WGU D459 TASK 3 COMPLETE SOLUTION 2026/2027 |
Strategic Planning Change Management & Organizational
Leadership | Western Governors University | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Change Management Theories & Models (Q1-12)
Q1. A nurse manager is implementing a new electronic health record (EHR)
system on a medical-surgical unit. Using Lewin's 3-Stage Model of Change, which
action BEST represents the "Unfreeze" stage?
A. Conducting post-implementation audits to ensure staff compliance with the new
EHR workflows
B. Providing hands-on training sessions and super-user support during the EHR go-
live period
C. Presenting data showing current documentation errors and sharing staff concerns
about patient safety risks
D. Establishing EHR documentation as the standard policy and removing paper
charting options
Correct Answer: C. Presenting data showing current documentation errors and
sharing staff concerns about patient safety risks [CORRECT]
Rationale: Lewin's "Unfreeze" stage creates motivation for change by disrupting the
status quo and highlighting the need for change. Presenting data on documentation
errors and safety risks creates disequilibrium and readiness for change. Option A
represents "Refreeze" (stabilization). Option B represents "Change" (implementation).
Option D also represents "Refreeze" (making the change permanent).
,Q2. A hospital is experiencing a 28% turnover rate among new graduate nurses
within their first year. Using Kotter's 8-Step Model, which action represents Step
3: "Develop a Change Vision"?
A. Forming a retention task force with representatives from nursing education, HR,
and staff nurses
B. Creating a vision statement: "To become the region's premier employer for new
nurses through structured mentorship, clinical ladder progression, and work-life
balance initiatives"
C. Removing the mandatory rotating shift policy that contributes to new graduate
burnout
D. Celebrating the first cohort of new graduates who completed their 12-month
residency program
Correct Answer: B. Creating a vision statement: "To become the region's premier
employer for new nurses through structured mentorship, clinical ladder
progression, and work-life balance initiatives" [CORRECT]
Rationale: Step 3 of Kotter's model involves creating a clear, compelling vision that
directs the change effort and motivates stakeholders. A vision statement articulates
the desired future state. Option A represents Step 2 (Build a Guiding Coalition).
Option C represents Step 5 (Empower Broad-Based Action) or Step 7 (Sustain
Acceleration). Option D represents Step 8 (Institute Change).
Q3. A nurse leader is introducing bedside shift report to improve patient
satisfaction scores. Several experienced nurses state, "We've always done report
at the nurses' station, and it works fine." According to Roger's Diffusion of
Innovations, which adopter category do these nurses MOST likely represent?
A. Innovators
B. Early Adopters
C. Early Majority
D. Laggards
Correct Answer: D. Laggards [CORRECT]
, Rationale: Laggards are tradition-bound, skeptical of change, and rely on past
experience ("we've always done it this way"). They are the last to adopt innovations
and may require significant persuasion or even pressure. Innovators (A) embrace
change immediately. Early Adopters (B) are opinion leaders who adopt quickly after
seeing benefits. Early Majority (C) adopt after seeing others succeed.
Q4. A unit manager notices that 40% of medication errors occur during the night
shift when staffing is reduced. Using Kotter's 8-Step Model, which action
represents Step 1: "Create a Sense of Urgency"?
A. Developing a new barcode medication administration (BCMA) protocol for all
shifts
B. Sharing data with staff showing the correlation between understaffing and night-
shift medication errors, including near-miss reports and patient harm incidents
C. Assigning a clinical nurse educator to train all night-shift nurses on BCMA use
D. Adding BCMA compliance to the annual performance evaluation criteria
Correct Answer: B. Sharing data with staff showing the correlation between
understaffing and night-shift medication errors, including near-miss reports and
patient harm incidents [CORRECT]
Rationale: Step 1 (Create Urgency) requires presenting compelling evidence that the
status quo is unacceptable and change is necessary. Data-driven storytelling about
patient harm creates emotional and rational urgency. Option A represents Step 4 or 5
(developing strategy/action). Option C represents Step 5 (training/empowering
action). Option D represents Step 8 (anchoring change in systems).
Q5. A nurse leader is implementing a new patient fall prevention protocol. Which
strategy BEST addresses resistance to change through "participation and
involvement"?
