LEADERSHIP ROLES AND MANAGEMENT
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Requisites for Successful Leadership
and Management
Stem
A newly promoted nurse manager is preparing a unit
performance-improvement plan after several sentinel events.
,She must decide which problem-solving approach will most
reliably identify root causes and sustainable interventions.
Which approach best aligns with effective leadership decision-
making?
A. Apply intuitive decision making based on past experience.
B. Use a traditional problem-solving process: define the
problem, gather data, generate alternatives, choose an action,
evaluate.
C. Implement the first feasible solution to demonstrate quick
leadership action.
D. Delegate the decision to the most experienced staff nurse
without structured analysis.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: The traditional problem-solving process fosters clear
definition, thorough data gathering, multiple alternatives, and
planned evaluation — aligning with evidence-based, systematic
leadership decision-making. It reduces bias and supports
sustainable change.
A: Intuition can inform decisions but is insufficient alone for
sentinel events where structured analysis is required.
C: Rapid implementation without analysis risks repeating errors
and undermines patient safety.
D: Delegation without structured analysis abdicates managerial
responsibility and may miss organizational factors.
,Teaching Point
Structured problem-solving reduces bias and supports
sustainable interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Decision-Making, Problem Solving,
Clinical Reasoning, and Elastic Thinking
Stem
During a mass-casualty drill, a charge nurse must shift rapidly
between protocol-driven actions and flexible creative solutions
when equipment shortages arise. Which cognitive skill best
describes this ability?
A. Rigid compliance.
B. Elastic thinking.
C. Sole reliance on checklists.
D. Linear problem solving.
Correct Answer
B
, Rationales
Correct: Elastic thinking allows leaders to adapt protocols
creatively when standard resources or conditions fail,
preserving safety while innovating.
A: Rigid compliance prevents adaptation under novel stressors.
C: Checklists are useful but insufficient when circumstances
demand creative deviation.
D: Linear problem solving lacks the flexibility required in
dynamic crises.
Teaching Point
Elastic thinking enables adaptive, safe responses in
unpredictable situations.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Vicarious Learning to Increase
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills
Stem
A nurse manager wants to accelerate novice nurses’ decision-
making skills without risking patient safety. Which strategy most
effectively uses vicarious learning?
FUNCTIONS IN NURSING
THEORY AND APPLICATION
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)CAROL J. HUSTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Requisites for Successful Leadership
and Management
Stem
A newly promoted nurse manager is preparing a unit
performance-improvement plan after several sentinel events.
,She must decide which problem-solving approach will most
reliably identify root causes and sustainable interventions.
Which approach best aligns with effective leadership decision-
making?
A. Apply intuitive decision making based on past experience.
B. Use a traditional problem-solving process: define the
problem, gather data, generate alternatives, choose an action,
evaluate.
C. Implement the first feasible solution to demonstrate quick
leadership action.
D. Delegate the decision to the most experienced staff nurse
without structured analysis.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: The traditional problem-solving process fosters clear
definition, thorough data gathering, multiple alternatives, and
planned evaluation — aligning with evidence-based, systematic
leadership decision-making. It reduces bias and supports
sustainable change.
A: Intuition can inform decisions but is insufficient alone for
sentinel events where structured analysis is required.
C: Rapid implementation without analysis risks repeating errors
and undermines patient safety.
D: Delegation without structured analysis abdicates managerial
responsibility and may miss organizational factors.
,Teaching Point
Structured problem-solving reduces bias and supports
sustainable interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Decision-Making, Problem Solving,
Clinical Reasoning, and Elastic Thinking
Stem
During a mass-casualty drill, a charge nurse must shift rapidly
between protocol-driven actions and flexible creative solutions
when equipment shortages arise. Which cognitive skill best
describes this ability?
A. Rigid compliance.
B. Elastic thinking.
C. Sole reliance on checklists.
D. Linear problem solving.
Correct Answer
B
, Rationales
Correct: Elastic thinking allows leaders to adapt protocols
creatively when standard resources or conditions fail,
preserving safety while innovating.
A: Rigid compliance prevents adaptation under novel stressors.
C: Checklists are useful but insufficient when circumstances
demand creative deviation.
D: Linear problem solving lacks the flexibility required in
dynamic crises.
Teaching Point
Elastic thinking enables adaptive, safe responses in
unpredictable situations.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
and Clinical Reasoning — Vicarious Learning to Increase
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills
Stem
A nurse manager wants to accelerate novice nurses’ decision-
making skills without risking patient safety. Which strategy most
effectively uses vicarious learning?
