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APUS NURS 450 – Nursing Leadership & Management Final Exam Practice Q&A
( Questions with Answers & Rationales 2026 | 2027 Edition
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary difference
between leadership and management?
A. Leadership focuses on vision and influence; management
focuses on coordination and control
B. Leadership is assigned; management is earned
C. Management inspires; leadership plans
D. There is no difference
Answer: A
Rationale: Leadership involves influencing and inspiring others
toward a vision; management focuses on planning, organizing,
staffing, directing, and controlling resources.
Question 2
A nurse manager uses a democratic leadership style. Which
behavior is most characteristic?
A. Makes all decisions without input
B. Encourages team participation in decision-making
C. Provides minimal guidance and avoids decisions
D. Uses rewards and punishments only
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Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leaders involve staff in decisions,
promoting collaboration and shared governance.
Question 3
Which leadership theory suggests that effective leaders adapt
their style based on the situation and follower readiness?
A. Trait theory
B. Behavioral theory
C. Situational leadership theory
D. Bureaucratic theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Situational leadership (Hersey-Blanchard) posits
leaders should adjust directive/supportive behaviors based on
followers' competence and commitment.
Question 4
The five rights of delegation include the right task, right
circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and:
A. Right time
B. Right supervision/evaluation
C. Right cost
D. Right outcome only
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Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights of delegation are task, circumstance,
person, direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation.
Question 5
Which task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
A. Initial patient assessment
B. Medication administration
C. Ambulating a stable patient
D. Patient teaching
Answer: C
Rationale: UAPs can perform basic tasks like ambulation of
stable patients; assessments, medications, and teaching require
nursing judgment.
Question 6
A charge nurse is making assignments for the shift. Which
patient should be assigned to the RN rather than the LPN/LVN?
A. A stable patient with chronic hypertension
B. A patient newly admitted with chest pain and unstable vital
signs
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C. A patient needing routine dressing change
D. A patient awaiting discharge teaching
Answer: B
Rationale: Unstable patients require RN assessment and clinical
judgment; LPNs care for stable patients with predictable
outcomes.
Question 7
Which of the following is a key component of transformational
leadership?
A. Focus on day-to-day operations only
B. Inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation,
individualized consideration
C. Transaction-based rewards only
D. Laissez-faire approach
Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, stimulate
innovation, and support individual growth.
Question 8
A nurse manager notices that a staff nurse frequently arrives
late and is disengaged. What is the best initial action?
A. Terminate the nurse immediately
APUS NURS 450 – Nursing Leadership & Management Final Exam Practice Q&A
( Questions with Answers & Rationales 2026 | 2027 Edition
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary difference
between leadership and management?
A. Leadership focuses on vision and influence; management
focuses on coordination and control
B. Leadership is assigned; management is earned
C. Management inspires; leadership plans
D. There is no difference
Answer: A
Rationale: Leadership involves influencing and inspiring others
toward a vision; management focuses on planning, organizing,
staffing, directing, and controlling resources.
Question 2
A nurse manager uses a democratic leadership style. Which
behavior is most characteristic?
A. Makes all decisions without input
B. Encourages team participation in decision-making
C. Provides minimal guidance and avoids decisions
D. Uses rewards and punishments only
, Page |2
Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leaders involve staff in decisions,
promoting collaboration and shared governance.
Question 3
Which leadership theory suggests that effective leaders adapt
their style based on the situation and follower readiness?
A. Trait theory
B. Behavioral theory
C. Situational leadership theory
D. Bureaucratic theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Situational leadership (Hersey-Blanchard) posits
leaders should adjust directive/supportive behaviors based on
followers' competence and commitment.
Question 4
The five rights of delegation include the right task, right
circumstance, right person, right direction/communication, and:
A. Right time
B. Right supervision/evaluation
C. Right cost
D. Right outcome only
, Page |3
Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights of delegation are task, circumstance,
person, direction/communication, and supervision/evaluation.
Question 5
Which task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
A. Initial patient assessment
B. Medication administration
C. Ambulating a stable patient
D. Patient teaching
Answer: C
Rationale: UAPs can perform basic tasks like ambulation of
stable patients; assessments, medications, and teaching require
nursing judgment.
Question 6
A charge nurse is making assignments for the shift. Which
patient should be assigned to the RN rather than the LPN/LVN?
A. A stable patient with chronic hypertension
B. A patient newly admitted with chest pain and unstable vital
signs
, Page |4
C. A patient needing routine dressing change
D. A patient awaiting discharge teaching
Answer: B
Rationale: Unstable patients require RN assessment and clinical
judgment; LPNs care for stable patients with predictable
outcomes.
Question 7
Which of the following is a key component of transformational
leadership?
A. Focus on day-to-day operations only
B. Inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation,
individualized consideration
C. Transaction-based rewards only
D. Laissez-faire approach
Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, stimulate
innovation, and support individual growth.
Question 8
A nurse manager notices that a staff nurse frequently arrives
late and is disengaged. What is the best initial action?
A. Terminate the nurse immediately
