CNL Prep Exam Questions and Answers
CNLs are trained to practice horizontal leadership as evidenced by - Correct Answers-
serving as a mentor in order to advance the clinical knowledge and skills of other health
care team members
CNLs are trained to mentor new graduates and other staff members in a quality
improvement role rather than bringing new knowledge into a filed of study in a
researchers role
What best describes Kurt Lewin's Change theory? - Correct Answers-The phases of
unfreeze, change, and refreeze and the driving/restraining forces to reach equilibrium
Kurt Lewin's theory is built upon the tree phases of change (unfreeze, change, and
refreeze) which are driven by the driving restraining forces in an effort to reach
equilibrium
A CNL is running the ACLS algorithm for a code blue and leading the interdisciplinary
team. This is an example of: - Correct Answers-horizontal leadership
CNLs work as part of the interdisciplinary team and assume a leadership role in clinical
situations to enact horizontal leadership
What is an example of a CNL demonstrating horizontal leadership? - Correct Answers-
Acting as a coach in an effort to help other nurses achieve their desired professional
goals
As nursing leaders CNLs are in the perfect position to coach new graduate nurses and
experienced nurses who may require a refresher on current evidence based best
practices. CNLs are trained to encourage team members to offer feedback and to
support each other
The clinical microsystem as a setting in which CNLs practice horizontal leadership is
best described as? - Correct Answers-The smallest functional unit on the front line of
healthcare delivery systems
The clinical microsystem is the smallest functional unit on the front lines of health-
systems
CNLs use Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations when practicing horizontal
leadership as demonstrated by: - Correct Answers-using the four components of
orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution
,Essential 9 of the CNL competencies: the CNL demonstrates effective communication,
collaboration, and interpersonal relationships with members of the care delivery team
across the continuum of care
The CNL requires a "tool kit" of skills to engage in the best practices of horizontal
leadership. What would hinder implementation of horizontal leadership for the CNL? -
Correct Answers-The desire to negotiate only firm transactional relationships
The CNL requires a "tool kit" of skills to practice horizontal leadership. Specific tools
include but are not limited to the following: guiding EBP, healthcare outcomes, lateral
integration, use of feedback, coaching, and leading teams
The CNL on a telemetry unit and the quality improvement team developed an evidence-
based heart failure discharge planning protocol. Which of the following methods best
demonstrate dissemination of this protocol using horizontal leadership? - Correct
Answers-Share the protocol directly with other teams
Horizontal leadership requires the CNL to share information directly by involving fewer
middle managers. Horizontal leadership provides leadership for changing practice
based on quality improvement and research findings.
The following definition describes which leadership style commonly used by the CNL: A
situation where there are two or more providers who assume leadership of a team in
order to achieve a common goal - Correct Answers-Horizontal Leadership
Horizontal leadership is where there may be multiple individuals who assume leadership
of a team or teams in order to achieve a common goal
A CNL on the cardiac unit was asked by the unit manager to investigate reports of
increased patient falls on the unit. The CNL first conducts a clinical microsystem
assessment using a systematic approach and the following five P's. What are they? -
Correct Answers-Purpose, patients, professions, processes, and patterns.
The clinical microsystem consist of the 5Ps
The phases of policy formation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation are part of
what process? - Correct Answers-Public policy making process
The phases of public policy making process include: issue identification and agenda
setting, policy formation, policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy revision or
amendment
Which of the legislative acts was created with the intent to improve access, decrease
waste, and support quality through improved outcomes? - Correct Answers-The patient
protection and affordable care act
,The patient protection and affordable care act is legislation created with the intent to
improve access, decrease waste and costs, and support quality through process
changes and improved outcomes.
A CNL on the med-surg unit, creates a checklist that ensures patients and care givers
obtain needed information regarding new medication prescriptions, what type of
advocacy is the CNL engaging in? - Correct Answers-Advocacy for patients
The CNL engages in advocacy to protect patient autonomy when he/she ensures
patients and families have information and understanding to facilitate informed decision
making about their plan of care
In California, which statutory law governs CNL practice? - Correct Answers-state
nursing practice act
The state nurse practice act is the administrative guide for nursing practice
What framework identifies nationwide health improvement priorities and sets directions
for health policy? - Correct Answers-Healthy people 2020
Healthy people 2020 is a framework which identifies nationwide health improvement
priorities and sets directions for health policies. It has expanded to population health
with the goals of increasing the quality and years of a healthy life
When the CNL works within the microsystem to promote universal access to care, what
type of justice is the CNL engaged in? - Correct Answers-social justice
Social justice is upholding moral, legal, and humanistic principles. An example of
engaging in social justice is the promotion of universal access to health care.
