Page 1 of 63
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN NURSING (9TH
EDITION) BY ELEANOR SULLIVAN 2026 EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027 EDITION
Section 1: Leadership Theories and Styles
1. Which leadership theory suggests that leaders are born, not made?
A) Behavioral Theory
B) Trait Theory
C) Contingency Theory
D) Transformational Theory
Answer: B | Rationale: Trait Theory (also known as the "Great Man" theory) posits that
certain innate characteristics distinguish leaders from non-leaders. Modern nursing
leadership generally rejects this in favor of theories that suggest leadership skills can be
learned.
2. A nurse manager who focuses primarily on tasks, schedules, and efficiency rather
than interpersonal relationships is demonstrating which style from the Ohio State
Studies?
A) Consideration
B) Initiating Structure
C) Transformational
D) Laissez-faire
Answer: B | Rationale: Initiating structure refers to the extent to which a leader defines
roles, organizes work, and establishes channels of communication. It is task-oriented.
3. Which leadership style is most effective in a crisis situation, such as a cardiac arrest
or mass casualty incident?
A) Democratic
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B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Answer: C | Rationale: In emergencies where time is critical and immediate compliance
is necessary for patient safety, an autocratic (directive) style is most appropriate.
4. A leader who inspires followers to transcend their own self-interests for the good of
the organization and stimulates intellectual curiosity is using which style?
A) Transactional
B) Transformational
C) Servant
D) Situational
Answer: B | Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on change, inspiration, and
motivating staff to achieve higher levels of performance through vision and mentorship.
5. According to Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory, which style
should be used for staff members who are both willing and able (competent and
confident)?
A) Telling (S1)
B) Selling (S2)
C) Participating (S3)
D) Delegating (S4)
Answer: D | Rationale: When followers are high in both competence and commitment,
the leader should use a delegating style, providing low direction and low support,
allowing autonomy.
6. What is the primary focus of "Servant Leadership"?
A) Maximizing profit
B) Serving the needs of others first
C) Maintaining strict hierarchy
D) Rapid decision-making
Answer: B | Rationale: Servant leadership prioritizes the growth and well-being of people
and the communities to which they belong. The leader shares power and puts the
needs of employees first.
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7. Which component of Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves recognizing one’s own
emotions and their effects?
A) Empathy
B) Self-regulation
C) Self-awareness
D) Social skill
Answer: C | Rationale: Self-awareness is the foundation of EI. It involves understanding
one’s own strengths, weaknesses, drives, values, and impact on others.
8. A transactional leader typically motivates staff through:
A) Vision and inspiration
B) Rewards and punishments
C) Shared governance
D) Mentorship
Answer: B | Rationale: Transactional leadership is based on an exchange process:
followers receive rewards (or avoid punishment) in return for meeting specific
performance goals.
Section 2: Communication and Interpersonal Relationships
9. Which of the following is an example of "active listening"?
A) Planning your response while the other person is speaking
B) Paraphrasing what the speaker said to confirm understanding
C) Interrupting to offer advice immediately
D) Avoiding eye contact to reduce pressure
Answer: B | Rationale: Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding,
responding, and then remembering what is being said. Paraphrasing confirms accuracy
and shows engagement.
10. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the "B" stand for?
A) Background
B) Behavior
C) Baseline
D) Briefing
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Answer: A | Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation. It is a standardized framework for communicating critical
information.
11. Which barrier to communication is created when a nurse uses excessive medical
jargon with a patient?
A) Physical barrier
B) Semantic barrier
C) Psychological barrier
D) Cultural barrier
Answer: B | Rationale: Semantic barriers relate to the meaning of words. Jargon creates
confusion because the receiver does not understand the specific terminology used.
12. Nonverbal communication accounts for approximately what percentage of the total
message sent?
A) 10–20%
B) 30–40%
C) 50–60%
D) 70–90%
Answer: D | Rationale: Research suggests that a vast majority of communication (often
cited as 70–90%) is nonverbal, including body language, tone of voice, and facial
expressions.
13. When giving constructive feedback, the manager should:
A) Focus on the employee’s personality traits
B) Use the "sandwich" method exclusively
C) Be specific, timely, and focus on behavior
D) Wait until the annual evaluation to address issues
Answer: C | Rationale: Effective feedback is specific, objective, focused on observable
behaviors (not personality), and given as close to the event as possible.
