ESSENTIALS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly licensed nurse on a medical–surgical unit notices a
routine order that seems inconsistent with the unit’s
medication reconciliation policy. The nurse discusses the
discrepancy with the prescribing provider and documents the
outcome. Which professional characteristic is the nurse
primarily demonstrating?
A. Altruism
B. Accountability
C. Autonomy
D. Professional identity formation
Correct Answer
B. Accountability
,Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
The nurse is assuming responsibility for ensuring safe patient
care by identifying and addressing a medication discrepancy,
which reflects accountability. Accountability includes accepting
responsibility for one’s decisions, actions, and outcomes, and
documenting the resolution. This action protects patient safety
and aligns with professional standards expected of nurses.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Altruism — Altruism emphasizes concern for others’ welfare;
while present in nursing, the scenario centers on responsibility
and answerability rather than selfless service.
C. Autonomy — Autonomy involves independent decision-
making about nursing practice; here the nurse consulted the
prescriber and followed policy, highlighting responsibility more
than independent practice.
D. Professional identity formation — Identity formation is a
developmental process; the scenario shows a specific
accountable action rather than the long-term development of
professional identity.
Teaching Point
Accountability = taking responsibility for decisions, actions, and
patient safety.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse must assign care for an unstable post-op patient.
One staff nurse requests the assignment despite limited recent
experience with this type of patient, while another experienced
nurse is available. Which professional value should guide the
charge nurse’s assignment decision?
A. Autonomy — to respect nurse choice
B. Justice — to ensure fair distribution of workload and patient
safety
C. Altruism — to prioritize staff requests
D. Confidentiality — to protect patient information
Correct Answer
B. Justice
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
Justice as a professional value requires fair allocation of
resources and assignments while protecting patient safety. The
charge nurse must balance staff preferences with competence
to ensure equitable and safe care delivery. Assigning the more
experienced nurse for the unstable patient aligns with justice
and professional responsibility.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Autonomy — Respecting staff choice is important, but
, patient safety and fair distribution (justice) take precedence in
assignment decisions.
C. Altruism — Altruism focuses on concern for others but does
not provide the decision framework for safe, equitable
assignments.
D. Confidentiality — Confidentiality is important but unrelated
to assignment suitability in this scenario.
Teaching Point
Justice ensures fair, competence-based assignments that
protect patient safety.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During orientation, a preceptor emphasizes the nursing code of
ethics when discussing reporting an unsafe practice observed
among colleagues. The novice nurse hesitates because the
colleague is a friend. Which professional characteristic is the
preceptor reinforcing and why is it essential?
A. Professional autonomy; it allows independent choice not to
report.
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A newly licensed nurse on a medical–surgical unit notices a
routine order that seems inconsistent with the unit’s
medication reconciliation policy. The nurse discusses the
discrepancy with the prescribing provider and documents the
outcome. Which professional characteristic is the nurse
primarily demonstrating?
A. Altruism
B. Accountability
C. Autonomy
D. Professional identity formation
Correct Answer
B. Accountability
,Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
The nurse is assuming responsibility for ensuring safe patient
care by identifying and addressing a medication discrepancy,
which reflects accountability. Accountability includes accepting
responsibility for one’s decisions, actions, and outcomes, and
documenting the resolution. This action protects patient safety
and aligns with professional standards expected of nurses.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Altruism — Altruism emphasizes concern for others’ welfare;
while present in nursing, the scenario centers on responsibility
and answerability rather than selfless service.
C. Autonomy — Autonomy involves independent decision-
making about nursing practice; here the nurse consulted the
prescriber and followed policy, highlighting responsibility more
than independent practice.
D. Professional identity formation — Identity formation is a
developmental process; the scenario shows a specific
accountable action rather than the long-term development of
professional identity.
Teaching Point
Accountability = taking responsibility for decisions, actions, and
patient safety.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse must assign care for an unstable post-op patient.
One staff nurse requests the assignment despite limited recent
experience with this type of patient, while another experienced
nurse is available. Which professional value should guide the
charge nurse’s assignment decision?
A. Autonomy — to respect nurse choice
B. Justice — to ensure fair distribution of workload and patient
safety
C. Altruism — to prioritize staff requests
D. Confidentiality — to protect patient information
Correct Answer
B. Justice
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
Justice as a professional value requires fair allocation of
resources and assignments while protecting patient safety. The
charge nurse must balance staff preferences with competence
to ensure equitable and safe care delivery. Assigning the more
experienced nurse for the unstable patient aligns with justice
and professional responsibility.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Autonomy — Respecting staff choice is important, but
, patient safety and fair distribution (justice) take precedence in
assignment decisions.
C. Altruism — Altruism focuses on concern for others but does
not provide the decision framework for safe, equitable
assignments.
D. Confidentiality — Confidentiality is important but unrelated
to assignment suitability in this scenario.
Teaching Point
Justice ensures fair, competence-based assignments that
protect patient safety.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During orientation, a preceptor emphasizes the nursing code of
ethics when discussing reporting an unsafe practice observed
among colleagues. The novice nurse hesitates because the
colleague is a friend. Which professional characteristic is the
preceptor reinforcing and why is it essential?
A. Professional autonomy; it allows independent choice not to
report.
