Exam 1 Leadership Combination

In an ICU, you order new devices to measure heart rhythm and rate, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, and intracranial pressure. These devices involve: a. Biomedical technology. b. Telecommunications. c. Retrieval of patient history information. d. Internet.

ANS: A Physiologic monitoring devices and patient surveillance systems involve biomedical technology.

An outpatient clinic advertised for RN positions. Before authorizing an open position, the nurse manager should: a. Review the position description and performance expectations for the opening. b. Place an ad in the local newspaper and on the telephone job line. c. Review all current applications on file. d. Look for employees within the system who might best fill the position.

ANS: A The position description provides the basis for this position within the organization and communicates expectations for the role. When applying for a position, researching the facility and position description will help an applicant gain insight into the organization; therefore, the position description should be current and communicate expectations.

What observation by the charge nurse indicates a new nurse needs additional education regarding the safe use of the electronic health record? A) The nurse logs off the computer before walking away. B) The nurse using a computer outside of the patient room minimizes the screen when a family member approaches. C) Before leaving the patient's room, the nurse minimizes her documentation on the computer screen. D) The care assistant needs to document and asks to use the nurse's computer; before the care assistant begins documentation, the nurse logs out of the system.

ANS: Before leaving the patient's room, the nurse minimizes her documentation on the computer screen. Rationale: While minimizing the documentation removes it from immediate view, it is not a secure method to lock down patient information. Logging off or password-locking the system is the best process for securing patient information.

25. Volunteers in a study are assigned randomly to groups. Some of the volunteers receive an herbal supplement that is reputed to control nausea, and some of the volunteers are assigned to a control group where a placebo is administered. This is an example of a(n): a. Longitudinal study. b. RCT. c. Meta-analysis. d. Appraisal tool.

ANS: B RCTs, or randomized controlled trials, always involve testing of a treatment through the random assignment of subjects in the study to an experimental or treatment group or to a control group that receives a placebo.

8. Before implementation of the new policy and procedure on central line catheter care, the nurse manager uses an appraisal system to evaluate the evidence. What is important in using an appraisal system to evaluate the evidence gathered in preparation for development of a new protocol? a. Limiting the search to randomized clinical trials b. Matching the appraisal tool to the type of evidence c. Eliminating qualitative research studies d. Using only pre-processed evidence

ANS: B Appraisal tools are specific to the number of studies, as well as to the study design (type of evidence), type of review, and strategy for determining the applicability of evidence to your practice.

A unit manager recently graduated as a clinical nurse specialist with a focus in gerontology. She applied to take a certification exam. Certification is designed to recognize: a. Basic knowledge in a specified area. b. Advanced practice in functional roles. c. Special knowledge beyond basic licensure. d. Continued competence as a registered nurse.

ANS: C Certification is an expectation in some settings for career advancement in advanced practice or in specialized areas and goes beyond basic preparation.

Which of the following needs revision on a résumé or CV? a. John Jones 87 Highway Drive City, MI 79110 [email protected] b. M. Howes Anyway Highway City, MO 77700 (H) 777-777-0000 e-mail: [email protected] c. Dr. L. Jones 99 Carway Drive City, NY 84003 (H) 999-999-0000 (Cell) 999-000-9999 d. Tanya Jones 67 Honeywell Drive City, MO 66907 [email protected]

ANS: D When including Web or e-mail addresses, it is important to use addresses that are not overly casual or that communicate personal information.

As a nurse manager on the West Surgery Unit, you are interested in increasing patient safety and reducing morbidity and mortality on your unit. What recommendations would be consistent with the IOM The Future of Nursing report? a. Careful screening of nursing staff for substance use and abuse b. Increased RN staffing on the unit c. Salary and benefits that reflect nursing accountabilities d. Increase in the percentage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to 80%

ANS: D The Future of Nursing advocates for having 80% of the nursing population at a baccalaureate-prepared level. This recommendation reflects research that suggests that improved mortality and morbidity rates occur with a better educated work force.

6. The definition of follower has historically referred to a person who is subservient and submissive. The new principles of followership offer a different perspective. What is NOT considered an attribute of followership in nursing? A) Independent decision making B) Critical thinking C) Patient advocate D) No influence over leaders

ANS: D A followership in nursing does have influence over the leaders in an organization. The followers are an integral part of the healthcare team in nursing and provide support, patient care, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.

The final section of a performance appraisal is a rating scale. This scale is very detailed and relates to competency standards specific to surgical clients. The scale is a summary of performance directly observed or documentation reviewed and is specific to client care situations in which the employee has been involved. This type of evaluation is most commonly known as: a. A traditional rating scale. b. Management by objectives/learning goals. c. A forced distribution scale. d. A behaviorally anchored rating scale.

ANS: D BARS contain both quantitative (rating scales) and qualitative data. They are specific to situations and positions.

A new graduate is asked to serve on the hospital's quality improvement (QI) committee. The nurse understands that the first step in quality improvement is to: a.Collect data to determine whether standards are being met. b.Implement a plan to correct the problem. c.Identify the standard. d.Determine whether the findings warrant correction.

C Before further action (data collection, decision making related to correction, and implementation of a plan) can occur, it is necessary to identify the standards against which data collection and decision making will occur. Institutions may or may not adopt standards that are already established by organizations such as the ANA.

As a new nurse manager, you are aware of leadership, management, and followership principles. What is the first step to becoming an effective leader? a. Being an effective follower b. Taking a class on leadership c. Taking a class on management d. Getting an advanced degree

*a. Being an effective follower* Being an effective follower is the first step in becoming an effective leader. A leader may take classes on leadership and classes on management and secure and advanced degree. The first step to effective leadership is effective followership.

Examples of sentinel events include (select all that apply): a.Forceps left in an abdominal cavity. b.Patient fall, with injury. c.Short staffing. d.Administration of morphine overdose. e.Death of patient related to postpartum hemorrhage.

A, B, D, E Sentinel events are serious, unexpected occurrences involving death or physical or psychological harm.

12. Knowing your professional strengths is important to: a. Finding your fit in positions and a career path. b. Maintain a professional status. c. Act in a manner that is legal and ethical. d. Understand the role expectations of a position.

ANS: A Being aware of your strengths is critical in determining what you will bring to a position and can be used to find your fit and possible career path. Knowledge and experience are important in maintaining the privilege of belonging to a profession and of behaving ethically and legally.

The biggest challenge in the recruitment of staff is: a. Finding well-qualified candidates who can function well within your particular work culture. b. Recruiting individuals with the appropriate qualifications and experience. c. Screening out candidates who are unable to function well within a team. d. Determining if candidates have had previous negative experiences in a work environment.

ANS: A Choosing the right individual is the challenge for managers and involves finding qualified candidates who will work well within your culture.

5. The nurse manager wants to use evidence-based recommendations to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. In order to effectively gather evidence to guide practice, what is the critical first step? a. Develop the clinical question. b. Identify the databases to be used. c. Appraise the evidence. d. Integrate available evidence with unit expertise.

ANS: A Identifying the question may be the most challenging part of the process. Once the clinical question has been identified, writing it down will help in moving on to the next step of gathering evidence.

14. Steady state styles would be most likely in which of the following situations? a. Small hospital, in an isolated rural setting, with limited hierarchy b. Large urban teaching hospital c. Health network with several organizations d. Travel nurse agency

ANS: A Steady state career styles (career-long commitment to a particular position) are more likely in rural settings, where commitment to the community is high and alternative career opportunities are limited.

As a leader on a rehabilitation unit, you encourage all staff members to see themselves as having a role in decision-making and quality care. You see your role as involving particular responsibilities in decision-making but not as a hierarchal role. This view of decision-making and leadership is consistent with a. trait theories. b. complexity science. c. situated theory. d. emotional intelligence.

ANS: B Complexity science involves decision-making distributed among the human assets within an organization, without regard to hierarchy.

Elizabeth is an example of a(n): a. Early adopter. b. Late majority. c. Laggard. d. Resister.

ANS: C Laggards prefer keeping traditions alive ("We have always done it this way") and openly express their resistance to ideas (speaking out against the change). Late majority individuals are openly negative but will engage with new ideas when most others adopt the change.

