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
Stem
A charge nurse on a medical–surgical unit must choose
between two candidates to fill a short-term evening shift: an
experienced RN with recent disciplinary documentation for
tardiness, and a new RN with solid skills but no prior orientation
,on the unit. The charge nurse must decide quickly while
maintaining patient safety and fairness. Which action best
demonstrates sound managerial decision-making?
Options
A. Assign the experienced RN because clinical competence
reduces patient risk despite tardiness history.
B. Assign the new RN and request the experienced RN be
scheduled for a daytime shift later.
C. Split the shift between both nurses so the experienced RN
works the busier hours and the new RN finishes the shift.
D. Delay assigning and consult the nurse manager for a final
decision.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Splitting the shift uses both clinicians’ strengths
while minimizing risk from the experienced nurse’s tardiness; it
balances staffing needs, continuity of care, and safety—
consistent with administrative decision-making and evidence-
based risk mitigation.
A: Favors competence but ignores recurrent behavioral risk; it
risks patient safety if tardiness recurs.
B: May place an under-oriented nurse in unfamiliar evening
responsibilities, risking safety and violating orientation
principles.
D: Consulting is appropriate for major policy departures, but
,delay compromises timely staffing decisions and unit
functionality.
Teaching Point
Balance competence and reliability; stagger assignments to
manage risk and continuity.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making: The Nursing Process & Clinical
Reasoning
Stem
A nurse manager reviewing incident reports notices increased
falls during night shift. Data show unfamiliar float staff were
used more frequently nights. Using the nursing process as a
decision-making framework, which first step should the
manager take to address the trend?
Options
A. Implement hourly rounding on nights immediately.
B. Collect baseline data to define fall occurrences and
contributing factors.
C. Require that only permanent staff work night shift.
D. Retrain night staff on fall-prevention measures.
, Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The nursing process begins with assessment—
collecting specific, objective data identifies root causes before
selecting interventions, aligning with evidence-based practice.
A: Hourly rounding may help but is an intervention without
confirming causes—may be premature.
C: Removing float staff is punitive and may not address system
causes such as orientation or workload.
D: Retraining could be useful but should follow a targeted
analysis to ensure relevance.
Teaching Point
Start with assessment—define the problem before selecting
interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision-Making Tools: Decision Grids & Payoff
Tables
Stem
A unit-based committee must prioritize three improvement
projects with limited resources: reduce catheter-associated
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
Stem
A charge nurse on a medical–surgical unit must choose
between two candidates to fill a short-term evening shift: an
experienced RN with recent disciplinary documentation for
tardiness, and a new RN with solid skills but no prior orientation
,on the unit. The charge nurse must decide quickly while
maintaining patient safety and fairness. Which action best
demonstrates sound managerial decision-making?
Options
A. Assign the experienced RN because clinical competence
reduces patient risk despite tardiness history.
B. Assign the new RN and request the experienced RN be
scheduled for a daytime shift later.
C. Split the shift between both nurses so the experienced RN
works the busier hours and the new RN finishes the shift.
D. Delay assigning and consult the nurse manager for a final
decision.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Splitting the shift uses both clinicians’ strengths
while minimizing risk from the experienced nurse’s tardiness; it
balances staffing needs, continuity of care, and safety—
consistent with administrative decision-making and evidence-
based risk mitigation.
A: Favors competence but ignores recurrent behavioral risk; it
risks patient safety if tardiness recurs.
B: May place an under-oriented nurse in unfamiliar evening
responsibilities, risking safety and violating orientation
principles.
D: Consulting is appropriate for major policy departures, but
,delay compromises timely staffing decisions and unit
functionality.
Teaching Point
Balance competence and reliability; stagger assignments to
manage risk and continuity.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision Making: The Nursing Process & Clinical
Reasoning
Stem
A nurse manager reviewing incident reports notices increased
falls during night shift. Data show unfamiliar float staff were
used more frequently nights. Using the nursing process as a
decision-making framework, which first step should the
manager take to address the trend?
Options
A. Implement hourly rounding on nights immediately.
B. Collect baseline data to define fall occurrences and
contributing factors.
C. Require that only permanent staff work night shift.
D. Retrain night staff on fall-prevention measures.
, Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The nursing process begins with assessment—
collecting specific, objective data identifies root causes before
selecting interventions, aligning with evidence-based practice.
A: Hourly rounding may help but is an intervention without
confirming causes—may be premature.
C: Removing float staff is punitive and may not address system
causes such as orientation or workload.
D: Retraining could be useful but should follow a targeted
analysis to ensure relevance.
Teaching Point
Start with assessment—define the problem before selecting
interventions.
Citation
Huston, C. J. (2024). Leadership Roles and Management
Functions in Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Decision-Making Tools: Decision Grids & Payoff
Tables
Stem
A unit-based committee must prioritize three improvement
projects with limited resources: reduce catheter-associated