The CNL identifies which group of people as those who try to influence politicians or
people in power to make legislative changes on certain issues. - Correct Answers-
Lobbyist
Lobbyists are a group of people who try to influence politicians or people in power to
make legislative changes on certain issues.
The CNL would train a new nurse to minimize the use of the following problem solving
approach to patient care - Correct Answers-Defer to the clinical nurse educator when a
new nurse asks for instructions
CNLs minimize use of middle level providers when possible. The CNL should directly
mentor and train other staff where possible.
, A CNL with an interest in health policy, wrote a legislative proposal that describes the
value of the CNL role in rural hospitals. Which type of advocacy is the CNL
demonstrating? - Correct Answers-Advocacy for the profession
The CNL is a leader in the nursing profession. Advocacy for the profession includes
advocating for the CNL role and the value of the role to an organization and the
healthcare team
The CNL would refer which example of a dilemma to the ethics committee? - Correct
Answers-A mother who refuses to permit her 15 year old daughter to have a potentially
life saving blood transfusion
In many settings, any member of the healthcare team can request an ethics committee
review of a case. The CNL can make this valuable resource known to other healthcare
providers.
What is a crucial leadership skill for the CNL that involves being responsible for what
they do and how they perform? - Correct Answers-accountability
accountability: responsible individuals account for what they do and how they perform.
Accountability generates trust when there is a commitment to achieving an expected
outcome. Being accountable is a way to build and sustain organizational trust and is a
crucial leadership skill of the CNL in practice.
To improve patient safety and quality of care, the new CNL would train others to
minimize the use of which priniciple? - Correct Answers-rigid adherence to a
decentralized approach to decision-making
resilience and sensitivity to operations are core principles that can help address
challenges in high reliability organizations
Which broad area of the CNL role is described as: a designer, coordinator and evaluator
of care of individuals, families, and populations able to understand the rationale for
competently delivered care? - Correct Answers-clinician
The CNL assumes accountability for patient-care outcomes through the assimilation
and application of evidence-based information to design, implement, and evaluate
patient-care processes and models of care delivery.
According to the model administrative rules, the CNL has a responsibility to act as a
client advocate by: - Correct Answers-respecting the client's concerns regarding end-of-
life care.
The NCSBN 2.2.3 standards relates to RN responsibility to act as an advocate for
clients
CNLs are trained to practice horizontal leadership as evidenced by - Correct Answers-
serving as a mentor in order to advance the clinical knowledge and skills of other health
care team members
CNLs are trained to mentor new graduates and other staff members in a quality
improvement role rather than bringing new knowledge into a filed of study in a
researchers role
What best describes Kurt Lewin's Change theory? - Correct Answers-The phases of
unfreeze, change, and refreeze and the driving/restraining forces to reach equilibrium
Kurt Lewin's theory is built upon the tree phases of change (unfreeze, change, and
refreeze) which are driven by the driving restraining forces in an effort to reach
equilibrium
A CNL is running the ACLS algorithm for a code blue and leading the interdisciplinary
team. This is an example of: - Correct Answers-horizontal leadership
CNLs work as part of the interdisciplinary team and assume a leadership role in clinical
situations to enact horizontal leadership
What is an example of a CNL demonstrating horizontal leadership? - Correct Answers-
Acting as a coach in an effort to help other nurses achieve their desired professional
goals
As nursing leaders CNLs are in the perfect position to coach new graduate nurses and
experienced nurses who may require a refresher on current evidence based best
practices. CNLs are trained to encourage team members to offer feedback and to
support each other
The clinical microsystem as a setting in which CNLs practice horizontal leadership is
best described as? - Correct Answers-The smallest functional unit on the front line of
healthcare delivery systems
The clinical microsystem is the smallest functional unit on the front lines of health-
systems
CNLs use Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations when practicing horizontal
leadership as demonstrated by: - Correct Answers-using the four components of
orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution
,Essential 9 of the CNL competencies: the CNL demonstrates effective communication,
collaboration, and interpersonal relationships with members of the care delivery team
across the continuum of care
The CNL requires a "tool kit" of skills to engage in the best practices of horizontal
leadership. What would hinder implementation of horizontal leadership for the CNL? -
Correct Answers-The desire to negotiate only firm transactional relationships
The CNL requires a "tool kit" of skills to practice horizontal leadership. Specific tools
include but are not limited to the following: guiding EBP, healthcare outcomes, lateral
integration, use of feedback, coaching, and leading teams
The CNL on a telemetry unit and the quality improvement team developed an evidence-
based heart failure discharge planning protocol. Which of the following methods best
demonstrate dissemination of this protocol using horizontal leadership? - Correct
Answers-Share the protocol directly with other teams
Horizontal leadership requires the CNL to share information directly by involving fewer
middle managers. Horizontal leadership provides leadership for changing practice
based on quality improvement and research findings.