During a staff meeting held to discuss developing a mission statement for the unit, the idea of placing patient needs first is a. empowering. b. a leadership tag. c. a symbol. d. a management task.

ANS: B The term tag references the philosophic, patient-centred, and values-driven characteristics that give an organization its personality; they are sometimes called attractors or hallmarks of culture.

2. A nurse manager has been employed in the same facility for 20 years and has held the same position. This career style is known as: a. Linear. b. Spiral. c. Steady state. d. Entrepreneurial/transient.

ANS: C Career styles that are marked by selecting and staying in a role throughout a career are characterized as steady state.

The home health agency hired an expert in financial management to evaluate and propose a plan for reversing growing expenses and decreasing revenues. The expert is well respected, both personally and professionally, by members living in this small community. To be effective, staff will need to perceive this change agent as: a. Trusted, quiet. b. Flexible, informal. c. Credible, enthusiastic d. Communicative, personable.

ANS: C To influence the decision, the expert must be seen as having knowledge of what matters to the people that they lead and of the change area itself. The expert also must be enthusiastic and communicative and have referent power.

How would the nurse executive begin to increase safety in patient care areas of the Valley Hospital? a. Asking the community what the safety issues are b. Consulting with a management expert about staffing schedules c. Ensuring that the senior nursing officer attends the board meetings d. Instituting improved practices to reduce needlestick injuries

ANS: C The IOM report (2004) highlighted the importance of the attendance of the senior nurse executive at board meetings to be a key spokesperson on safety and quality issues.

As part of orientation to your unit, you decide to administer Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI) to new staff. The most likely reason for your decision is that the use of Kolb's LSI: a. Reduces the cost of orientation. b. Determines if there is fit between learner and organizational values. c. Develops the strengths of the new staff member. d. Enables individualization of learning to the learner's needs.

ANS: D Administration of Kolb's LSI enables identification of the learning styles of new employees, which assists in focusing the implementation of orientation goals and in individualizing learning to the needs and learning style of the employee.

Susan, a new graduate on the dialysis unit, appears to take Kari's remarks very seriously and works even harder, often volunteering for extra assignments. She also is often in Kari's office, advising of successes with her patients and of the extra effort that she is committing. This behavior suggests that Susan: a. Is fearful of losing her job. b. Lacks understanding of Kari's leadership style. c. Is not intimidated by Kari's leadership style. d. Knows how to "play the game."

ANS: D Followers under transactional leadership feel secure about what will happen next or what is needed to be rewarded; therefore, they learn to "play the game." REF: Page 37 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

As part of performance appraisal, the nurse manager designs strategies to acknowledge staff members. What practices by the nurse manager best acknowledge staff accountability and contribution? a.Providing new and varied learning experiences for staff members b.Fostering group cohesiveness through standardization of unit activities c.Allowing professionals greater influence over their practices d.Giving recognition for success and support for failure to staff members

C Facilitating greater control over practices implies trust and acknowledges expertise and performance.

A nurse makes a medication error that is not serious and does not cause harm to the patient. As the head nurse, your best action would be to: a.Call attention to it by posting the critical incidents report at the nursing station. b.Include the mistake on the nurse's performance appraisal. c.Apologize to the patient for the error, and indicate that discipline has occurred. d.Educate the nurse on how to provide an apology to the patient.

D Service recovery ensures responsiveness to the patient, and as part of service recovery, it is important to address an error in the most productive way, which also includes the nurse who made the error offering an apology to the patient.

As a nurse manager, you embrace the usefulness of resources such as Smart Bed. This behavior is important to: a. Budget development. b. A manager's role. c. Succession planning. d. Encouragement of staff utilization of technology.

ANS: D Informatics such as Smart Bed facilitates effectiveness and efficiency in care. By becoming an early adopter of technology, staff members, particularly older staff, who may be less comfortable with technology, are encouraged to value its use in care delivery and management. REF: Page 64 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

Sarah, RN, is one of your most enthusiastic staff members and has been to a workshop on preparing educational materials for patients. On the basis of this workshop, she would like to develop an information Website for patients who are being admitted to the ward. An appropriate response to Sarah's suggestion would be: a. "That is a great suggestion, but we have no resources for such an expensive undertaking right now." b. "Perhaps you can keep that in mind as we redesign our charting system." c. "We have too many seniors as patients, and you know that they don't use technology." d. "There is a great group here that meets to look at technology pilots. Let's see if you can join them and discuss your idea further."

ANS: D Involving Sarah with others who enjoy new ideas and who are able to try out new ideas in pilot projects enables her to remain on the cutting edge and to try out innovative solutions with the least amount of disruption.

The director of nursing has been observing staff interactions in a 20-bed coronary care unit. Based on her observations, which of the following staff members is an obvious leader? a. The unit secretary who knows everyone's business b. The chief nursing officer who is in charge and is responsible for nursing services c. The chief cardiologist who admits the largest number of patients and brings in more revenue than any other physician d. The staff nurse who persuades other staff members to practice by making evidence-based decisions

ANS: D Leaders are those who do the best job of sharing their vision of where the followers want to be and how to get there. It is the ability to inspire others to bring a vision (such as evidence-based decision making) to reality and is not necessarily tied to status or information flow. REF: Page 35 | Page 40 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

13. Which one of the following statements has been proven to be true? a. Recent research has found that women do not have a unique physiologic response to stress. b. Both men and women interpret the same stressor in the same manner without regard to past experiences. c. Stress influences the immune system in one complex manner. d. Stressors that are identical do not have the same effect on each individual.

ANS: D Research has shown that what is perceived as a stressor is unique for all individuals.

A nurse manager wants to decrease the number of medication errors that occur in her department. The manager arranges a meeting with the staff to discuss the issue. The manager conveys a total quality management philosophy by: a.Explaining to the staff that disciplinary action will be taken in cases of additional errors. b.Recommending that a multidisciplinary team should assess the root cause of errors in medication. c.Suggesting that the pharmacy department should explore its role in the problem. d.Changing the unit policy to allow a certain number of medication errors per year without penalty.

B Quality management stresses improving the system, and the detection of staff errors is not stressed. If errors occur, reeducation of staff is emphasized rather than imposition of punitive measures such as disciplinary action or blaming.

As a leader in nursing, one must seek new insights and establish personal tools to improve their lifelong learning. Which behavior by manager would be a concern for a chief nursing executive? a. Journaling for self-reflection b. Authentic relationships c. Complacent behavior d. Improved knowledge of staff

*c. Complacent behavior* A chief nursing officer should be concerned if a manager demonstrates complacent behavior. A manager should continually seek to improve leadership skills. All other options are ways to improve personal leadership.

In determining the relationship between injury-producing falls and proposed preventive measures as part of the QI process, a QI team might turn to which of the following for confirmatory evidence? a.NDNQI b.NANDA c.NIOSH d.AHRQ

A The National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators is a national, nursing quality measurement program from the American Nurses Association that provides hospitals with unit-level performance reports with comparisons to national averages and rankings.

1. A new graduate is seeking a new position in nursing and wants to "sell" herself effectively. The best strategy is to: a. Create a résumé. b. Practice interviewing. c. Call the personnel offices. d. Create a curriculum vitae

ANS: A A résumé provides a customized overview of details of your professional background that relates specifically to a position for which you are applying. Résumés advertise your skills to a prospective employer.

3. In nursing theory, one theorist developed the theory of self-care of patients. In the theory, the nursing action of providing care and educating the patients can be interpreted in the form of followership for the patient. Who was their theorist? A)Dorothea Orem B) Patricia Benner C) Ida Jean Orlando D) Robert E. Kelley

ANS: A Dorothea Orem created the theory of self-care. In using the theory related to leadership and followership, the nurse participates and provides quality care when the patient is unable and educates the patient when needed. In this theory, the nurse is the follower in active, participatory role with the patient.

16. Sources of occupational stress in nursing include all except which of the following? a. Authoritarian leadership b. Concern about moral wrongdoing by colleagues c. Multiple changes in a short time d. Job insecurity

ANS: A Ethical distress, complexity compression, job insecurity, high acuity levels, rotating shifts, and workload are all sources of work-related stress for nurses.

