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APUS NURS 450 – Nursing Leadership & Management Midterm Exam Practice Q&A (Questions
with Answers & Rationales 2026/2027 Edition)
Question 1
Which of the following best defines leadership?
A. The process of controlling resources and enforcing rules
B. The ability to influence and inspire others toward a common
goal
C. A formal position of authority
D. The completion of daily tasks
Answer: B
Rationale: Leadership is the process of influencing and inspiring
others to achieve shared goals; it is not limited to formal
authority.
Question 2
Which of the following is a management function?
A. Inspiring a shared vision
B. Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling
C. Building relationships only
D. Encouraging innovation only
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Answer: B
Rationale: Management traditionally includes planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling resources.
Question 3
A nurse manager who makes decisions without input from staff
is using which leadership style?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make unilateral decisions; this
may be appropriate in emergencies but can lower morale if
overused.
Question 4
Which leadership theory focuses on the traits and
characteristics of successful leaders?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
C. Transformational theory
D. Contingency theory
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Answer: A
Rationale: Trait theory seeks to identify inherent qualities of
effective leaders, such as intelligence, confidence, and integrity.
Question 5
According to situational leadership theory, the leader should:
A. Always use the same style
B. Adapt style based on followers' readiness and the situation
C. Avoid all structure
D. Only use supportive behaviors
Answer: B
Rationale: Situational leadership requires flexibility: leaders
adjust task and relationship behaviors based on followers'
competence and commitment.
Question 6
Which of the following is a characteristic of a transformational
leader?
A. Focuses only on daily operations
B. Inspires and empowers followers to achieve higher goals
C. Uses rewards and punishments exclusively
D. Avoids change
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Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, motivate, and
empower followers, fostering innovation and commitment.
Question 7
The five rights of delegation include right task, right
circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and:
A. Right documentation
B. Right supervision/evaluation
C. Right cost
D. Right time only
Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights are task, circumstance, person,
direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation.
Question 8
Which task is most appropriate to delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Initial admission assessment
B. Administering oral medications
C. Measuring vital signs on a stable patient
D. Developing a nursing care plan
APUS NURS 450 – Nursing Leadership & Management Midterm Exam Practice Q&A (Questions
with Answers & Rationales 2026/2027 Edition)
Question 1
Which of the following best defines leadership?
A. The process of controlling resources and enforcing rules
B. The ability to influence and inspire others toward a common
goal
C. A formal position of authority
D. The completion of daily tasks
Answer: B
Rationale: Leadership is the process of influencing and inspiring
others to achieve shared goals; it is not limited to formal
authority.
Question 2
Which of the following is a management function?
A. Inspiring a shared vision
B. Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling
C. Building relationships only
D. Encouraging innovation only
, Page |2
Answer: B
Rationale: Management traditionally includes planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling resources.
Question 3
A nurse manager who makes decisions without input from staff
is using which leadership style?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make unilateral decisions; this
may be appropriate in emergencies but can lower morale if
overused.
Question 4
Which leadership theory focuses on the traits and
characteristics of successful leaders?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
C. Transformational theory
D. Contingency theory
, Page |3
Answer: A
Rationale: Trait theory seeks to identify inherent qualities of
effective leaders, such as intelligence, confidence, and integrity.
Question 5
According to situational leadership theory, the leader should:
A. Always use the same style
B. Adapt style based on followers' readiness and the situation
C. Avoid all structure
D. Only use supportive behaviors
Answer: B
Rationale: Situational leadership requires flexibility: leaders
adjust task and relationship behaviors based on followers'
competence and commitment.
Question 6
Which of the following is a characteristic of a transformational
leader?
A. Focuses only on daily operations
B. Inspires and empowers followers to achieve higher goals
C. Uses rewards and punishments exclusively
D. Avoids change
, Page |4
Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, motivate, and
empower followers, fostering innovation and commitment.
Question 7
The five rights of delegation include right task, right
circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and:
A. Right documentation
B. Right supervision/evaluation
C. Right cost
D. Right time only
Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights are task, circumstance, person,
direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation.
Question 8
Which task is most appropriate to delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Initial admission assessment
B. Administering oral medications
C. Measuring vital signs on a stable patient
D. Developing a nursing care plan