The following definition describes which leadership style commonly used by the CNL: A
situation where there are two or more providers who assume leadership of a team in
order to achieve a common goal - Correct Answers-Horizontal Leadership
Horizontal leadership is where there may be multiple individuals who assume leadership
of a team or teams in order to achieve a common goal
A CNL on the cardiac unit was asked by the unit manager to investigate reports of
increased patient falls on the unit. The CNL first conducts a clinical microsystem
assessment using a systematic approach and the following five P's. What are they? -
Correct Answers-Purpose, patients, professions, processes, and patterns.
The clinical microsystem consist of the 5Ps
The phases of policy formation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation are part of
what process? - Correct Answers-Public policy making process
The phases of public policy making process include: issue identification and agenda
setting, policy formation, policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy revision or
amendment
Which of the legislative acts was created with the intent to improve access, decrease
waste, and support quality through improved outcomes? - Correct Answers-The patient
protection and affordable care act
,The patient protection and affordable care act is legislation created with the intent to
improve access, decrease waste and costs, and support quality through process
changes and improved outcomes.
A CNL on the med-surg unit, creates a checklist that ensures patients and care givers
obtain needed information regarding new medication prescriptions, what type of
advocacy is the CNL engaging in? - Correct Answers-Advocacy for patients
The CNL engages in advocacy to protect patient autonomy when he/she ensures
patients and families have information and understanding to facilitate informed decision
making about their plan of care
In California, which statutory law governs CNL practice? - Correct Answers-state
nursing practice act
The state nurse practice act is the administrative guide for nursing practice
What framework identifies nationwide health improvement priorities and sets directions
for health policy? - Correct Answers-Healthy people 2020
Healthy people 2020 is a framework which identifies nationwide health improvement
priorities and sets directions for health policies. It has expanded to population health
with the goals of increasing the quality and years of a healthy life
When the CNL works within the microsystem to promote universal access to care, what
type of justice is the CNL engaged in? - Correct Answers-social justice
Social justice is upholding moral, legal, and humanistic principles. An example of
engaging in social justice is the promotion of universal access to health care.
The CNL identifies which group of people as those who try to influence politicians or
people in power to make legislative changes on certain issues. - Correct Answers-
Lobbyist
Lobbyists are a group of people who try to influence politicians or people in power to
make legislative changes on certain issues.
The CNL would train a new nurse to minimize the use of the following problem solving
approach to patient care - Correct Answers-Defer to the clinical nurse educator when a
new nurse asks for instructions
CNLs minimize use of middle level providers when possible. The CNL should directly
mentor and train other staff where possible.
, A CNL with an interest in health policy, wrote a legislative proposal that describes the
value of the CNL role in rural hospitals. Which type of advocacy is the CNL
demonstrating? - Correct Answers-Advocacy for the profession
The CNL is a leader in the nursing profession. Advocacy for the profession includes
advocating for the CNL role and the value of the role to an organization and the
healthcare team
The CNL would refer which example of a dilemma to the ethics committee? - Correct
Answers-A mother who refuses to permit her 15 year old daughter to have a potentially
life saving blood transfusion
In many settings, any member of the healthcare team can request an ethics committee
review of a case. The CNL can make this valuable resource known to other healthcare
providers.
What is a crucial leadership skill for the CNL that involves being responsible for what
they do and how they perform? - Correct Answers-accountability
accountability: responsible individuals account for what they do and how they perform.
Accountability generates trust when there is a commitment to achieving an expected
outcome. Being accountable is a way to build and sustain organizational trust and is a
crucial leadership skill of the CNL in practice.
To improve patient safety and quality of care, the new CNL would train others to
minimize the use of which priniciple? - Correct Answers-rigid adherence to a
decentralized approach to decision-making
resilience and sensitivity to operations are core principles that can help address
challenges in high reliability organizations
Which broad area of the CNL role is described as: a designer, coordinator and evaluator
of care of individuals, families, and populations able to understand the rationale for
competently delivered care? - Correct Answers-clinician
The CNL assumes accountability for patient-care outcomes through the assimilation
and application of evidence-based information to design, implement, and evaluate
patient-care processes and models of care delivery.
According to the model administrative rules, the CNL has a responsibility to act as a
client advocate by: - Correct Answers-respecting the client's concerns regarding end-of-
life care.
The NCSBN 2.2.3 standards relates to RN responsibility to act as an advocate for
clients