17. Mr. T. Jones and Mr. R. Smith are both going to become residents in Sunny Haven Lodge. Mr. Jones views it as an opportunity to socialize and meet new friends. Mr. Smith views this as abandonment by his family and is worried that the care will be inadequate. Each senior perceives the situation differently. This is a good example of stress that is: a. Both a positive stressor and a negative stressor. b. Occurring only because of age. c. Positive in both cases. d. Harmful in both cases.

ANS: A Some researchers have determined that stress is a person-environment process in which the persona appraises the situation as taxing or not. Appraisal is an important concept that explains why two people react in different ways to the same situation.

As a manager in a new nursing home, where might you consult for guidance and evidence to support the development of safe patient practices? a. Hospitals b. Business c. Industry d. Outpatient clinics

ANS: A Practices that were once mostly studied in hospital settings are now scrutinized for implementation in other settings, such as outpatient clinics, rural settings, and nursing homes.

What does the SBAR approach to patient safety encourage? a. Consistency in assessment and practices b. Continuing education c. Multidisciplinary approaches d. Patient feedback

ANS: A The use of SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) checklists are designed to decrease omission of important information and practices.

On your unit, despite efforts to build a strong sense of team, conflict between some of the staff is ongoing. Nonetheless, you want to proceed with developing a systematic and effective performance appraisal system. Which of the following approaches would be most appropriate for you to implement? a. Peer review b. A combination of tools c. Anecdotal notes d. Rating scale

ANS: B A combination of tools is likely superior to any one method in any situation.

An example of one strategy used to improve participation in the change process by staff fitting the behavioral description of innovators and early adopters is to: a. Repeat the benefits of the change. b. Share change experiences early in the process. c. Initiate frequent interactions among staff. d. Provide select information to the staff.

ANS: B Connecting innovators and early adopters to new ideas and with new peers keeps them at the cutting edge.

7. The chief nursing officer listens to nurse managers verbalize their feelings of internal stress. One common source of internal stress seems to be: a. The death of a loved one. b. Perfectionism. c. Getting married. d. Losing a job.

ANS: B Losing a job, the death of a loved one, and getting married are examples of external stress.

Budgeting and protection of revenues is a function of: a. Leadership. b. Management. c. Team leadership. d. Followers.

ANS: B Managers address complex issues such as planning, budgeting, and allocating resources, whereas leaders address change. REF: Page 54 | Page 55 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

A young male nurse began in nursing as a staff nurse at a hospital. After 3 years, he moved to a home healthcare agency. After 2 years, he was promoted to a managerial position and now has returned to another hospital as a new director of nursing. This career style is known as: a. Linear. b. Spiral. c. Steady state. d. Entrepreneurial/transient.

ANS: B The spiral career style, as described by Friss (1989), involves an in-and-out and up-and-down approach to opportunities.

A young male nurse began in nursing as a staff nurse at a hospital. After 3 years, he moved to a home healthcare agency for increase in pay and taking a position as a manager in the agency. What type of motivation does this exemplify in career success? a. Internal b. External c. Spiral d. Entrepreneurial

ANS: B This type of career success is exemplified by external focus or motivation. The motivation in external focus is from tangible measures such as salary and promotions.

When goals/outcomes are somewhat unclear in early preparation for a complex change, the manager and the change management team develop several acceptable goals/outcomes. This change in management approach is termed: a. Unfreezing. b. Nonlinear. c. Cybernetic. d. Linear.

ANS: B While Lewin's theory was designed to describe planned or first-order changes, many scholars think the theory is too simplistic to address how unplanned or second-order change occurs. In complex situations with an uncertain change environment, a nonlinear approach that involves flexibility improves overall outcomes. Linear change is appropriate to stable, less complex, and more predictable situations

Which of the following might best conclude an interview? a. "Thank you for your interest. Someone will be in touch with you soon." b. "Before you go, we will make sure that we have your contact information. Thank you for coming." c. "I will be in contact with all candidates by telephone by next Friday. It has been a pleasure to meet you." d. "We have several excellent candidates so I am not sure about the outcome of the interview, but I will let you know. Thank you for coming."

ANS: C An employment interview should always conclude with information as to how and when follow-up to the interview will occur.

In planning a new wing, the nurse manager complies with the workplace safety requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Which of the following groups is considered to be at high risk for violence in the workplace? a. Pediatric staff b. Postsurgical unit staff c. Emergency Department staff d. Medical oncology unit staff

ANS: C Nurse managers have responsibility for both patient and staff safety. High-risk areas, such as the Emergency Department, require special attention. REF: Page 60 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

22. In preparing for a fair interview process as a hiring manager, you should: a. Put water out for the candidates. b. Ensure that you know the names of all candidates. c. Dress comfortably and professionally. d. Prepare a schedule of questions to be asked of all candidates.

ANS: D Although providing water, knowing names, and dressing appropriately sets a professional and respectful tone for the interview, developing a schedule of questions to be asked of all candidates is important for gathering comparative data and ensuring equitable treatment.

The chief nursing officer understands that to be able to compare data across client populations and sites, it is important that nurses use: a. Similar settings. b. Information systems. c. Knowledge systems. d. Structured nursing languages

ANS: D Data are standardized and use structured terminology, which enables cross-site comparisons.

To effectively achieve a change goal/outcome in a change situation, the wound care specialist will: a. Preserve the status quo. b. Diminish facilitators and reinforce barriers. c. Weigh the strength of forces. d. Strengthen facilitating forces.

ANS: D For change to be effective, the facilitators must exceed the force of the barriers; thus, strengthening the facilitating forces would achieve this aim.

Resistance is most likely when change: a. Is not well understood. b. Involves many layers in an organization. c. Involves nonprofessional workers. d. Threatens personal security.

ANS: D Resistance and reluctance commonly occur when personal security is threatened and may involve loss of confidence in abilities or loss of job or financial security.

How would a nurse manager and the staff prepare for redesignation as a Magnet® Hospital? a. Commit staff resources over a 6-month period to updating procedure manuals. b. Educate staff through meetings and training sessions regarding appropriate answers to questions. c. Prepare a manual that outlines orientation procedures and ensure that all safety issues are addressed. d. Ensure that there are empirical data to support review of patient outcomes, actions taken, and results of actions.

ANS: D Through the Magnet® model, organizations must demonstrate how they provide excellence in five areas. Between designation and redesignation as a Magnet® organization, greater emphasis is placed on empirical quality results.

As a nurse manager and the leader of the unit, you are aware of multiple avenues for learning leadership traits. Which avenues would you pursue for learning leadership traits? (select all that apply) a. Attending professional conferences b. Reading books on leadership c. joining professional organizations d. Connecting with other leaders in the organization e. Experiences from new nurses

! *a. Attending professional conferences* *b. Reading books on leadership* *c. joining professional organizations* *d. Connecting with other leaders in the organization* We can learn leadership through multiple avenues. For example, attending professional association meetings, reading, and connecting with others at a local, state, or national level allow us to learn from others about their development as a leader.

A nursing unit is interested in refining its self-medication processes. In beginning this process, the team is interested in how frequently errors occur with different patients. To assist with visualizing this question, which organizational tool is most appropriate? a.Histogram b.Flowchart c.Fishbone diagram d.Pareto chart

A Histograms are bar graphs that are useful in outlining and identifying frequency.

22. Knowing when to have the entire team participate in the decision-making process or when to have only the team leader make the decisions depends on the situation and the desired outcomes. The autocratic process is used in which of the following situations? a. The task and the outcome are relatively simple and defined b. It is unlikely that the group will reach a consensus. c. A decision has to be discussed thoroughly. d. A number of options need to be considered.

ANS: A An autocratic style is appropriate when rapid decision making is required and in situations where the task and the potential outcome are well-defined. REF: Page 103 | Page 104 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

Complex change situations require that the change leader promote ongoing visioning among staff members. One strategy is to: a. Consciously evaluate invisible mental models. b. Allow for individual outcomes. c. Encourage cooperative activities. d. Operate between order and disorder.

