NUR204
Leadership & Management
Midterm Exam Review
2026
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
A nurse leader influences a multidisciplinary team to adopt a new patient safety protocol. Which
leadership style is being demonstrated?
A) Autocratic
B) Transformational
C) Laissez-faire
D) Transactional
Answer: B) Transformational
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate teams to embrace change and
innovation, which fits adopting new safety protocols.
Which conflict management style is most appropriate when the issue is unimportant but
maintaining the relationship is critical?
A) Competing
B) Avoiding
C) Collaborating
D) Accommodating
Answer: D) Accommodating
Rationale: Accommodating yields to others to preserve harmony when the issue is minor.
When implementing change in a nursing unit, a leader uses Kotter’s model. What step should
occur immediately after creating a guiding coalition?
A) Develop a vision and strategy
B) Create a sense of urgency
C) Communicate the change vision
D) Anchor new approaches in culture
Answer: A) Develop a vision and strategy
Rationale: After forming a coalition, developing a vision directs change efforts.
In resource allocation, what management principle ensures efficient use of limited nursing staff?
A) Span of control
B) Delegation
C) Workload balancing
D) Hierarchical reporting
Answer: C) Workload balancing
,Rationale: Balancing workload helps optimize staff use without burnout.
Which type of power is based on a nurse manager's ability to reward staff?
A) Coercive power
B) Legitimate power
C) Referent power
D) Reward power
Answer: D) Reward power
Rationale: Reward power comes from providing positive incentives.
True/False Questions
A decentralized decision-making structure increases nurse autonomy.
Answer: True
Rationale: Decentralization distributes authority, empowering staff decisions.
Micromanagement improves team innovation in complex healthcare environments.
Answer: False
Rationale: Micromanagement stifles creativity and autonomy, hindering innovation.
Emotional intelligence is critical for effective conflict resolution among nursing teams.
Answer: True
Rationale: Emotional intelligence enhances self-awareness and empathy, key in conflict
resolution.
In transformational leadership, feedback is primarily used to enforce compliance.
Answer: False
Rationale: Feedback encourages growth and motivation, not mere compliance.
A Gantt chart is used to track schedules in project management.
Answer: True
Rationale: Gantt charts visually represent tasks and timelines.
Fill in the Blank
The ________ theory suggests that leaders adapt their style based on the readiness level of
followers.
Answer: Situational leadership
Rationale: Situational leadership aligns leadership style with follower maturity.
The nursing process for decision-making often starts with ________, which identifies the
problem or opportunity.
Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment gathers data to define issues before planning.
_______ budgeting allocates funds based on the estimated costs of planned activities or services.
Answer: Activity-based
Rationale: It links budget directly to activities needing funding.
A nurse leader utilizing ________ communication ensures that team members understand their
roles and expectations clearly.
Answer: Assertive
, Rationale: Assertive communication is clear and respectful, aiding role clarity.
Ethical leadership in nursing requires adherence to principles like ________, which means doing
no harm.
Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is a foundational healthcare ethics principle.
Short Answer
Define 'span of control' and explain its significance in nursing management.
Answer: Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a manager can effectively
supervise. It is significant because a manageable span ensures quality supervision, effective
communication, and better team performance.
What are two key indicators of high-functioning nursing teams?
Answer: Effective communication and mutual trust.
Rationale: These indicators promote collaboration and patient safety.
How does transformational leadership differ from transactional leadership in nursing?
Answer: Transformational leadership inspires change and innovation, focusing on vision and
motivation, while transactional leadership focuses on tasks, rewards, and compliance.
Explain one method a nurse leader can use to reduce staff burnout.
Answer: Implementing flexible scheduling to allow for work-life balance can reduce burnout by
addressing fatigue and stress.
What role does emotional intelligence play in managing diverse healthcare teams?
Answer: Emotional intelligence aids in understanding different perspectives and managing
emotions, enhancing teamwork and reducing conflict.
Matching (Match leadership styles with their descriptions)
21-25
A) Autocratic
B) Democratic
C) Laissez-faire
D) Servant
E) Transactional
Descriptions:
Leader makes decisions without team input.
Leader promotes team involvement in decision-making.
Leader provides minimal direction, allowing independence.
Leader focuses on serving team needs first.
Leader uses rewards and punishments to motivate.
