
providing this service?
Rationale 3: When is an important aspect of planning. The timeline for implementation is critical.
Rationale 4: There are numerous possibilities for answering this question. It is important to consider
when planning.
Rationale 5: This question is not as essential for this committee. Finding money for the project would not
be a nursing function.
A staff nurse tells the manager, I dont want to be promoted. I am a much better follower than I am a
leader. How should the manager interpret this remark?
1. Leadership takes more energy than followership, so this nurse is taking the easy way out.
2. Followership is a valuable skill in nurses.
3. A nurse who is not willing to work to master the skills of leadership should not be retained on the
unit.
4. Most people have difficulty developing leadership skills. - correct answer Correct Answer: 2