14. What is the primary purpose of a "huddle" in a nursing unit?
A) To discipline staff
B) To share quick, essential information and set the tone for the shift
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN NURSING (9TH
EDITION) BY ELEANOR SULLIVAN 2026 EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 – 2027 EDITION
Section 1: Leadership Theories and Styles
1. Which leadership theory suggests that leaders are born, not made?
A) Behavioral Theory
B) Trait Theory
C) Contingency Theory
D) Transformational Theory
Answer: B | Rationale: Trait Theory (also known as the "Great Man" theory) posits that
certain innate characteristics distinguish leaders from non-leaders. Modern nursing
leadership generally rejects this in favor of theories that suggest leadership skills can be
learned.
2. A nurse manager who focuses primarily on tasks, schedules, and efficiency rather
than interpersonal relationships is demonstrating which style from the Ohio State
Studies?
A) Consideration
B) Initiating Structure
C) Transformational
D) Laissez-faire
Answer: B | Rationale: Initiating structure refers to the extent to which a leader defines
roles, organizes work, and establishes channels of communication. It is task-oriented.
3. Which leadership style is most effective in a crisis situation, such as a cardiac arrest
or mass casualty incident?
A) Democratic
, Page 2 of 63
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Transformational
Answer: C | Rationale: In emergencies where time is critical and immediate compliance
is necessary for patient safety, an autocratic (directive) style is most appropriate.
4. A leader who inspires followers to transcend their own self-interests for the good of
the organization and stimulates intellectual curiosity is using which style?
A) Transactional
B) Transformational
C) Servant
D) Situational
Answer: B | Rationale: Transformational leadership focuses on change, inspiration, and
motivating staff to achieve higher levels of performance through vision and mentorship.
5. According to Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory, which style
should be used for staff members who are both willing and able (competent and
confident)?
A) Telling (S1)
B) Selling (S2)
C) Participating (S3)
D) Delegating (S4)
Answer: D | Rationale: When followers are high in both competence and commitment,
the leader should use a delegating style, providing low direction and low support,
allowing autonomy.
6. What is the primary focus of "Servant Leadership"?
A) Maximizing profit
B) Serving the needs of others first
C) Maintaining strict hierarchy
D) Rapid decision-making
Answer: B | Rationale: Servant leadership prioritizes the growth and well-being of people
and the communities to which they belong. The leader shares power and puts the
needs of employees first.
, Page 3 of 63
7. Which component of Emotional Intelligence (EI) involves recognizing one’s own
emotions and their effects?
A) Empathy
B) Self-regulation
C) Self-awareness
D) Social skill
Answer: C | Rationale: Self-awareness is the foundation of EI. It involves understanding
one’s own strengths, weaknesses, drives, values, and impact on others.
8. A transactional leader typically motivates staff through:
A) Vision and inspiration
B) Rewards and punishments
C) Shared governance
D) Mentorship
Answer: B | Rationale: Transactional leadership is based on an exchange process:
followers receive rewards (or avoid punishment) in return for meeting specific
performance goals.
Section 2: Communication and Interpersonal Relationships
9. Which of the following is an example of "active listening"?
A) Planning your response while the other person is speaking
B) Paraphrasing what the speaker said to confirm understanding
C) Interrupting to offer advice immediately
D) Avoiding eye contact to reduce pressure
Answer: B | Rationale: Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding,
responding, and then remembering what is being said. Paraphrasing confirms accuracy
and shows engagement.
10. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the "B" stand for?
A) Background
B) Behavior
C) Baseline
D) Briefing
, Page 4 of 63
Answer: A | Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation. It is a standardized framework for communicating critical
information.
11. Which barrier to communication is created when a nurse uses excessive medical
jargon with a patient?
A) Physical barrier
B) Semantic barrier
C) Psychological barrier
D) Cultural barrier
Answer: B | Rationale: Semantic barriers relate to the meaning of words. Jargon creates
confusion because the receiver does not understand the specific terminology used.
12. Nonverbal communication accounts for approximately what percentage of the total
message sent?
A) 10–20%
B) 30–40%
C) 50–60%
D) 70–90%
Answer: D | Rationale: Research suggests that a vast majority of communication (often
cited as 70–90%) is nonverbal, including body language, tone of voice, and facial
expressions.
13. When giving constructive feedback, the manager should:
A) Focus on the employee’s personality traits
B) Use the "sandwich" method exclusively
C) Be specific, timely, and focus on behavior
D) Wait until the annual evaluation to address issues
Answer: C | Rationale: Effective feedback is specific, objective, focused on observable
behaviors (not personality), and given as close to the event as possible.
14. What is the primary purpose of a "huddle" in a nursing unit?
A) To discipline staff
B) To share quick, essential information and set the tone for the shift