ANS: A Senge's theory on change suggests that each individual or organization bases activities on a set of assumptions, or a set of beliefs, or mental pictures about the way that the world should work. When these invisible models are uncovered and consciously evaluated, it is possible to determine their influences on work accomplishment.

The nurse is educating older adult patients on staying safe in the healthcare system. What information does the nurse include in the teaching? a. The need to understand and record all medications being taken. b. Bringing their own linens and other personal items to the hospital. c. Washing hands frequently while in a healthcare environment and using a hand sanitizer. d. Following closely the directions and orders of healthcare providers.

ANS: A The Five Steps to Safer Health Care for patients include keeping a list of medications that patients are taking.

As a nurse manager, you want to institute point-of-care devices on your unit. The rationale that you provide to support the point-of-care devices includes: (Select all that apply.) A) reduction in incidents of medication error. B) immediate documentation of care. C) comparison of patient data with previous data. D) immediate access to staffing schedules.

ANS: A, B, C Point-of-care devices that allow documentation of assessment, care, and teaching at the bedside reduce the gap in time between care and documentation, thereby reducing error, increasing accuracy, and improving communication of care. Medication devices and patient databases enable accurate clinical decision making.

MULTIPLE RESPONSE 1. High levels of work-related stress affect all but which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. Job satisfaction b. Absenteeism and turnover c. Nurses' health d. Client welfare

ANS: A, B, C, D Many writers and researchers have found that these work-related areas are adversely affected by stress.

Which of the following are examples of application of the Leadership Rounding Tool? (Select all that apply.) a. "What is working well for you during bedside reporting?" b. "What has not worked for you today?" c. "Is there someone on your team who deserves special recognition for her efforts in the implementation?" d. "Did you have a good vacation?"

ANS: A, B, C, D The Leadership Rounding Tool suggests establishing and maintaining rapport and asking what is working well, what was a barrier, and who should be recognized, as well as answering tough questions.

Recruiting among the emerging workforce (18- to 35-year-olds) is a challenge for healthcare agencies. Marketing brochures should address the leadership and vision of the healthcare agency. Which of the following workplace environments will attract applicants in the emerging workforce? a. A highly professional environment b. A nurturing and receptive environment c. An environment highlighted by lots of meetings, so staff members can have lots of input d. A totally online environment, so staff members will not have to interface with uncaring colleagues

ANS: B A study of student nurses who represent this age group indicates that they want a leader who is receptive, approachable, a team player, and motivating. REF: Page 43 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

18. Jeff, an RN in his 30s, has lost a parent, just purchased a new home, and is laid off with 6 months' severance pay. A the same time, Jerry, an RN in his 50s, is financially secure and is asked to take early retirement with a buyout. How will the two men react to the emotional and physical influences and the sequence of stress? a. The younger man will feel more stress. b. The two men may or may not feel the same amount of stress. c. The older man will feel more stress. d. Neither man will experience any stress..

ANS: B The amount of stress is unpredictable. Responses to stress are affected by factors such as age, gender, personality, culture, lifestyle, health, and life experiences

In working with Cheryl, her mentor suggests that it is really important for Cheryl to engage in self-appraisal and to know her strengths. This observation is based on an understanding that: a. Self-confidence comes automatically out of leading. b. Self-confidence requires constant self-affirmation of strengths. c. There is little external motivation and affirmation in leadership. d. Supervisors of leaders rarely provide feedback.

ANS: C Followers usually hold opinions about decisions that are made; these opinions can be favorable or not, which means that external motivation and affirmation are rare. Leaders have to be confident in their own abilities and enthused about the vision that they have created. REF: Page 44 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

3. The nurse manager decides to change staffing schedules in the intensive care unit. She chooses to use Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory to implement the change. What are the elements of Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory? a. Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation b. Preparation, validation, synthesis, and evaluation c. Knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and evaluation d. Scanning, diagnosis, decision making, application, and reevaluation

ANS: C Nurse managers disseminate research findings to patient care team members. Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory provides a useful model for integration of evidence into practice.

6. To solve a problem, the nurse manager understands that the most important problem-solving step is: a. The implementation phase. b. Identification of numerous solutions. c. Accurate identification of the problem. d. Evaluation of the effectiveness of problem resolution.

ANS: C To proceed effectively, it is important to determine if a problem exists and to accurately identify a problem. Failure to resolve problems is most often linked to improper identification of the problem. REF: Page 109 | Page 110 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

A necessary, basic condition for successful integration of clinical information systems is: a. Software. b. Standard medical nomenclature. c. Confirmatory evidence from nursing-led studies. d. Strong interdisciplinary cultures.

ANS: D An integrated clinical information system draws on specific knowledge from many involved disciplines that interface at the patient. Successful integration of clinical information systems requires that the various disciplines work together collaboratively to transform the data into meaningful knowledge.

A nurse manager in the ICU works with his staff to develop an appraisal instrument that includes quantitative data and respects standards for an RN working on that unit. This type of appraisal is a: a. Rating scale. b. Collaboratively based appraisal system. c. Narrative instrument. d. Behaviorally anchored rating scale.

ANS: D Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARSs) describe performance quantitatively and qualitatively.

Which of the following is not important in a positive work environment, as defined by the AONE? a. Clear, open, trustful communication b. Accountability and clarity of roles and responsibilities c. Participatory decision making d. Challenge and striving for excellence

ANS: D Clear and open communication, accountability and clarity of roles, and participatory decision making are considered by the AONE to be important to a healthy environment. Challenge and excellence are not specifically identified by the AONE as important to healthy work environments. REF: Pages 60-63 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

15. A staff nurse approaches the unit manager and indicates to her that because of her father's death in the previous month, she is now finding it very difficult to do her work effectively. This would be considered a(n) ________ stress. a. Internal source b. Familial c. Burnout d. External

ANS: D External stress is outside and removed from the work setting, but it is considered work-related stress because of the impact it has on the worker.

The wound care nurse decided to involve those to be affected by change early in the change management process. This can positively result in: a. Coordination. b. Resistance. c. Anticipation. d. Participation.

ANS: D Successful change means persistence and advancement of the change, which requires the undivided focus of all team members. Early involvement and participation are critical to capturing the undivided focus of team members.

10. In helping nurse managers to manage their time, the chief nursing officer suggests that they: a. Maintain a perfectionistic attitude. b. Set up a complaint list. c. Have good negotiation skills. d. Have good information literacy skills.

ANS: D Time can be saved by using information technology effectively, as it assists with effective data retrieval and information gathering and with communication related to a variety of needs in the management setting.

19. A cover letter and a résumé together should be no longer than ________ page(s). a. Two b. One c. Four d. Three

ANS: D Two pages is recommended for a résumé and one for a cover letter.

With the rise of violence in the psychiatric department, the nurse manager decides that she should work with the risk manager in violence prevention. The nurse manager should: a.Request all staff to accept new risk management practices. b.Hold staff accountable for safe practices. c.Document inappropriate behavior. d.Hire more police security.

B Active involvement of staff in risk management activities is key to prevention of adverse events. Nursing has a primary role in leadership in optimizing patient outcomes, preventing patient care issues, and mitigating adverse events. Accountability for safety can be one aspect of performance evaluations.

A new RN staff member asks you about the difference between QA and QI. You explain the difference by giving an example of QI. a."Last year, the management team established new outcomes that addressed issues such as medication errors." b."At a staff meeting last year, two of our staff commented on the number of recent falls and asked, 'What can we do about it?'" c."A process audit was done recently to determine how much time was being spent on patient documentation." d."Errors are reported on our new computerized forms, and I follow up with staff to make sure that they understand the seriousness of their error."

B In QI, followers invest in the process by continually asking "What makes this indicator important to measure?" "What has been done to improve it?" "What can I do to improve it?"

Before beginning a continuous quality improvement project, a nurse should determine the minimal safety level of care by referring to the: a.Procedure manual. b.Nursing care standards. c.Litigation rate of unsafe practice. d.Job descriptions of the organization.

B Standards establish the minimal safety level of care. Procedure manuals provide information about how standards are to be achieved.