Answers:
1 - A) Autocratic
2 - B) Democratic
3 - C) Laissez-faire
4 - D) Servant
5 - E) Transactional
Leadership & Management
Midterm Exam Review
2026
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
A nurse leader influences a multidisciplinary team to adopt a new patient safety protocol. Which
leadership style is being demonstrated?
A) Autocratic
B) Transformational
C) Laissez-faire
D) Transactional
Answer: B) Transformational
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate teams to embrace change and
innovation, which fits adopting new safety protocols.
Which conflict management style is most appropriate when the issue is unimportant but
maintaining the relationship is critical?
A) Competing
B) Avoiding
C) Collaborating
D) Accommodating
Answer: D) Accommodating
Rationale: Accommodating yields to others to preserve harmony when the issue is minor.
When implementing change in a nursing unit, a leader uses Kotter’s model. What step should
occur immediately after creating a guiding coalition?
A) Develop a vision and strategy
B) Create a sense of urgency
C) Communicate the change vision
D) Anchor new approaches in culture
Answer: A) Develop a vision and strategy
Rationale: After forming a coalition, developing a vision directs change efforts.
In resource allocation, what management principle ensures efficient use of limited nursing staff?
A) Span of control
B) Delegation
C) Workload balancing
D) Hierarchical reporting
Answer: C) Workload balancing
,Rationale: Balancing workload helps optimize staff use without burnout.
Which type of power is based on a nurse manager's ability to reward staff?
A) Coercive power
B) Legitimate power
C) Referent power
D) Reward power
Answer: D) Reward power
Rationale: Reward power comes from providing positive incentives.
True/False Questions
A decentralized decision-making structure increases nurse autonomy.
Answer: True
Rationale: Decentralization distributes authority, empowering staff decisions.
Micromanagement improves team innovation in complex healthcare environments.
Answer: False
Rationale: Micromanagement stifles creativity and autonomy, hindering innovation.
Emotional intelligence is critical for effective conflict resolution among nursing teams.
Answer: True
Rationale: Emotional intelligence enhances self-awareness and empathy, key in conflict
resolution.
In transformational leadership, feedback is primarily used to enforce compliance.
Answer: False
Rationale: Feedback encourages growth and motivation, not mere compliance.
A Gantt chart is used to track schedules in project management.
Answer: True
Rationale: Gantt charts visually represent tasks and timelines.
Fill in the Blank
The ________ theory suggests that leaders adapt their style based on the readiness level of
followers.
Answer: Situational leadership
Rationale: Situational leadership aligns leadership style with follower maturity.
The nursing process for decision-making often starts with ________, which identifies the
problem or opportunity.
Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment gathers data to define issues before planning.
_______ budgeting allocates funds based on the estimated costs of planned activities or services.
Answer: Activity-based
Rationale: It links budget directly to activities needing funding.
A nurse leader utilizing ________ communication ensures that team members understand their
roles and expectations clearly.
Answer: Assertive
, Rationale: Assertive communication is clear and respectful, aiding role clarity.
Ethical leadership in nursing requires adherence to principles like ________, which means doing
no harm.
Answer: Nonmaleficence
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is a foundational healthcare ethics principle.
Short Answer
Define 'span of control' and explain its significance in nursing management.
Answer: Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a manager can effectively
supervise. It is significant because a manageable span ensures quality supervision, effective
communication, and better team performance.
What are two key indicators of high-functioning nursing teams?
Answer: Effective communication and mutual trust.
Rationale: These indicators promote collaboration and patient safety.
How does transformational leadership differ from transactional leadership in nursing?
Answer: Transformational leadership inspires change and innovation, focusing on vision and
motivation, while transactional leadership focuses on tasks, rewards, and compliance.
Explain one method a nurse leader can use to reduce staff burnout.
Answer: Implementing flexible scheduling to allow for work-life balance can reduce burnout by
addressing fatigue and stress.
What role does emotional intelligence play in managing diverse healthcare teams?
Answer: Emotional intelligence aids in understanding different perspectives and managing
emotions, enhancing teamwork and reducing conflict.
Matching (Match leadership styles with their descriptions)
21-25
A) Autocratic
B) Democratic
C) Laissez-faire
D) Servant
E) Transactional
Descriptions:
Leader makes decisions without team input.
Leader promotes team involvement in decision-making.
Leader provides minimal direction, allowing independence.
Leader focuses on serving team needs first.
Leader uses rewards and punishments to motivate.
Answers:
1 - A) Autocratic
2 - B) Democratic
3 - C) Laissez-faire
4 - D) Servant
5 - E) Transactional
