Nursing Delegation and Management of Patient Care, 3rd
Edition Test Bank – 200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (2026 Update)
Part 1: Leadership and Management (Questions 1–30)
Q1. Nurses can be leaders without being managers. Which nursing actions demonstrate leadership?
• 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
Answer: A) Assisting a new nurse with enteral tube feedings
Rationale: Leaders act as role models and mentor new staff. The other options are management
responsibilities (staffing, assignment adjustments) and not leadership roles. Mentoring and influencing
others without formal authority are key leadership behaviors.
Q2. Which nursing actions demonstrate the role of management in nursing?
• A) Encouraging autonomous decision making
• B) Observing the documentation of appropriate charges to patients
• C) Assisting in a code
• D) Asking the patient/family about advance directives
Answer: B) Observing the documentation of appropriate charges to patients
Rationale: Managers are responsible for the budget of their units. Observing appropriate patient
charges is a fiscal management responsibility. The other options reflect leadership roles or direct patient
care duties.
Q3. Which action by a staff nurse demonstrates leadership qualities rather than management?
• 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” to another unit today.
, • D) A new nurse volunteers to work when another staff member must leave because her child is
ill.
Answer: 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.
Rationale: Nurse leaders are interested in changing practice based on evidence. Options B and D are
actions taken by nurses as part of functional unit structure. Option C is a management action (staffing).
Q4. 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?
• 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.
Answer: C) Staff participates on hospital committees.
Rationale: Work environments that promote autonomy and shared decision making encourage staff
participation in committees and governance. Mandating changes reflects a different leadership style.
Q5. A nurse manager is concerned about high turnover rates on the unit. Which leadership approach
would be most effective in addressing this issue?
• A) Autocratic leadership
• B) Laissez-faire leadership
• C) Transformational leadership
• D) Transactional leadership
Answer: C) Transformational leadership
Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating staff, fostering engagement,
and addressing underlying issues such as burnout, which can reduce turnover. Autocratic leadership
may worsen morale; laissez-faire provides insufficient guidance.
Q6. A charge nurse notices that a staff member is frequently late and appears tired. What is the best
initial action?
• A) Write the nurse up for tardiness.
, • B) Have a private conversation to inquire about concerns.
• C) Send the nurse home for the day.
• D) Ignore it unless patient care suffers.
Answer: B) Have a private conversation to inquire about concerns.
Rationale: Addressing performance issues starts with a non-punitive conversation. There may be an
underlying problem (illness, family issue). Support first, then escalate if needed.
Q7. Which statement best describes the difference between a leader and a manager?
• A) Leaders focus on tasks; managers focus on people.
• B) Leaders inspire and influence; managers plan and organize.
• C) Leaders have formal authority; managers have informal authority.
• D) Leaders are always managers.
Answer: B) Leaders inspire and influence; managers plan and organize.
Rationale: Leaders use influence and inspiration to guide others, often without formal authority.
Managers use formal authority to plan, organize, and coordinate resources. Both roles are important in
nursing.
Q8. A nurse manager is implementing a new fall prevention protocol. Which leadership style is most
effective for gaining staff buy-in?
• A) Autocratic
• B) Democratic
• C) Laissez-faire
• D) Transactional
Answer: B) Democratic
Rationale: Involving staff in planning increases ownership and adherence to the protocol. Autocratic
may cause resistance; laissez-faire lacks direction.
Q9. A nurse is promoted to a management position. Which activity is a management responsibility?
• A) Mentoring a new graduate nurse
• B) Advocating for evidence-based practice changes
Edition Test Bank – 200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (2026 Update)
Part 1: Leadership and Management (Questions 1–30)
Q1. Nurses can be leaders without being managers. Which nursing actions demonstrate leadership?
• 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
Answer: A) Assisting a new nurse with enteral tube feedings
Rationale: Leaders act as role models and mentor new staff. The other options are management
responsibilities (staffing, assignment adjustments) and not leadership roles. Mentoring and influencing
others without formal authority are key leadership behaviors.
Q2. Which nursing actions demonstrate the role of management in nursing?
• A) Encouraging autonomous decision making
• B) Observing the documentation of appropriate charges to patients
• C) Assisting in a code
• D) Asking the patient/family about advance directives
Answer: B) Observing the documentation of appropriate charges to patients
Rationale: Managers are responsible for the budget of their units. Observing appropriate patient
charges is a fiscal management responsibility. The other options reflect leadership roles or direct patient
care duties.
Q3. Which action by a staff nurse demonstrates leadership qualities rather than management?
• 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” to another unit today.
, • D) A new nurse volunteers to work when another staff member must leave because her child is
ill.
Answer: 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.
Rationale: Nurse leaders are interested in changing practice based on evidence. Options B and D are
actions taken by nurses as part of functional unit structure. Option C is a management action (staffing).
Q4. 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?
• 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.
Answer: C) Staff participates on hospital committees.
Rationale: Work environments that promote autonomy and shared decision making encourage staff
participation in committees and governance. Mandating changes reflects a different leadership style.
Q5. A nurse manager is concerned about high turnover rates on the unit. Which leadership approach
would be most effective in addressing this issue?
• A) Autocratic leadership
• B) Laissez-faire leadership
• C) Transformational leadership
• D) Transactional leadership
Answer: C) Transformational leadership
Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating staff, fostering engagement,
and addressing underlying issues such as burnout, which can reduce turnover. Autocratic leadership
may worsen morale; laissez-faire provides insufficient guidance.
Q6. A charge nurse notices that a staff member is frequently late and appears tired. What is the best
initial action?
• A) Write the nurse up for tardiness.
, • B) Have a private conversation to inquire about concerns.
• C) Send the nurse home for the day.
• D) Ignore it unless patient care suffers.
Answer: B) Have a private conversation to inquire about concerns.
Rationale: Addressing performance issues starts with a non-punitive conversation. There may be an
underlying problem (illness, family issue). Support first, then escalate if needed.
Q7. Which statement best describes the difference between a leader and a manager?
• A) Leaders focus on tasks; managers focus on people.
• B) Leaders inspire and influence; managers plan and organize.
• C) Leaders have formal authority; managers have informal authority.
• D) Leaders are always managers.
Answer: B) Leaders inspire and influence; managers plan and organize.
Rationale: Leaders use influence and inspiration to guide others, often without formal authority.
Managers use formal authority to plan, organize, and coordinate resources. Both roles are important in
nursing.
Q8. A nurse manager is implementing a new fall prevention protocol. Which leadership style is most
effective for gaining staff buy-in?
• A) Autocratic
• B) Democratic
• C) Laissez-faire
• D) Transactional
Answer: B) Democratic
Rationale: Involving staff in planning increases ownership and adherence to the protocol. Autocratic
may cause resistance; laissez-faire lacks direction.
Q9. A nurse is promoted to a management position. Which activity is a management responsibility?
• A) Mentoring a new graduate nurse
• B) Advocating for evidence-based practice changes
