Page 1 of 42
NURS 708 ORGANIZATIONAL AND SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP
PRACTICE EXAM MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY — DNP
PROGRAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 708 Exam – Maryville University Exam Practice with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce organizational and systems leadership concepts.
It supports review of leadership theories, organizational management, change
management, systems thinking, communication, teamwork, and strategies for
improving healthcare organizations. Use the practice material to strengthen critical
thinking, leadership decision-making, and application of organizational concepts to
healthcare scenarios. This resource is best suited for Maryville University NURS 708
students, DNP learners, and nursing professionals preparing for Organizational and
Systems Leadership assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT THEORIES
1. A nurse leader is implementing a new handoff protocol to reduce
errors. Which outcome best indicates success of this quality
improvement initiative?
A) Increased documentation errors
B) Reduced adverse events during transitions of care
C) Longer handoff times without improvement
D) Staff complaints about workflow changes
Answer: B) Reduced adverse events during transitions of care
Rationale: Decreased errors during handoffs indicate improved patient
safety and process effectiveness, which is the primary goal of the
intervention.
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2. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making decisions
unilaterally and expecting subordinates to comply without input?
A) Democratic leadership
B) Autocratic leadership
C) Laissez-faire leadership
D) Transformational leadership
Answer: B) Autocratic leadership
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making
where the leader makes decisions alone and expects compliance.
Democratic leadership involves participation, laissez-faire involves
minimal direction, and transformational leadership focuses on inspiring
and motivating followers.
3. A nurse manager who empowers staff to participate in decision-making
and encourages shared governance is demonstrating which type of
leadership?
A) Autocratic leadership
B) Democratic leadership
C) Laissez-faire leadership
D) Transactional leadership
Answer: B) Democratic leadership
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves staff participation in decision-
making, shared governance, and collaborative problem-solving. This
approach increases staff engagement and ownership of outcomes.
4. According to Kotter's 8-Step Change Model, what is the first step in
leading successful organizational change?
, Page 3 of 42
A) Empower broad-based action
B) Create a sense of urgency
C) Form a powerful guiding coalition
D) Develop a vision and strategy
Answer: B) Create a sense of urgency
Rationale: Kotter's model begins with creating a sense of urgency to
motivate stakeholders and prepare the organization for change. Without
urgency, change initiatives often fail to gain momentum.
5. A nurse leader is implementing evidence-based practice changes on a
unit. Which factor is most critical for successful adoption of change?
A) Staff resistance
B) Leadership support and visible commitment
C) Available funding
D) Organizational size
Answer: B) Leadership support and visible commitment
Rationale: Leadership support and visible commitment are critical for
successful change adoption. When leaders actively champion change
and model new behaviors, staff are more likely to embrace the change.
6. Which management theory emphasizes the importance of
understanding human behavior, motivation, and social relationships in
the workplace?
A) Scientific management
B) Bureaucratic management
C) Human relations theory
D) Contingency theory
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Answer: C) Human relations theory
Rationale: Human relations theory, associated with Elton Mayo's
Hawthorne studies, emphasizes the importance of social relationships,
employee motivation, and human behavior in organizational
performance.
7. A nurse leader who adapts their leadership style based on the situation,
the team's maturity, and the complexity of the task is using which
leadership theory?
A) Trait theory
B) Behavioral theory
C) Situational leadership theory
D) Transformational leadership theory
Answer: C) Situational leadership theory
Rationale: Situational leadership theory, developed by Hersey and
Blanchard, proposes that effective leaders adapt their style based on the
readiness level of followers and the demands of the situation.
8. Which of the following best describes transactional leadership?
A) Inspiring followers to achieve beyond expectations
B) Focusing on supervision, organization, and performance monitoring
C) Empowering followers to make independent decisions
D) Avoiding leadership responsibilities
Answer: B) Focusing on supervision, organization, and performance
monitoring
Rationale: Transactional leadership focuses on supervision, organization,
and performance monitoring. It involves exchange relationships where
compliance is rewarded and deviations are corrected. Transformational
leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating followers.
