ANCC 104 non-clinical practice questions with answers and brief
rationales 2026/2027 VERSION
1. A nurse practitioner is asked to identify the best leadership style for a team
experiencing frequent conflict. Which approach is most appropriate?
A. Autocratic leadership
B. Transformational leadership
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Avoidant leadership
Answer: B. Transformational leadership
Rationale: Transformational leaders promote collaboration, communication, shared goals, and
professional development.
2. Which action best demonstrates effective delegation?
A. Delegating all responsibility for a task
B. Assigning tasks based solely on convenience
C. Matching the task with the person's competence
D. Delegating tasks without providing instructions
Answer: C. Matching the task with the person's competence
Rationale: Effective delegation requires consideration of the individual's skills, training, and
scope of practice.
3. Which communication strategy is most appropriate when resolving workplace
conflict?
A. Avoid the person involved
B. Use accusatory language
C. Address the issue directly and respectfully
D. Discuss the conflict with coworkers first
Answer: C. Address the issue directly and respectfully
Rationale: Direct, respectful communication helps identify concerns and develop mutually
acceptable solutions.
4. Which quality-improvement approach focuses on identifying the underlying
cause of a problem?
,A. Root cause analysis
B. Benchmarking
C. Peer review
D. Credentialing
Answer: A. Root cause analysis
Rationale: Root cause analysis examines contributing factors to determine why an adverse event
or system problem occurred.
5. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice?
A. Eliminate clinical judgment
B. Standardize every patient encounter
C. Integrate evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Reduce the need for research
Answer: C. Integrate evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence with professional
expertise and patient values.
6. Which research design provides the strongest evidence for determining the
effectiveness of an intervention?
A. Case report
B. Cross-sectional study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Expert opinion
Answer: C. Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Randomization helps reduce selection bias and allows comparison between
intervention and control groups.
7. What does informed consent primarily ensure?
A. The provider is protected from all liability
B. The patient understands the proposed intervention and its risks and alternatives
C. The patient must accept the provider's recommendation
D. The treatment will be successful
Answer: B. The patient understands the proposed intervention and its risks and
alternatives
, Rationale: Informed consent supports patient autonomy and requires adequate disclosure and
understanding.
8. Which ethical principle refers to the patient's right to make healthcare
decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes an individual's right to make informed decisions about their
own care.
9. Which ethical principle involves treating patients fairly?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
Answer: A. Justice
Rationale: Justice involves fairness and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and
services.
10. Which action best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another employee for an error
B. Reporting and addressing one's own error
C. Hiding a mistake
D. Ignoring an unsafe practice
Answer: B. Reporting and addressing one's own error
Rationale: Accountability requires taking responsibility for professional actions and working to
correct errors.
11. What is the primary purpose of continuing professional development?
A. Maintain and improve professional competence
B. Replace initial professional education
C. Avoid professional evaluation
D. Eliminate the need for clinical experience
rationales 2026/2027 VERSION
1. A nurse practitioner is asked to identify the best leadership style for a team
experiencing frequent conflict. Which approach is most appropriate?
A. Autocratic leadership
B. Transformational leadership
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Avoidant leadership
Answer: B. Transformational leadership
Rationale: Transformational leaders promote collaboration, communication, shared goals, and
professional development.
2. Which action best demonstrates effective delegation?
A. Delegating all responsibility for a task
B. Assigning tasks based solely on convenience
C. Matching the task with the person's competence
D. Delegating tasks without providing instructions
Answer: C. Matching the task with the person's competence
Rationale: Effective delegation requires consideration of the individual's skills, training, and
scope of practice.
3. Which communication strategy is most appropriate when resolving workplace
conflict?
A. Avoid the person involved
B. Use accusatory language
C. Address the issue directly and respectfully
D. Discuss the conflict with coworkers first
Answer: C. Address the issue directly and respectfully
Rationale: Direct, respectful communication helps identify concerns and develop mutually
acceptable solutions.
4. Which quality-improvement approach focuses on identifying the underlying
cause of a problem?
,A. Root cause analysis
B. Benchmarking
C. Peer review
D. Credentialing
Answer: A. Root cause analysis
Rationale: Root cause analysis examines contributing factors to determine why an adverse event
or system problem occurred.
5. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice?
A. Eliminate clinical judgment
B. Standardize every patient encounter
C. Integrate evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Reduce the need for research
Answer: C. Integrate evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available evidence with professional
expertise and patient values.
6. Which research design provides the strongest evidence for determining the
effectiveness of an intervention?
A. Case report
B. Cross-sectional study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Expert opinion
Answer: C. Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Randomization helps reduce selection bias and allows comparison between
intervention and control groups.
7. What does informed consent primarily ensure?
A. The provider is protected from all liability
B. The patient understands the proposed intervention and its risks and alternatives
C. The patient must accept the provider's recommendation
D. The treatment will be successful
Answer: B. The patient understands the proposed intervention and its risks and
alternatives
, Rationale: Informed consent supports patient autonomy and requires adequate disclosure and
understanding.
8. Which ethical principle refers to the patient's right to make healthcare
decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes an individual's right to make informed decisions about their
own care.
9. Which ethical principle involves treating patients fairly?
A. Justice
B. Fidelity
C. Veracity
D. Beneficence
Answer: A. Justice
Rationale: Justice involves fairness and equitable distribution of healthcare resources and
services.
10. Which action best demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another employee for an error
B. Reporting and addressing one's own error
C. Hiding a mistake
D. Ignoring an unsafe practice
Answer: B. Reporting and addressing one's own error
Rationale: Accountability requires taking responsibility for professional actions and working to
correct errors.
11. What is the primary purpose of continuing professional development?
A. Maintain and improve professional competence
B. Replace initial professional education
C. Avoid professional evaluation
D. Eliminate the need for clinical experience
