CNL Comprehensive Exam Review
Questions and Answers
Horizontal Leadership - ANSWER-where there may be multiple individuals who assume
leadership of a team or teams in order to achieve a common goal. A philosophy or of
organizational leadership whereby the structure promotes equality and an open door
policy. This allows team members to voice their opinions and to provide feedback freely.
The CNL must understand and apply leadership theories, work within the patient care
team to plan and guide care, and promote an environment where nurses feel supported
and empowered.
Systems theory - ANSWER-Used in the design, delivery, and evaluation of effective
healthcare
Chaos theory - ANSWER-An organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable,
and constant change. Used to understand rapidly changing, unpredictable healthcare
environments.
Change theory - ANSWER-Critical to guiding clinical practice improvement. Examples;
Kotter's eight step change model that provides and explains that there is a predictable
process to practice improvement change. Kurt Lewin's model that describes three
stages of change: unfreezing, moving, and refreezing
Traditional theory - ANSWER-...
Complexity theory - ANSWER-He is to understand the rapidly changing, unpredictable
healthcare environment. It has its origins in the chaos model.
Histogram chart - ANSWER-A graphical representation, showing a visual impression of
the distribution of data
Run chart - ANSWER-...
Fishbone chart - ANSWER-...
Failure modes and effect analysis (Fema) chart - ANSWER-A systematic method to
proactively evaluate a process to identify how it may fail to assess the relative impact of
possible failures. The purpose is to anticipate potential problems; by virtue, this is best
conducted prior to process implementation.
, 5 Ps - ANSWER-Purpose, patients, process, patterns, professionals. Used when
assessing a new microsystem
Evidence-based practice - ANSWER-Involves applying the best available research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to improve a clinical outcome
Plan do study act (PDSA) - ANSWER-The change process that includes implementing
and testing the change. A model for quickly and easily testing ideas that could lead to
improvement, based on existing ideas, research, feedback, theory, reviews, audits, or
evidence of what has worked elsewhere.
Client advocacy - ANSWER-A hallmark of the CNL's role. The CNL assumes
accountability for the delivery of high-quality care, including the evaluation of care
outcomes and provision of leadership in improving care.
Policy formation - ANSWER-The development of effective and acceptable courses of
action in order to address what is been placed on the policy agenda. This should
include the following characteristics: the problem is identified, possible solutions are
offered, political circumstances are considered, and policymakers, stakeholders, and
legislative staff are involved
Coaching - ANSWER-The C-note does this by evaluating team members and providing
constructive feedback.
Mentoring - ANSWER-A long-term relationship between two individuals focused on
clinical advancement
Macrosystems - ANSWER-Bigger systems made of smaller system
Microsystem - ANSWER-Smaller systems that are functional, front-line units that
provide the most healthcare to the most people; it is the place where patients, families,
and health teams meet. These smaller systems produce quality, safety, and cost
outcomes of the front line of care
Primary prevention strategy - ANSWER-To prevent the onset of chronic illness, focusing
on healthy lifestyle habits and behaviors
Secondary prevention - ANSWER-Refers to methods and procedures used to detect the
presence of disease in the early stages so the effective treatment can be initiated and
complications decreased
Tertiary prevention - ANSWER-Refers to prevention strategies needed after a disease
or condition had been diagnosed in an attempt to return the client to optimum state of
health
Questions and Answers
Horizontal Leadership - ANSWER-where there may be multiple individuals who assume
leadership of a team or teams in order to achieve a common goal. A philosophy or of
organizational leadership whereby the structure promotes equality and an open door
policy. This allows team members to voice their opinions and to provide feedback freely.
The CNL must understand and apply leadership theories, work within the patient care
team to plan and guide care, and promote an environment where nurses feel supported
and empowered.
Systems theory - ANSWER-Used in the design, delivery, and evaluation of effective
healthcare
Chaos theory - ANSWER-An organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable,
and constant change. Used to understand rapidly changing, unpredictable healthcare
environments.
Change theory - ANSWER-Critical to guiding clinical practice improvement. Examples;
Kotter's eight step change model that provides and explains that there is a predictable
process to practice improvement change. Kurt Lewin's model that describes three
stages of change: unfreezing, moving, and refreezing
Traditional theory - ANSWER-...
Complexity theory - ANSWER-He is to understand the rapidly changing, unpredictable
healthcare environment. It has its origins in the chaos model.
Histogram chart - ANSWER-A graphical representation, showing a visual impression of
the distribution of data
Run chart - ANSWER-...
Fishbone chart - ANSWER-...
Failure modes and effect analysis (Fema) chart - ANSWER-A systematic method to
proactively evaluate a process to identify how it may fail to assess the relative impact of
possible failures. The purpose is to anticipate potential problems; by virtue, this is best
conducted prior to process implementation.
, 5 Ps - ANSWER-Purpose, patients, process, patterns, professionals. Used when
assessing a new microsystem
Evidence-based practice - ANSWER-Involves applying the best available research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to improve a clinical outcome
Plan do study act (PDSA) - ANSWER-The change process that includes implementing
and testing the change. A model for quickly and easily testing ideas that could lead to
improvement, based on existing ideas, research, feedback, theory, reviews, audits, or
evidence of what has worked elsewhere.
Client advocacy - ANSWER-A hallmark of the CNL's role. The CNL assumes
accountability for the delivery of high-quality care, including the evaluation of care
outcomes and provision of leadership in improving care.
Policy formation - ANSWER-The development of effective and acceptable courses of
action in order to address what is been placed on the policy agenda. This should
include the following characteristics: the problem is identified, possible solutions are
offered, political circumstances are considered, and policymakers, stakeholders, and
legislative staff are involved
Coaching - ANSWER-The C-note does this by evaluating team members and providing
constructive feedback.
Mentoring - ANSWER-A long-term relationship between two individuals focused on
clinical advancement
Macrosystems - ANSWER-Bigger systems made of smaller system
Microsystem - ANSWER-Smaller systems that are functional, front-line units that
provide the most healthcare to the most people; it is the place where patients, families,
and health teams meet. These smaller systems produce quality, safety, and cost
outcomes of the front line of care
Primary prevention strategy - ANSWER-To prevent the onset of chronic illness, focusing
on healthy lifestyle habits and behaviors
Secondary prevention - ANSWER-Refers to methods and procedures used to detect the
presence of disease in the early stages so the effective treatment can be initiated and
complications decreased
Tertiary prevention - ANSWER-Refers to prevention strategies needed after a disease
or condition had been diagnosed in an attempt to return the client to optimum state of
health