A method commonly used in Quality Assurance to monitor adherence to established standards is: a.A Pareto chart. b.Brainstorming. c.Patient interviews. d.Chart audit.

D Chart audits are a common method of addressing process standards. Chart audits over time yield trend charts.

A new nurse sees a flyer for a workshop on healthcare relationship building and recognizes that relationship building with those in current leadership positions is challenging for her. She decides to attend. By making the decision to attend what is the new nurse demonstrating? A) Social awareness B) Self-management C) Strengths-based learning D) Personal leadership

*B) Self-management* Social awareness looks outward to others. Strengths-based learning is learning that builds on current strengths, which is not the case in this scenario. Personal leadership is leadership that is the full integration of who an individual is and the path they set for their life. Self-management requires that we act independently to strengthen those things that we do not do well.

At the end of a shift, the charge nurse shares with the new nurse she had done an excellent job with a difficult patient that day. The new nurse was upset by the way the family of the patient had treated her. She shared her feeling with the charge nurse. The charge nurse offered to change the assignment the following day. What is the charge nurse displaying? a. Emotional intelligence b. Comportment c. Compassion d. Management of conflict

*a. Emotional intelligence* The charge nurse is demonstrating emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence requires an individual to relate to others based on emotions and social awareness of situations. The charge nurse displayed emotional intelligence by supporting the new nurse and offering to change the assignment the next day.

The manager is using self-reflection to gain insight into improving the leadership skills. By using self-awareness what does a leader develop? a. New knowledge b. Personal growth c. Improved self esteem d. Management skills

*a. New knowledge* By using the self-awareness, and essential task for leadership the leader cultivates personal insights and new knowledge of themselves as a leader. Personal growth may or may not occur with self-reflection, improved self-esteem is not guaranteed, and management skills are not obtained.

A nursing-led classification system that has led to greater reliability and standardization in data utilized for QI processes is: a.NANDA. b.AHRQ. c.NIOSH. d.Nursing process.

A NANDA has been developed by nurses and uses standardized terminology that enables study of health problems across populations, settings, and caregivers.

8. The staff development educator presents a series of programs on stress management to the nurse managers. Research has indicated that an individual's ability to deal with stress is moderated by psychological hardiness. Psychological hardiness is a composite of: a. Commitment, control, and challenge. b. Commitment, powerlessness, and passivity. c. Commitment, control, and passivity. d. Decreased isolation, challenge, and passivity.

ANS: A Some people have the capacity to accept changes in life with good humor and resilience, which, in turn, influences behavior that prevents illness. Hardiness involves the capacity to manage time and stress, to reframe situations positively, and to commit.

What would managers and staff review annually in order to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) to improve patient safety? a. Appropriateness of charting terms and abbreviations b. Nursing hours per patient c. Acuity of patient admissions d. Wait times for care

ANS: A The Joint Commission issues setting-specific patient goals annually, as well as a list of "do-not-use" terms, abbreviations, and symbols and sentinel events.

John, a new graduate, reviews the employee evaluation for his new position. The first section requires that he list his own specific objectives to be accomplished. This is an example of: a. The traditional rating scale. b. Learning goals, or management by objectives. c. A forced distribution scale. d. A behavior-anchored rating scale.

ANS: B In management by objectives, the employer and the employee jointly establish clear and measurable objectives for the next performance period.

The chief nursing officer establishes a shared governance model to help empower the nursing staff, thus empowering the organization. Common characteristics of empowered organizations are: a. Shared values, high salaries, and a human focus. b. Shared values, flexibility, and a human-capital focus. c. Commitment to communication, high salaries, and flexibility for evaluations. d. Creation of community and of effective stress management in the midst of divergent goals.

ANS: B Shared governance involves valuing the contributions of each member of the team, releasing the need to control, and understanding that accountability rests with members of the team.

Kari, a head nurse on the dialysis unit, has been informed during budget planning meetings that budget cuts are likely. She discusses this at the next unit meeting and tells staff members that unless they do their jobs well, their positions may be terminated, and there will be no replacement. Kari is enacting which management style? a. Transformational b. Transactional c. Trusting d. Truthful

ANS: B Transactional leaders tend to rely on position and power, and they tend to reward and punish according to performance and conformity with expectations. REF: Page 37 | Page 38 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

11. Which of the following statements would best define stress? Stress is: a. The comfortable gap between how we like our life to be and how it actually is. b. Everyday life, both the highs and the lows. c. A consequence or response to an event or stimulus that can be positive or negative. d. Identical to distress.

ANS: C Stress is defined as a consequence or response to an event or stimulus. It is not inherently bad (distress), and whether highs and lows are seen as distress or eustress is dependent on each individual's interpretation of the event.

4. Before beginning her own nursing agency, a nurse worked with other temporary nursing agencies in nine states. This career style is known as: a. Linear. b. Spiral. c. Steady state. (old) / external (new) d. Entrepreneurial/transient.(old) / internal (new)

ANS: D (old) The entrepreneurial/transient career style, as described by Friss (1989), is appealing to nurses who enjoy variety in experiences. (new) This is an example of internally motivated career success for the nurse. She set a goal and achieved the goal, meeting her own internal focus and resulting in her career success.

An example of one strategy to improve participation in the change process by staff fitting the behavioral descriptions of laggards, early majority, late majority, and rejecters is to: a. Encourage teamwork. b. Transfer to a different unit. c. Require attendance at staff meetings. d. Delegate the roles and tasks of change.

ANS: D According to Rogers's work, the individual's decision-making actions pass through five sequential stages. The decision to not accept the new idea may occur at any stage. However, peer change agents and formal change managers can facilitate movement through these stages by encouraging the use of the idea and providing information about its benefits and disadvantages.

2. As a nurse manager, you are a leader and a follower in health care and on the unit you manage. Looking at the larger picture of health care and patient environment on the unit, what is the primary role of the followers on the unit, as defined in nursing? A) Direct care provider B) Implements leader's policy unquestioned C) Passive role on unit D) Devalued staff member

ANS: A Often, the staff nurses are the followers and the role in nursing is the one of direct care provider. The nurses are independent thinkers who implement policy with understanding and question if needed, they are not possible and one of the most valued members of the health care team.

After being interviewed for the unit manager position, the staff nurse reflects on the interview process. The staff nurse is aware that leadership begins: a. Within. b. Through a relationship with a mentor. c. With the job description. d. With the chief nursing officer of the organization.

ANS: A People notice differences in workplaces and tend to choose those that evidence a high degree of trust between leaders and followers. Stephen M.R. Covey suggests that trust begins with self and that leaders must focus first on developing character and confidence, which is their credibility. Credibility enables leaders to trust themselves and gives others someone or something that they can trust. REF: Page 40 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

4. During a fire drill, several psychiatric patients become agitated. The nurse manager quickly assigns a staff member to each patient. This autocratic decision style is most appropriate for: a. Routine problems. b. Crisis situations. c. Managers who prefer a "telling" style. d. Followers who cannot agree on a solution.

ANS: B An autocratic style is appropriate when rapid decision making is required, such as in a crisis situation. REF: Page 103 | Page 104 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

9. The chief nursing officer understands that a nurse manager can exhibit stress that is related to management mistakes. An example of a management mistake is: a. Achieving excellence on the job. b. Following others' expectations. c. Organizing the desktop. d. Organizing the calendar of events.

ANS: B Following the expectations of others is attributed to role strain. Role strain involves a subjective state that occurs when social stress is present.

You document your patient's vital signs into a bedside documentation device and are able to compare your patient's vital signs with patients who have similar diagnoses and similar medications, and who are of a similar age. You are accessing: a. E-mail. b. Telecommunications. c. A database. d. Technology.

ANS: C A database is a collection of data elements stored and organized together for the purposes of interpreting information such as vital signs.

21. A well-written letter of resignation is critical to: a. First announce your intent to resign. b. Formally signal discontent in your current position. c. Maintain a positive relationship with your former organization and colleagues. d. Fulfill your legal obligations as a departing employee.

ANS: C A well-written resignation letter outlines your intent to leave the organization and appreciation of the organization but should follow an initial meeting with your manager to first discuss your intention. A well-written letter maintains a positive relationship with the organization.

