ATI Leadership Proctored V5 2025 - 70 Questions &
Answers
DOMAIN 1 – LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES & THEORIES (15 Q)
1. Q: The unit director is implementing a new early-sepsis protocol. Which
statement by the nurse-manager best demonstrates transformational
leadership?
A. “I will post the policy on the bulletin board so everyone can read it.”
B. “Let’s discuss how this change aligns with our shared vision of zero harm.”
C. “I expect 100 % compliance by the end of the month.”
D. “The medical director wrote this policy, so we must follow it.”
Answer: B – Inspirational motivation (transformational component)
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire followers by linking change to shared
values & vision. Option B is the only one that creates buy-in & meaning. ATI trap:
confuse transactional (A, C, D) with transformational.
2. SATA – A situational leader is evaluating staff readiness to conduct bedside shift
report. Which findings indicate the staff is at an R3 (able but unwilling) level?
Select ALL that apply.
A. Nurse states, “I know how to do it, but I’m uncomfortable with families
listening.”
B. Nurse forgets to use teach-back 50 % of the time.
C. Nurse performed perfect bedside report when precepted.
D. Nurse says, “This adds 10 min to my shift; I want to go home on time.”
E. Nurse asks for a script to guide family interaction.
Answer: A, C, D – Demonstrates competence (evidence = perfect performance)
but reluctance (time, privacy concerns). B & E = R2 (unable & unwilling).
3. Q: Which emotional-intelligence trait best helps a charge nurse de-escalate a
conflict between two RNs over patient assignments?
A. Self-regulation
B. Empathy
C. Social skills
D. Motivation
Answer: C – Social skills (conflict mediation, negotiation).
Rationale: Goleman’s EI domains: social skills = managing relationships; empathy
, = understanding others’ emotions. Need both, but mediation requires social
facility.
4. Q: During a rapid-cycle QI project, the nurse-leader uses Kotter’s step 5
(“empower broad-based action”). Which action best fits this step?
A. Remove redundant charting in the EHR.
B. Create urgency with infection-rate data.
C. Form a guiding coalition.
D. Anchor new culture in policy.
Answer: A – Removing barriers = step 5.
5. Q: Two staff nurses refuse to float to the COVID ICU. Using the Thomas-Kilmann
model, which conflict style is the nurse-manager exhibiting by saying, “I
understand your fear; let’s find a mutually acceptable schedule”?
A. Collaborating
B. Compromising
C. Accommodating
D. Avoiding
Answer: A – High assertiveness & high cooperation.
6. SATA – Which behaviors demonstrate authentic leadership? Select ALL.
A. Charge nurse admits error in staffing calculation to team.
B. Nurse-manager asks staff for feedback on her communication.
C. Leader rotates weekend assignments fairly.
D. Manager uses consistent transparent criteria for promotions.
E. Supervisor withholds information to maintain power.
Answer: A, B, D – Authentic = self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced
processing, moral perspective.
7. Q: A newly promoted nurse-leader is reviewing ethical frameworks. Which
principle supports allocating a vacant FTE to mental-health training rather than
overtime savings?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Non-maleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A – Active promotion of good (patient & staff outcomes).
8. Q: The CNO wants to spread a successful nurse-led mobility project across three
hospitals. Which diffusion-of-innovation characteristic should be emphasized to
early-adopter nurse-managers?
A. Relative advantage
B. Complexity
C. Trialability
Answers
DOMAIN 1 – LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES & THEORIES (15 Q)
1. Q: The unit director is implementing a new early-sepsis protocol. Which
statement by the nurse-manager best demonstrates transformational
leadership?
A. “I will post the policy on the bulletin board so everyone can read it.”
B. “Let’s discuss how this change aligns with our shared vision of zero harm.”
C. “I expect 100 % compliance by the end of the month.”
D. “The medical director wrote this policy, so we must follow it.”
Answer: B – Inspirational motivation (transformational component)
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire followers by linking change to shared
values & vision. Option B is the only one that creates buy-in & meaning. ATI trap:
confuse transactional (A, C, D) with transformational.
2. SATA – A situational leader is evaluating staff readiness to conduct bedside shift
report. Which findings indicate the staff is at an R3 (able but unwilling) level?
Select ALL that apply.
A. Nurse states, “I know how to do it, but I’m uncomfortable with families
listening.”
B. Nurse forgets to use teach-back 50 % of the time.
C. Nurse performed perfect bedside report when precepted.
D. Nurse says, “This adds 10 min to my shift; I want to go home on time.”
E. Nurse asks for a script to guide family interaction.
Answer: A, C, D – Demonstrates competence (evidence = perfect performance)
but reluctance (time, privacy concerns). B & E = R2 (unable & unwilling).
3. Q: Which emotional-intelligence trait best helps a charge nurse de-escalate a
conflict between two RNs over patient assignments?
A. Self-regulation
B. Empathy
C. Social skills
D. Motivation
Answer: C – Social skills (conflict mediation, negotiation).
Rationale: Goleman’s EI domains: social skills = managing relationships; empathy
, = understanding others’ emotions. Need both, but mediation requires social
facility.
4. Q: During a rapid-cycle QI project, the nurse-leader uses Kotter’s step 5
(“empower broad-based action”). Which action best fits this step?
A. Remove redundant charting in the EHR.
B. Create urgency with infection-rate data.
C. Form a guiding coalition.
D. Anchor new culture in policy.
Answer: A – Removing barriers = step 5.
5. Q: Two staff nurses refuse to float to the COVID ICU. Using the Thomas-Kilmann
model, which conflict style is the nurse-manager exhibiting by saying, “I
understand your fear; let’s find a mutually acceptable schedule”?
A. Collaborating
B. Compromising
C. Accommodating
D. Avoiding
Answer: A – High assertiveness & high cooperation.
6. SATA – Which behaviors demonstrate authentic leadership? Select ALL.
A. Charge nurse admits error in staffing calculation to team.
B. Nurse-manager asks staff for feedback on her communication.
C. Leader rotates weekend assignments fairly.
D. Manager uses consistent transparent criteria for promotions.
E. Supervisor withholds information to maintain power.
Answer: A, B, D – Authentic = self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced
processing, moral perspective.
7. Q: A newly promoted nurse-leader is reviewing ethical frameworks. Which
principle supports allocating a vacant FTE to mental-health training rather than
overtime savings?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Non-maleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: A – Active promotion of good (patient & staff outcomes).
8. Q: The CNO wants to spread a successful nurse-led mobility project across three
hospitals. Which diffusion-of-innovation characteristic should be emphasized to
early-adopter nurse-managers?
A. Relative advantage
B. Complexity
C. Trialability
