NUR 4590 / NUR4590 Exam 1: Professional Identity of
the Nurse Leader | ACTUAL EXAM | Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update –
Rasmussen University
1
A novice nurse manager consistently invites staff nurses to participate in monthly
unit-based council meetings and encourages them to lead evidence-based practice
projects. Which leadership theory is the manager primarily demonstrating?
A. Transformational leadership
B. Transactional leadership
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Autocratic leadership
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership inspires and empowers followers to achieve
higher levels of performance by encouraging participation, innovation, and professional
growth. Inviting staff to councils and supporting projects fosters intrinsic motivation
and aligns with this theory. Transactional leadership relies on rewards and punishments,
whereas laissez-faire offers minimal guidance, and autocratic leadership centralizes
decision-making—none of which emphasize empowerment.
2
,During a rapid-response event, the charge nurse immediately assigns specific tasks to
team members without soliciting input. Which leadership style is most appropriate for
this situation?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Servant
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autocratic leadership is indicated in emergencies when quick, decisive action
is required and there is no time for consensus. Democratic leadership involves shared
decision-making, unsuitable for crises. Servant and transformational styles focus on
follower development, which are less efficient during acute events.
3
Which action best exemplifies a nurse leader’s commitment to the ethical principle of
non-maleficence?
A. Advocating for staffing ratios that prevent nurse burnout
B. Allocating resources to implement a new patient-education program
C. Supporting a staff nurse’s request to attend a professional conference
D. Encouraging shared governance to boost staff morale
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Non-maleficence requires preventing harm. Ensuring safe staffing ratios
protects both patients and nurses from harm related to fatigue and errors. The other
options reflect beneficence or professional development rather than direct harm
prevention.
4
A nurse leader is reviewing organizational policies after a medication error harmed a
patient. Which component of systems thinking is most critical for preventing
recurrence?
A. Blaming the individual nurse who administered the medication
B. Conducting a root-cause analysis to identify latent failures
C. Requiring all staff to repeat pharmacology education
D. Reporting the error only to immediate supervisory personnel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systems thinking seeks to understand interactions within a system and
identify underlying causes of errors. A root-cause analysis uncovers latent failures (e.g.,
environmental, process) rather than focusing on individual blame. Blaming individuals
ignores system flaws, while limited reporting and education alone do not address
systemic issues.
5
The nurse leader is preparing talking points for legislative day at the state capitol. Which
topic best aligns with healthcare advocacy at the systems level?
A. Encouraging individual nurses to join professional organizations
, B. Promoting hospital sponsorship of local health fairs
C. Supporting a bill that mandates minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
D. Teaching patients how to navigate insurance plans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Policy advocacy aims to influence laws and regulations that impact
population health. Advocating for legislated staffing ratios addresses system-wide
patient safety and workforce issues. Local fairs and insurance navigation are important
but operate at the community or individual level.
6
Which characteristic is essential for development of a professional identity as a nurse
leader?
A. Mastery of clinical skills only
B. Internalization of core nursing values and accountability
C. Emphasis on personal career advancement
D. Delegation of all ethical decision-making to administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional identity integrates values, ethics, and accountability into one’s
professional role. Mastery of clinical skills alone does not encompass leadership
identity, while career focus without values is insufficient. Ethical decision-making is
shared, not delegated away.
7
the Nurse Leader | ACTUAL EXAM | Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update –
Rasmussen University
1
A novice nurse manager consistently invites staff nurses to participate in monthly
unit-based council meetings and encourages them to lead evidence-based practice
projects. Which leadership theory is the manager primarily demonstrating?
A. Transformational leadership
B. Transactional leadership
C. Laissez-faire leadership
D. Autocratic leadership
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transformational leadership inspires and empowers followers to achieve
higher levels of performance by encouraging participation, innovation, and professional
growth. Inviting staff to councils and supporting projects fosters intrinsic motivation
and aligns with this theory. Transactional leadership relies on rewards and punishments,
whereas laissez-faire offers minimal guidance, and autocratic leadership centralizes
decision-making—none of which emphasize empowerment.
2
,During a rapid-response event, the charge nurse immediately assigns specific tasks to
team members without soliciting input. Which leadership style is most appropriate for
this situation?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Servant
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autocratic leadership is indicated in emergencies when quick, decisive action
is required and there is no time for consensus. Democratic leadership involves shared
decision-making, unsuitable for crises. Servant and transformational styles focus on
follower development, which are less efficient during acute events.
3
Which action best exemplifies a nurse leader’s commitment to the ethical principle of
non-maleficence?
A. Advocating for staffing ratios that prevent nurse burnout
B. Allocating resources to implement a new patient-education program
C. Supporting a staff nurse’s request to attend a professional conference
D. Encouraging shared governance to boost staff morale
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Non-maleficence requires preventing harm. Ensuring safe staffing ratios
protects both patients and nurses from harm related to fatigue and errors. The other
options reflect beneficence or professional development rather than direct harm
prevention.
4
A nurse leader is reviewing organizational policies after a medication error harmed a
patient. Which component of systems thinking is most critical for preventing
recurrence?
A. Blaming the individual nurse who administered the medication
B. Conducting a root-cause analysis to identify latent failures
C. Requiring all staff to repeat pharmacology education
D. Reporting the error only to immediate supervisory personnel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systems thinking seeks to understand interactions within a system and
identify underlying causes of errors. A root-cause analysis uncovers latent failures (e.g.,
environmental, process) rather than focusing on individual blame. Blaming individuals
ignores system flaws, while limited reporting and education alone do not address
systemic issues.
5
The nurse leader is preparing talking points for legislative day at the state capitol. Which
topic best aligns with healthcare advocacy at the systems level?
A. Encouraging individual nurses to join professional organizations
, B. Promoting hospital sponsorship of local health fairs
C. Supporting a bill that mandates minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
D. Teaching patients how to navigate insurance plans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Policy advocacy aims to influence laws and regulations that impact
population health. Advocating for legislated staffing ratios addresses system-wide
patient safety and workforce issues. Local fairs and insurance navigation are important
but operate at the community or individual level.
6
Which characteristic is essential for development of a professional identity as a nurse
leader?
A. Mastery of clinical skills only
B. Internalization of core nursing values and accountability
C. Emphasis on personal career advancement
D. Delegation of all ethical decision-making to administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional identity integrates values, ethics, and accountability into one’s
professional role. Mastery of clinical skills alone does not encompass leadership
identity, while career focus without values is insufficient. Ethical decision-making is
shared, not delegated away.
7