Which category is unique to leadership but is not part of management? a. Initiating change b. Personal qualities c. Developing people d. Information management

ANS: C Developing people—coaching, mentoring, succession planning—is a category of solely leadership, not management as well. Initiating change and personal qualities are categories of both management and leadership. Information management is a category of management only.

24. Professional associations: a. Set regulatory requirements and establish entry requirements for nursing. b. Offer graduate programs for clinical and career advancement. c. Provide opportunities for career networking and support. d. Are open to all individuals who meet the criteria for membership.

ANS: C Professional associations are frequently, although not always, voluntary groups whose members provide leadership in issues and policies of interest to nurses. Professional associations also offer networks of nurses with similar interests.

21. High-quality decisions are most likely to be made in nursing situations when: a. Team leaders make the crucial decisions. b. Individuals are advised of the problems. c. Group size is neither too small nor too large. d. Members are passively involved.

ANS: C Research has shown that group size is important. Too small a group means a limited number of options generated. Too large a group can mean lack of structure or lack of meaningful discussion. REF: Page 105 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

12. After searching the literature, Tara, the unit manager develops a table that outlines the findings of studies on management of incontinence. She then examines the studies in terms of risk and whether the findings fit within her practice context and for her population of moderately to severely cognitively impaired patients. This is which phase of Stetler's research utilization model? a. Preparatory b. Validation c. Evaluation d. Application

ANS: C The third phase, comparative evaluation and decision making, involves making a decision about the applicability of the studies by synthesizing cumulative findings; evaluating the degree and nature of other criteria, such as risk, feasibility, and readiness of the finding; and actually making a recommendation about using the findings of the studies.

4. A nurse manager has decided that she must institute some personal time management steps to survive work and home life. Her first step should be to: a. Determine what takes up so much of her time and energy. b. Organize her personal and work spaces. c. Purchase a handheld personal digital assistant to help remind her of important meetings. d. Determine her personal and professional goals.

ANS: D Personal time management refers, in part, to "the knowing of self." Self-awareness is a critical leadership skill, and being self-aware and setting goals helps managers determine how their time is best spent.

Your institution has identified a recent rise in postsurgical infection rates. As part of your QI analysis, you are interested in determining how your infection rates compare with those of institutions of similar size and patient demographics. This is known as: a.Quality assurance. b.Sentinel data. c.Benchmarking. d.Statistical analysis.

C Benchmarking is a widespread search to identify the best performance against which to measure practices and processes.

A nurse is explaining the pediatric unit's quality improvement (QI) program to a newly employed nurse. Which of the following would the nurse include as the primary purpose of QI programs? a.Evaluation of staff members' performances b.Determination of the appropriateness of standards c.Improvement in patient outcomes d.Preparation for accreditation of the organization by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

C The primary purpose of QI is improvement of patient outcomes, which relates to prevention of error, quality patient care, and patient satisfaction.

Corrine, a student nurse, often hears that nurses are gatekeepers and wonders what that term means. As a nurse leader, you explain that this is a reference to the: a.Assessment and admission of patients into care. b.Orientation of patients to services once they are admitted. c.Function of controlling which patients see the physician and which do not. d.Coordination of care, services, advocacy, and access for patients within the healthcare system.

D As gatekeepers to the system, nurses advocate for and coordinate care, services, and access for patients across all providers, settings, and levels of care.

A new nurse leader wants to be the best leader she can. The nurse takes classes, finds and leadership mentor, seeks input from her unit, and employs other strategies for leadership development. What is another strategy for the leader to develop and improve leadership skills? a. Proactive learning b. Ignoring feedback c. Being in charge d. Authoritative position

*a. Proactive learning* Being an effective leader requires wanting to be proactive in their learning to develop effective leadership skills. Good leaders do not ignore feedback, they take authoritative positions when required, and do not come across as being in charge but rather as being a leader of a group.

A staff nurse is the person on the unit everyone seeks for input and asks questions. What type of leadership position is the staff nurse displaying? a. Position leadership b. Informal leadership c. Personal leadership d. Formal leadership

*b. Informal leadership* Informal leaders are individuals who influence others and are engaged with those who listen and follow. An informal leader may be assigned a formal leadership position and still demonstrate that rates the informal leadership.

A staff nurse wants to become a charge nurse. What is one of the most effective methods for the staff nurse to incorporate to effectively transition to charge nurse? a. Read a book on charge position. b. Integrate prior experience to new role. c. Do things the way always done. d. Change units to be a charge on different unit.

*b. Integrate prior experience to new role* The most effective way for transitioning to a new role is to integrate all prior knowledge and experience with the essential competencies of the new role.

9. The risk manager wants to evaluate the reasons for an increased number of falls on the rehab unit. The risk manager devises a fishbone diagram. A fishbone diagram is a useful tool to: a. Identify the root causes of problems. b. List possible solutions to problems. c. Help leaders select the best options. d. Evaluate the outcomes of decisions made.

ANS: A A fishbone diagram, also known as a cause-and-effect diagram, is useful for determining the reasons (causes) for an effect (falls). REF: Page 111 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

You are in the process of designing a patient education program that will provide education and monitoring for patients with hypertension. To support your planning, you draw out and present patient data from: a. A clinical database. b. Biomedical technologies. c. E-mail. d. Internet sources.

ANS: A Clinical databases are collections of elements organized and structured for the processing, organization, and presentation of data for interpretation as information, which, in this particular instance, includes outpatient data.

14. A good nursing decision maker is one who: a. Uses various models to guide the process based on the circumstances of the situation. b. Adopts one model and uses it to guide all decision making. c. Decides not to use any models because they are all useless. d. Develops a new model each time a decision has to be made.

ANS: A The decision model that a nurse uses depends on specific circumstances. Is the situation routine and predictable or complex and uncertain? Is the goal to make a decision that is "just good enough" (conservative) or one that is optimal? REF: Page 101 | Page 102 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

1. Sarah is concerned about your direction regarding management of incontinent, confused patients. She brings you evidence that she has found regarding incontinence interventions and asks you whether she and you could talk about the guidance that you have given after you have had an opportunity to read the articles. This is an example of (Select all that apply.) a. leadership. b. followership. c. management. d. insubordination.

ANS: A, B This is an example of followership. Followers can promote team effectiveness, for instance, by maintaining collaborative work relationships, offering constructive criticism, and sharing leadership and management responsibilities. In addition, Sarah demonstrated leadership in seeking and presenting evidence that may influence the decision-making of her nurse leader and manager.

9. To develop a curriculum vitae, or résumé, a nurse must develop a personal data file. The goal of a personal data file is to: a. Create an opportunity to be interviewed. b. Have a listing of facts about your professional life. c. Have a tool in place for marketing yourself. d. Create a document that lists your skills.

ANS: B A personal data file enables storage and recall of career-specific details that can be retrieved and shaped for a specific purpose using cut and paste approaches rather than creating whole new documents.

7. A clinic nurse has observed another nurse deviating from agency policy in performing wound care. The best approach for the clinic nurse to take is to: a. Stay out of it. b. Inform the nursing supervisor. c. Fill out a notification form (incident report). d. Assess the risk to the client and the agency before proceeding.

ANS: D If the situation is subjective, non-routine, and unstructured or if outcomes are unknown or unpredictable, the nurse leader and manager may need to take a descriptive or behavioral approach. More information (such as degree of risk to the client and to the agency) needs to be gathered to address this situation effectively. REF: Page 103 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

1. The chief nursing officer at a local hospital seeking Magnet™ status creates staff development classes concerning translation of research into practice (TRIP). What best describes TRIP? a. Conducting an integrative review of the literature b. Searching the literature for a systematic review c. Providing the results of research studies to practitioners d. Applying strategies that aid in adoption of research in practice

ANS: D The science of how research is adopted is known as translation science, the science of translating research into practice (TRIP). The primary aim of research utilization is to activate the change process to move research findings into practice to improve patient outcomes.

The outcome statement "Patients will experience a ten percent reduction in urinary tract infections as a result of enhanced staff training related to catheterization and prompted voiding" is: a.Physician-sensitive and nonmeasurable. b.Measurable and nursing-sensitive. c.Precise, measurable, and physician-sensitive. d.Patient care-centered and nonmeasurable.