A. Requiring all staff to attend mandatory training on the new protocol
B. Forming a fall prevention committee with frontline nurses who help design the
Strategic Planning Change Management & Organizational
Leadership | Western Governors University | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Change Management Theories & Models (Q1-12)
Q1. A nurse manager is implementing a new electronic health record (EHR)
system on a medical-surgical unit. Using Lewin's 3-Stage Model of Change, which
action BEST represents the "Unfreeze" stage?
A. Conducting post-implementation audits to ensure staff compliance with the new
EHR workflows
B. Providing hands-on training sessions and super-user support during the EHR go-
live period
C. Presenting data showing current documentation errors and sharing staff concerns
about patient safety risks
D. Establishing EHR documentation as the standard policy and removing paper
charting options
Correct Answer: C. Presenting data showing current documentation errors and
sharing staff concerns about patient safety risks [CORRECT]
Rationale: Lewin's "Unfreeze" stage creates motivation for change by disrupting the
status quo and highlighting the need for change. Presenting data on documentation
errors and safety risks creates disequilibrium and readiness for change. Option A
represents "Refreeze" (stabilization). Option B represents "Change" (implementation).
Option D also represents "Refreeze" (making the change permanent).
,Q2. A hospital is experiencing a 28% turnover rate among new graduate nurses
within their first year. Using Kotter's 8-Step Model, which action represents Step
3: "Develop a Change Vision"?
A. Forming a retention task force with representatives from nursing education, HR,
and staff nurses
B. Creating a vision statement: "To become the region's premier employer for new
nurses through structured mentorship, clinical ladder progression, and work-life
balance initiatives"
C. Removing the mandatory rotating shift policy that contributes to new graduate
burnout
D. Celebrating the first cohort of new graduates who completed their 12-month
residency program
Correct Answer: B. Creating a vision statement: "To become the region's premier
employer for new nurses through structured mentorship, clinical ladder
progression, and work-life balance initiatives" [CORRECT]
Rationale: Step 3 of Kotter's model involves creating a clear, compelling vision that
directs the change effort and motivates stakeholders. A vision statement articulates
the desired future state. Option A represents Step 2 (Build a Guiding Coalition).
Option C represents Step 5 (Empower Broad-Based Action) or Step 7 (Sustain
Acceleration). Option D represents Step 8 (Institute Change).
Q3. A nurse leader is introducing bedside shift report to improve patient
satisfaction scores. Several experienced nurses state, "We've always done report
at the nurses' station, and it works fine." According to Roger's Diffusion of
Innovations, which adopter category do these nurses MOST likely represent?
A. Innovators
B. Early Adopters
C. Early Majority
D. Laggards
Correct Answer: D. Laggards [CORRECT]
, Rationale: Laggards are tradition-bound, skeptical of change, and rely on past
experience ("we've always done it this way"). They are the last to adopt innovations
and may require significant persuasion or even pressure. Innovators (A) embrace
change immediately. Early Adopters (B) are opinion leaders who adopt quickly after
seeing benefits. Early Majority (C) adopt after seeing others succeed.
Q4. A unit manager notices that 40% of medication errors occur during the night
shift when staffing is reduced. Using Kotter's 8-Step Model, which action
represents Step 1: "Create a Sense of Urgency"?
A. Developing a new barcode medication administration (BCMA) protocol for all
shifts
B. Sharing data with staff showing the correlation between understaffing and night-
shift medication errors, including near-miss reports and patient harm incidents
C. Assigning a clinical nurse educator to train all night-shift nurses on BCMA use
D. Adding BCMA compliance to the annual performance evaluation criteria
Correct Answer: B. Sharing data with staff showing the correlation between
understaffing and night-shift medication errors, including near-miss reports and
patient harm incidents [CORRECT]
Rationale: Step 1 (Create Urgency) requires presenting compelling evidence that the
status quo is unacceptable and change is necessary. Data-driven storytelling about
patient harm creates emotional and rational urgency. Option A represents Step 4 or 5
(developing strategy/action). Option C represents Step 5 (training/empowering
action). Option D represents Step 8 (anchoring change in systems).
Q5. A nurse leader is implementing a new patient fall prevention protocol. Which
strategy BEST addresses resistance to change through "participation and
involvement"?
A. Requiring all staff to attend mandatory training on the new protocol
B. Forming a fall prevention committee with frontline nurses who help design the