NURS 708 ORGANIZATIONAL AND SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP
PRACTICE EXAM MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY — DNP
PROGRAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 708 Exam – Maryville University Exam Practice with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce organizational and systems leadership concepts.
It supports review of leadership theories, organizational management, change
management, systems thinking, communication, teamwork, and strategies for
improving healthcare organizations. Use the practice material to strengthen critical
thinking, leadership decision-making, and application of organizational concepts to
healthcare scenarios. This resource is best suited for Maryville University NURS 708
students, DNP learners, and nursing professionals preparing for Organizational and
Systems Leadership assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT THEORIES
1. A nurse leader is implementing a new handoff protocol to reduce
errors. Which outcome best indicates success of this quality
improvement initiative?
A) Increased documentation errors
B) Reduced adverse events during transitions of care
C) Longer handoff times without improvement
D) Staff complaints about workflow changes
Answer: B) Reduced adverse events during transitions of care
Rationale: Decreased errors during handoffs indicate improved patient
safety and process effectiveness, which is the primary goal of the
intervention.
, Page 2 of 42
2. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making decisions
unilaterally and expecting subordinates to comply without input?
A) Democratic leadership
B) Autocratic leadership
C) Laissez-faire leadership
D) Transformational leadership
Answer: B) Autocratic leadership
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making
where the leader makes decisions alone and expects compliance.
Democratic leadership involves participation, laissez-faire involves
minimal direction, and transformational leadership focuses on inspiring
and motivating followers.
3. A nurse manager who empowers staff to participate in decision-making
and encourages shared governance is demonstrating which type of
leadership?
A) Autocratic leadership
B) Democratic leadership
C) Laissez-faire leadership
D) Transactional leadership
Answer: B) Democratic leadership
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves staff participation in decision-
making, shared governance, and collaborative problem-solving. This
approach increases staff engagement and ownership of outcomes.
4. According to Kotter's 8-Step Change Model, what is the first step in
leading successful organizational change?
, Page 3 of 42
A) Empower broad-based action
B) Create a sense of urgency
C) Form a powerful guiding coalition
D) Develop a vision and strategy
Answer: B) Create a sense of urgency
Rationale: Kotter's model begins with creating a sense of urgency to
motivate stakeholders and prepare the organization for change. Without
urgency, change initiatives often fail to gain momentum.
5. A nurse leader is implementing evidence-based practice changes on a
unit. Which factor is most critical for successful adoption of change?
A) Staff resistance
B) Leadership support and visible commitment
C) Available funding
D) Organizational size
Answer: B) Leadership support and visible commitment
Rationale: Leadership support and visible commitment are critical for
successful change adoption. When leaders actively champion change
and model new behaviors, staff are more likely to embrace the change.
6. Which management theory emphasizes the importance of
understanding human behavior, motivation, and social relationships in
the workplace?
A) Scientific management
B) Bureaucratic management
C) Human relations theory
D) Contingency theory
, Page 4 of 42
Answer: C) Human relations theory
Rationale: Human relations theory, associated with Elton Mayo's
Hawthorne studies, emphasizes the importance of social relationships,
employee motivation, and human behavior in organizational
performance.
7. A nurse leader who adapts their leadership style based on the situation,
the team's maturity, and the complexity of the task is using which
leadership theory?
A) Trait theory
B) Behavioral theory
C) Situational leadership theory
D) Transformational leadership theory
Answer: C) Situational leadership theory
Rationale: Situational leadership theory, developed by Hersey and
Blanchard, proposes that effective leaders adapt their style based on the
readiness level of followers and the demands of the situation.
8. Which of the following best describes transactional leadership?
A) Inspiring followers to achieve beyond expectations
B) Focusing on supervision, organization, and performance monitoring
C) Empowering followers to make independent decisions
D) Avoiding leadership responsibilities
Answer: B) Focusing on supervision, organization, and performance
monitoring
Rationale: Transactional leadership focuses on supervision, organization,
and performance monitoring. It involves exchange relationships where
compliance is rewarded and deviations are corrected. Transformational
leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating followers.