B Nursing-sensitive outcomes refer to outcomes that are affected by nursing activity and are precise, measurable, and patient-centered.

A new nurse works on a busy medical-surgical unit. While the charge nurse keeps the unit organized and running smoothly, the nurse notices that another experienced nurse is the nurse to whom most of the other nurses ask questions and seek information. How does the new nurse view this experienced nurse? A) A formal leader B) A positional leader C) An official leader D) An informal leader

*D) An informal leader* Formal leaders and official leaders and positional leaders hold positions of leadership or titles. In this scenario, the charge nurse is the formal leader. An informal leader is one who does not hold title but rather leads from an informal way by actions and behaviors.

The chief nursing officer (CNO) is appointed for the local hospital in a rural area. The nursing committee agreed with the appointment of the new CNO offered the position. What is this type of leadership position considered? a. Formal leadership b. Informal leadership c. Director leadership d. Personal leadership

*a. Formal leadership* This position is an appointed/hired position and is one of formal leadership based on the hiring from the outside and the job description. Formal leadership positions often have a title and are assigned leadership by the role of the position.

In developing leadership skills, one should focus on authentic leadership. The theory of authentic leadership focuses on various factors. What is the top priority in development of authentic leadership? a. Honest relationships b. Organizational task c. Accomplishment of goals d. Exploring others

*a. Honest relationships* The top priority in development of authentic leadership is development of honest relationships. Valuing what each person brings to the group trusting the group, exploring other ideas, accomplishing goals, and being ineffective organizer are important. However, development and honest relationships is the foundation of authentic leadership.

T he core of nursing leadership incorporates integration of unique qualities to include us as individuals. Which is not considered part of leadership integration? a. Person b. Leader c. Nurse d. Position

*d. Position* Position is not considered part of leadership integration. The provided model discusses the use of nurse, person, leader, and integration of the unique personal aspect to form the integration of leadership.

An example of an effective patient outcome statement is: a.Eighty percent of all patients admitted to the Emergency Department will be seen by a nurse practitioner within 3 hours of presentation in the Emergency Department. b.Patients with cardiac diagnoses will be referred to cardiac rehabilitation programs. c.The hospital will reduce costs by 3% through the annual budget process. d.Quality is a desired element in patient transactions.

A Patient outcomes must be measurable, specific, and patient-centered.

Which of the following activities would represent a customer-friendly approach in a healthcare setting? (Select all that apply.) a.Using a local anesthetic before inserting a needle into a child's arm b.Repeating patient history information to the admitting clerk, the admitting nurse, and the ultrasound technician c.Ensuring that birthing preferences are on file and available when a laboring mother comes in d.Providing support to families when a family member is brought into trauma

A, C, D A service orientation means delivering services in a manner that is least disruptive. When possible, services should come to the patient and should be as easy, comfortable, pleasant, and effective as possible. Meeting the emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patient is important.

21. "Stress-buffering" behaviors can be elicited to reduce stress. All of the following behavioral coping responses can be used by nurse managers to reduce and manage stress except: a. Distancing oneself from work. b. Using cognitive reframing to change irrational thoughts. c. Journaling and keeping an informal diary of daily events and activities. d. Exercising regularly.

ANS: A Achieving balance between work and leisure is a useful strategy for stress reduction. Distancing, however, can be a sign of depersonalization that includes negative attitudes as well and is a characteristic of burnout.

12. In a job interview for a nursing position, Marley can be assured that which of the following will occur? a. Both eustress and distress b. Only eustress c. Only distress d. Neither eustress nor distress

ANS: A Eustress is defined as stress that is pleasant in nature, and distress is defined as stress of an unpleasant nature. One can assume that every interview has both of these stresses.

18. A functional résumé focuses on: a. Experience and skills gained in positions. b. Positions held and specific roles in the positions. c. Academic qualifications and achievements. d. Relating skills and experience to qualifications in a specific position.

ANS: A Functional résumés highlight skills and experience gained rather the details of specific positions. As with résumés in general, skills and experiences are customized to create an image of an individual in a particular position.

13. The maintenance department wishes to have the nursing lounge renovated, so the lounge will be more "user-friendly." The department asks the nursing staff to make a wish list of everything that they would like to see in the new lounge. This process is an example of which part of the decision-making process? a. Assessment/Data collection b. Planning c. Data interpretation d. Generating hypotheses

ANS: A In this particular model (a model similar to the nursing model), data collection is the first step toward identifying important alternatives or determining if there is a problem or problems. REF: Page 112 | Page 113 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

2. The nurse manager of a unit has lost many staff members, and the unit is now staffed with a large number of agency and traveling nurses. She knows that the agency and traveling nurses are all contracted to stay on the unit for the next 3 months. One way to improve morale and decrease stress in the unit would be to: a. Plan a social event and include the agency and traveling nurse staff members. b. Plan unit-based social events for your remaining permanent staff members. c. Request hospital-based "floating" nurses to substitute for the temporary staff. d. Implement team nursing.

ANS: A Social support, in the form of positive work relationships, can be an important way to buffer the effects of a stressful work environment. Including all staff in the social event enables those who are not normally part of the team to experience this support and provides an opportunity for the staff as a whole to develop supportive relationships.

3. The nurse executive at the local hospital began working there 20 years ago and has risen to the highest designation in nursing. This career style is known as: a. Linear. b. Spiral. c. Steady state. d. Entrepreneurial/transient.

ANS: A The linear career style, as described by Friss (1989), refers to vertical advancement in an organization and is of interest to those with a desire to gain organizational knowledge and different perspectives on nursing.

1. You overhear a newly graduated RN telling one of your colleagues that leadership and management belong to the unit manager and not to her. Because you are a nursing colleague, your response demonstrates understanding that the perception of the new graduate a. is accurately reflected in the new graduate's statement. b. would benefit from further understanding of her role as a professional in relation to decision-making. c. has been influenced by nurse leaders and managers who leave for other positions. d. is related to the general perception that nurse leaders and managers are not satisfied in their jobs.

ANS: B Decision-making and the corresponding actions taken are core work performed in engagement with co-workers. This core work requires that nurses be leaders, managers, and followers at the point-of-care, unit, institutional, and even societal levels.

14. An example of role conflict occurs when: a. The director of ICU and the manager of the surgical unit wish to hire the same new employee. b. Two part-time staff members are hired to work in a unit, but the job expectations for them are not clear, and the head nurse expresses disappointment in their performance. c. The nurse manager for ICU believes he does not receive as many resources as the nurse manager for nephrology. d. Line managers believe that support staff use their technical knowledge to intrude on their authority.

ANS: B Failure to comply with expectations can lead to role conflict. Role conflict and role ambiguity are major sources of conflict for nurses.

3. As a nurse manager, the one activity you should not overlook is: a. Posting the yearly rotation schedule. b. Reviewing vacation requests. c. Scheduling staffing for holidays 6 months in advance. d. Anticipating staff sick days.

ANS: B Free time and vacation time are needed for individuals to recharge. If time for work is more than 60% of wake time, or when self-time is less than 10% of wake time, stress levels increase.

The nurse manager, as the leader of the unit's "customer (client) first" initiative, has asked the staff nurses to develop and administer a survey to every client before discharge. In asking the staff nurses to accomplish this task, the nurse manager is demonstrating: a. Accountability. b. Shared leadership. c. A common purpose. d. Independence in the nursing manager's role.

ANS: B Healthy work environments are facilitated by involving staff and others in decision making; gaining access to information is one characteristic of shared decision making. Shared decision making enables staff to feel valued in policy development and in directing and leading. REF: Page 58 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

A manager who is concerned with ensuring that patients on her surgical unit have the necessary information to make informed choices is: a. Practicing legal nursing care. b. Demonstrating respect for patient rights. c. Avoiding risks. d. Likely experiencing staff issues with informed consent.

