Leadership Roles and Management
functions in Nursing theory and
application 10th edition Chapter 1
The nurse is applying a decision making process to a clinical challenge. When applying this
process the nurse must?
A. Choose between different courses of action
B. Analyze the root cause of a situation
C. Prioritize the maximum good for the maximum number of people
D. Begin by solving the underlying problem - ANS A. Choose between different courses of
action
Feedback: Decision making is a complex, cognitive process often defined as choosing a
particular course of action. Problem solving is part of decision making and is a systematic
process that focuses on analyzing a difficult situation. It is not always realistic for the nurse
to solve each of the problems contributing to a larger challenge, especially at the beginning
of the decision-making process. The nurse often lacks the time, information, or resources to
analyze the root causes of a situation. Many times, the nurse makes a decision that benefits
the largest number of people, but this is not always feasible or desirable
The nurse is applying the traditional problem-solving model when mediating in a conflict
between two colleagues. When applying this model, the nurse should prioritize what task?
A. Encouraging each nurse to reflect on his or her actions
B. Implementing a solution as quickly as possible
C. Eliciting input from other nurses
D. Identify the root cause of conflict - ANS D. Identify the root cause of conflict
Feedback: The traditional problem-solving model attempts to identify the root problem in
situations, a task that can require much time and energy. Efficiency is desirable, but trying
to implement a solution as quickly as possible can result in a hasty and incorrect solution.
Reflective thinking is always beneficial, but this is not a specific component of the
traditional problem-solving model. Outside input may or may not be necessary; this varies
with each individual problem.
Which statement is true regarding decision-making?
A. Past experience has little to do with quality of the decision
B. Personal belief can be adjusted for when the scientific approach to problem-solving is used
, C. Decisions are greatly influenced by each person's value system.
D. Scientific methods to provide identical decisions by different individuals for the same
problem. - ANS C. Decisions are greatly influenced by each person's value system.
Feedback: Values, life experience, individual preference, and individual ways of thinking
will influence a person's decision making. No matter how objective the criteria will be,
value judgments will always play a part in a person's decision making, either consciously or
subconsciously. It is not possible for a nurse to fully "set aside" personal beliefs when
making a decision, even if the nurse applies the principles of self-reflection
The nurse manager of a short staffed unit needs to make a decision about a nurses request for
an unpaid leave of absence. In order to increase the chance of making a good decision, the
manager should:
A. Involved as many people in the decision making process as possible
B. Prioritize the option that is most innovative
C. Generate as many different alternatives as possible
D. Begin the decision making process by presuming the status quo to be the best option - ANS
C. Generate as many different alternatives as possible
Feedback: The greater the number of alternatives that can be generated by the decision
maker, the better the final decision will be. Generating multiple alternatives may require
involving more people in the decision-making process, but the process can easily become
unwieldy if too many people are involved. The manager should always consider the status
quo as a possible option, but this is not always considered to be the default option.
Innovation is often a desirable characteristic, but it would be inappropriate to choose an
option solely because it is innovative; many other values must be considered
An experience nurse manager has been described as being a " right brain thinker ". This
managers decision making process likely prioritize what characteristic?
A. Transparency
B. Efficiency
C. Intuition
D. Linear analysis - ANS C. Intuition
Feedback: Right-brained thinkers have traditionally been characterized as being creative and
intuitive. Linear analysis is more closely aligned with left-brained thinking. Transparency
and efficiency are desirable qualities that are not particularly aligned with either of these
two paradigms
The nurse manager is applying an evidence-based approach to a clinical question around client
mobilization. When using PICO format to search for evidence, the nurse should identify what?
A. The preferences of clients and their families
B. The role of intuition in the decision making process
C. The clients for whom the intervention would be relevant
functions in Nursing theory and
application 10th edition Chapter 1
The nurse is applying a decision making process to a clinical challenge. When applying this
process the nurse must?
A. Choose between different courses of action
B. Analyze the root cause of a situation
C. Prioritize the maximum good for the maximum number of people
D. Begin by solving the underlying problem - ANS A. Choose between different courses of
action
Feedback: Decision making is a complex, cognitive process often defined as choosing a
particular course of action. Problem solving is part of decision making and is a systematic
process that focuses on analyzing a difficult situation. It is not always realistic for the nurse
to solve each of the problems contributing to a larger challenge, especially at the beginning
of the decision-making process. The nurse often lacks the time, information, or resources to
analyze the root causes of a situation. Many times, the nurse makes a decision that benefits
the largest number of people, but this is not always feasible or desirable
The nurse is applying the traditional problem-solving model when mediating in a conflict
between two colleagues. When applying this model, the nurse should prioritize what task?
A. Encouraging each nurse to reflect on his or her actions
B. Implementing a solution as quickly as possible
C. Eliciting input from other nurses
D. Identify the root cause of conflict - ANS D. Identify the root cause of conflict
Feedback: The traditional problem-solving model attempts to identify the root problem in
situations, a task that can require much time and energy. Efficiency is desirable, but trying
to implement a solution as quickly as possible can result in a hasty and incorrect solution.
Reflective thinking is always beneficial, but this is not a specific component of the
traditional problem-solving model. Outside input may or may not be necessary; this varies
with each individual problem.
Which statement is true regarding decision-making?
A. Past experience has little to do with quality of the decision
B. Personal belief can be adjusted for when the scientific approach to problem-solving is used
, C. Decisions are greatly influenced by each person's value system.
D. Scientific methods to provide identical decisions by different individuals for the same
problem. - ANS C. Decisions are greatly influenced by each person's value system.
Feedback: Values, life experience, individual preference, and individual ways of thinking
will influence a person's decision making. No matter how objective the criteria will be,
value judgments will always play a part in a person's decision making, either consciously or
subconsciously. It is not possible for a nurse to fully "set aside" personal beliefs when
making a decision, even if the nurse applies the principles of self-reflection
The nurse manager of a short staffed unit needs to make a decision about a nurses request for
an unpaid leave of absence. In order to increase the chance of making a good decision, the
manager should:
A. Involved as many people in the decision making process as possible
B. Prioritize the option that is most innovative
C. Generate as many different alternatives as possible
D. Begin the decision making process by presuming the status quo to be the best option - ANS
C. Generate as many different alternatives as possible
Feedback: The greater the number of alternatives that can be generated by the decision
maker, the better the final decision will be. Generating multiple alternatives may require
involving more people in the decision-making process, but the process can easily become
unwieldy if too many people are involved. The manager should always consider the status
quo as a possible option, but this is not always considered to be the default option.
Innovation is often a desirable characteristic, but it would be inappropriate to choose an
option solely because it is innovative; many other values must be considered
An experience nurse manager has been described as being a " right brain thinker ". This
managers decision making process likely prioritize what characteristic?
A. Transparency
B. Efficiency
C. Intuition
D. Linear analysis - ANS C. Intuition
Feedback: Right-brained thinkers have traditionally been characterized as being creative and
intuitive. Linear analysis is more closely aligned with left-brained thinking. Transparency
and efficiency are desirable qualities that are not particularly aligned with either of these
two paradigms
The nurse manager is applying an evidence-based approach to a clinical question around client
mobilization. When using PICO format to search for evidence, the nurse should identify what?
A. The preferences of clients and their families
B. The role of intuition in the decision making process
C. The clients for whom the intervention would be relevant
