ATI RN Leadership Exam – 150-Question
Practice Exam
Section I: Management Styles and Theories (1–15)
1. A nurse manager who makes decisions without input from staff is demonstrating which
management style?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making where the manager
makes decisions without staff input.
2. A nurse manager who encourages staff participation in decision-making is demonstrating
which management style?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Bureaucratic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves shared decision-making and staff participation.
3. A nurse manager who provides minimal guidance and allows staff to make all decisions is
demonstrating which management style?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Laissez-faire leadership is hands-off, providing minimal direction and allowing
staff autonomy.
,4. Which management style is most effective during a code blue?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership is most effective in emergencies when quick, decisive
action is required.
5. A nurse manager who inspires staff to achieve a shared vision is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Transactional
B. Transformational
C. Autocratic
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leadership inspires and motivates staff to achieve a shared
vision.
6. A nurse manager who focuses on rewards and punishments is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Transformational
B. Transactional
C. Democratic
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership focuses on exchanges, rewards, and punishments.
7. Which leadership theory emphasizes that effective leaders adapt their style to the situation?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
,C. Great man theory
D. Behavioral theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Situational leadership theory proposes that effective leaders adapt their style
based on the situation and follower readiness.
8. Which leadership theory proposes that leaders are born, not made?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
C. Transformational theory
D. Behavioral theory
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Trait theory proposes that leaders possess innate characteristics that make them
effective.
9. A nurse manager who focuses on serving the needs of staff and patients is demonstrating
which leadership style?
A. Servant
B. Autocratic
C. Transactional
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Servant leadership focuses on serving others and meeting their needs.
10. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective leader?
A. Poor communication
B. Integrity
C. Micromanagement
D. Avoidance of conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integrity is a core characteristic of effective leaders, building trust and respect.
, 11. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective leader?
A. Emotional intelligence
B. Inflexibility
C. Dishonesty
D. Avoidance of responsibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emotional intelligence allows leaders to understand and manage their own
emotions and those of others.
12. A nurse manager who uses evidence-based practice to guide decisions is demonstrating
which leadership competency?
A. Clinical expertise
B. Communication
C. Business acumen
D. Evidence-based practice
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using evidence-based practice to guide decisions is a key leadership
competency.
13. Which of the following is a responsibility of a nurse manager?
A. Direct patient care only
B. Budget management
C. Staffing
D. Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nurse managers are responsible for budget management, staffing, and other
administrative duties.
14. A nurse manager is reviewing the unit budget. Which of the following is a variable cost?
A. Equipment lease
B. Staff salaries
C. Rent
D. Insurance
Practice Exam
Section I: Management Styles and Theories (1–15)
1. A nurse manager who makes decisions without input from staff is demonstrating which
management style?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making where the manager
makes decisions without staff input.
2. A nurse manager who encourages staff participation in decision-making is demonstrating
which management style?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Bureaucratic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves shared decision-making and staff participation.
3. A nurse manager who provides minimal guidance and allows staff to make all decisions is
demonstrating which management style?
A. Autocratic
B. Democratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Laissez-faire leadership is hands-off, providing minimal direction and allowing
staff autonomy.
,4. Which management style is most effective during a code blue?
A. Democratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Autocratic
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autocratic leadership is most effective in emergencies when quick, decisive
action is required.
5. A nurse manager who inspires staff to achieve a shared vision is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Transactional
B. Transformational
C. Autocratic
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transformational leadership inspires and motivates staff to achieve a shared
vision.
6. A nurse manager who focuses on rewards and punishments is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Transformational
B. Transactional
C. Democratic
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transactional leadership focuses on exchanges, rewards, and punishments.
7. Which leadership theory emphasizes that effective leaders adapt their style to the situation?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
,C. Great man theory
D. Behavioral theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Situational leadership theory proposes that effective leaders adapt their style
based on the situation and follower readiness.
8. Which leadership theory proposes that leaders are born, not made?
A. Trait theory
B. Situational theory
C. Transformational theory
D. Behavioral theory
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Trait theory proposes that leaders possess innate characteristics that make them
effective.
9. A nurse manager who focuses on serving the needs of staff and patients is demonstrating
which leadership style?
A. Servant
B. Autocratic
C. Transactional
D. Laissez-faire
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Servant leadership focuses on serving others and meeting their needs.
10. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective leader?
A. Poor communication
B. Integrity
C. Micromanagement
D. Avoidance of conflict
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integrity is a core characteristic of effective leaders, building trust and respect.
, 11. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective leader?
A. Emotional intelligence
B. Inflexibility
C. Dishonesty
D. Avoidance of responsibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emotional intelligence allows leaders to understand and manage their own
emotions and those of others.
12. A nurse manager who uses evidence-based practice to guide decisions is demonstrating
which leadership competency?
A. Clinical expertise
B. Communication
C. Business acumen
D. Evidence-based practice
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using evidence-based practice to guide decisions is a key leadership
competency.
13. Which of the following is a responsibility of a nurse manager?
A. Direct patient care only
B. Budget management
C. Staffing
D. Both B and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nurse managers are responsible for budget management, staffing, and other
administrative duties.
14. A nurse manager is reviewing the unit budget. Which of the following is a variable cost?
A. Equipment lease
B. Staff salaries
C. Rent
D. Insurance
