LEADERSHIP ROLES AND MANAGEMENT
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A charge nurse notices a sudden rise in patient falls on the
overnight shift. After an initial review, she has limited time and
incomplete data. Which approach best uses evidence-based
,decision making under time constraints to address immediate
safety while continuing investigation?
A. Implement a temporary hourly rounding protocol and plan a
full data review during daytime.
B. Wait until full incident reports and root-cause analysis are
complete before changing practice.
C. Immediately discipline staff members who worked the shifts
with falls.
D. Transfer all high-fall-risk patients to a different unit until
investigation finishes.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): Implementing temporary hourly rounding
addresses safety immediately using an evidence-based
intervention while allowing time for full data collection and
analysis, aligning with Huston’s guidance to act decisively and
use evidence-based approaches.
B: Waiting delays action and permits ongoing harm; Huston
emphasizes taking time necessary but also acting to prevent
harm when evidence supports interim measures.
C: Discipline before investigation is premature and risks eroding
trust; it ignores systemic factors.
D: Patient transfers without clear benefit are disruptive, may
harm continuity of care, and are not sustainable.
,Teaching point
Use interim evidence-based measures to mitigate risk while
completing investigation.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
During a staffing shortage, a nurse manager must choose
between delaying elective admissions or pulling a specialty
nurse from a different unit. She uses a consequence table to
compare outcomes. Which decision-making principle is she
demonstrating?
A. Intuitive decision making based on experience.
B. Administrative decision making with satisficing.
C. Rational decision making using structured analysis.
D. Reactive decision making without data.
Correct answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): Using a consequence table reflects rational decision
making—systematically comparing outcomes to select the
option that best meets objectives.
A: Intuition relies on pattern recognition, not structured tables.
B: Administrative satisficing accepts “good enough,” which is
different from systematic consequence comparison.
D: The use of a tool indicates deliberation, not reactive action.
Teaching point
Decision tools formalize comparisons and support rational
choices.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Theoretical Approaches to Problem Solving and
Decision Making
Stem
A nurse educator is designing a simulation to teach novice
charge nurses decision-making under uncertainty. According to
the Marquis–Huston Critical-Thinking Teaching Model, which
element should the educator prioritize to maximize vicarious
learning?
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
A charge nurse notices a sudden rise in patient falls on the
overnight shift. After an initial review, she has limited time and
incomplete data. Which approach best uses evidence-based
,decision making under time constraints to address immediate
safety while continuing investigation?
A. Implement a temporary hourly rounding protocol and plan a
full data review during daytime.
B. Wait until full incident reports and root-cause analysis are
complete before changing practice.
C. Immediately discipline staff members who worked the shifts
with falls.
D. Transfer all high-fall-risk patients to a different unit until
investigation finishes.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): Implementing temporary hourly rounding
addresses safety immediately using an evidence-based
intervention while allowing time for full data collection and
analysis, aligning with Huston’s guidance to act decisively and
use evidence-based approaches.
B: Waiting delays action and permits ongoing harm; Huston
emphasizes taking time necessary but also acting to prevent
harm when evidence supports interim measures.
C: Discipline before investigation is premature and risks eroding
trust; it ignores systemic factors.
D: Patient transfers without clear benefit are disruptive, may
harm continuity of care, and are not sustainable.
,Teaching point
Use interim evidence-based measures to mitigate risk while
completing investigation.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning
Stem
During a staffing shortage, a nurse manager must choose
between delaying elective admissions or pulling a specialty
nurse from a different unit. She uses a consequence table to
compare outcomes. Which decision-making principle is she
demonstrating?
A. Intuitive decision making based on experience.
B. Administrative decision making with satisficing.
C. Rational decision making using structured analysis.
D. Reactive decision making without data.
Correct answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): Using a consequence table reflects rational decision
making—systematically comparing outcomes to select the
option that best meets objectives.
A: Intuition relies on pattern recognition, not structured tables.
B: Administrative satisficing accepts “good enough,” which is
different from systematic consequence comparison.
D: The use of a tool indicates deliberation, not reactive action.
Teaching point
Decision tools formalize comparisons and support rational
choices.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Theoretical Approaches to Problem Solving and
Decision Making
Stem
A nurse educator is designing a simulation to teach novice
charge nurses decision-making under uncertainty. According to
the Marquis–Huston Critical-Thinking Teaching Model, which
element should the educator prioritize to maximize vicarious
learning?