ANS: B In demonstrating respect for and advocacy for informed consent, the nurse manager is reflecting a professional philosophy. Professional nurses are ethically and legally accountable to the standards of practice and the accompanying nursing actions delegated to others. Conveying high standards, holding others accountable, and shaping the future of nursing are inherent behaviors in the role of a manager. REF: Page 65 | Page 66 TOP: AONE competency: Professionalism

4. In nursing theory, one theorist developed the idea of new nurses progressing to experienced nurses and playing an important role in patient care in all stages. The new nurses follow their role and progress through stages to advanced nurse. Who was this theorist? A) Dorothea Orem B) Patricia Benner C) Ida Jean Orlando D) Robert E. Kelley

ANS: B Patricia Benner developed the theory of novice to expert. When using the theory in application to leadership and followership, the nurse progressing following the role to the advanced level.

To engage your staff in awareness of their current practice and how it is affirmed or not by evidence, you plan a short series of learning presentations on evidence and use of heparin and saline to maintain IV patency. You meet with the educator to plan out the goals for each session with the overall purpose of increasing knowledge and awareness of staff in readiness to consider questions related to the IV practice. Staff nurses who gain information on current IV therapy practices are engaging in which phase of Rogers' decision-making process? a. Persuasion b. Knowledge c. Confirmation d. Decision

ANS: B Rogers' innovation-decision process involves five stages for change in individuals, the first of which is knowledge.

Chart audits have revealed significant omissions of data that could have legal and funding guidelines. As the unit manager, you meet with the staff to discuss audit findings and to find approaches that will address the gaps in charting and achieve desired goals. This is an example of a. leadership. b. management. c. decision-making. d. vision.

ANS: B The process of guiding other people to meet established goals, outcomes, and procedures is management. This can require collaborative decision-making to determine how best to reach predetermined goals and follow established practices.

9. To help staff nurses adjust to using research in practice, what strategy would the nurse manager use? a. Attendance at a regional research conference b. Formal classes in electronic search techniques c. Establishing a journal club d. Issuing reports on the adverse consequences of outdated practices

ANS: C Journal clubs provide opportunities for engagement in reading research and considering how it might be applied to clinical practice problems, which is considered very effective in behavioral change.

1. As a new nurse manager, you are aware of leadership, management, and followership principles. The concept of followership is rather new as relating to leadership. What is the role of the follower in followership? A) Leading the group in task B) Submission position in organization C) Person who may influence team D) Negative meaning for worker

ANS: C The principle of followership allows for the follower to have a role and say, and ability to provide influence to the team. Based on new principles of leading and following, the leader is a follower and needs those to further goals for the team at all levels.

6. The nurse manager is implementing a shared governance model to help with communication and decision making. Although staff members like the concept, change is difficult. Staff nurses feel: a. More empowered. b. More communicative. c. Less stressed. d. More powerless and devalued.

ANS: D Change can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless, especially if complexity compression or rapid, intense changes have been involved.

The turnover rate for RNs in the ICU is high. You discuss this situation with existing staff and you find out that because of the rapid turnover, new staff are frequently required to assume full responsibilities soon into the position and before training is completed. In considering approaches that will reduce turnover rates, the staff and you decide to implement: a. An employee recognition program. b. Coaching for new staff. c. A new performance appraisal system. d. A committed orientation and training program.

ANS: D Retention of new nursing personnel begins on the day of their hire. This includes an effective, appropriate orientation and training program, which has a measurable impact on reducing turnover.

The nursing manager of a surgical unit has been asked by administration to evaluate client outcomes post cardiac catheterization. Using data about client outcomes post cardiac catheterization for the past 6 months so as to modify practice is an example of: a. Information. b. Cost-effective care. c. Meeting standards. d. Evidence-based practice.

ANS: D Technology enables evidence-based practice by collecting good clinical knowledge, translating nursing knowledge into reference materials that can be accessed at the point-of-care, and, potentially, assisting nurses to take action based on best evidence for practice (Lang, 2008; Lang et al., 2006; Staggers & Brennan, 2007).

7. The manager of a nursing unit is having difficulty working with a new graduate nurse. The new graduate nurse is excited and full of ideas she wants to try keeps pushing the manager to make changes. The manager decides to provide the new nurse with an opportunity to present an idea to the staff at the next meeting. What is the manager providing the new nurse? A) Leadership opportunity B) Working to improve patient care C) Input to the unit D) All of the above

ANS: D The manager is offering the new nurse an opportunity for unit leadership. By presenting ideas to the staff, the nurse will be working to develop input into the unit, and the idea if patient related, will possibility influence and improve patient care.

23. Jane, an experienced head nurse, is given the task of completing the summer vacation schedule for the pediatric unit. She is fully aware of the hospital's restrictions on time off and the number of staff on vacation at any given time, as well as its issues regarding seniority. She weighs the options of allowing staff choice, such as it takes more time but gives employees options. However, if choice is allowed, this could cause arguments. Which of the following is the best alternative? a. Ask for requests for vacation time in advance, and post the times. b. Post the completed vacation schedule. c. Post a tentative schedule, and request feedback. d. Post a blank schedule, and ask staff members to fill in their times by a given date.

ANS: D This is based on a decision-making model that allows experience and knowledge to predict whether a decision will or will not work. The experience of the head nurse suggests that it is important to involve staff in decisions that affect them the most. REF: Page 101 | Page 102 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

What would be the primary emphasis in designing and implementing a quality, safe healthcare environment? a. Evidence-based practice b. Informatics c. Staffing d. The patient

ANS: D Focusing on the patient moves care from concern about who controls care to a focus on what care is provided to and with patients, which was an aim identified in the IOM report Crossing the Quality Chasm.

The nurse manager is concerned about the negative ratings her unit has received on patient satisfaction surveys. The first step in addressing this issue from the point of view of quality improvement is to: a.Assemble a team. b.Establish a benchmark. c.Identify a clinical activity for review. d.Establish outcomes.

C In theory, any and all aspects of clinical activity could be improved through the QI process. However, QI efforts should be concentrated on changes to patient care that will have the greatest effect.

At Hospital Ajax, there has been a 20% increase in instruments and sponges being left in patients during surgery and surgeries on the wrong limbs. These are known as: a.Sentinel events. b.Medically sensitive events. c.Nurse-sensitive events. d.Never events.

D The NQF and CMS define never events as errors in medical care that are clearly identifiable, preventable, and serious in their consequences for patients and that indicate a real problem in the safety and credibility of a healthcare facility. Examples of never events include surgery on the wrong body part, foreign body left in a patient after surgery, mismatched blood transfusion, major medication error, severe pressure ulcer acquired in the hospital, and preventable postoperative deaths.

The charge nurse of a unit is asking the staff what patients they had the day before to make assignments for the day. A new nurse complains about having the same patients every day. The charge nurse considers the new nurse request at an assigned to different patient for today. What type of leadership is the charge nurse displaying? a. Informal leadership b. Formal leadership c. Favoritism d. No leadership displayed

*b. Formal leadership* The charge nurse is using formal leadership to assigning patients to the nurses were today. By asking the staff she is gathering input she uses to make assignments. And is demonstrating good leadership skills. She has the authority based on the position in a formal leadership model to make the assignments for the day.

A nurse manager when in the formal leadership position attempts to translate the picture or vision of her facility across for the staff nurses. The manager is faced with a staff who is resistant to the vision of the facility. What is the theory the manger needs to incorporate to be effective? a. Model the Way b. Inspire a Shared Vision c. Challenge the Process d. The Four Agreements

*b. Inspire a Shared Vision* In this instance, the nurse manager needs to utilize the theory of Inspire a Share Vision. This is an expectation of leaders to be able to contribute by translating the big picture vision to the staff.

The nurse manager is working with a group of new nurses. The new nurses ask questions about leadership and the role of a manager in leading nursing. The manager shares she has incorporated her core values and beliefs into her role and responsibilities as a nurse manager. What type of leadership has she described? a. Positional leadership b. Personal leadership c. Formal leadership d. Information leadership

*b. Personal leadership* The manager has described the use of personal leadership. This incorporates core values and beliefs of the person to improve their role and responsibilities.

A staff nurse is taking leadership classes in an advanced degree program as the nurse wants to become a manager. The instructor requires the students to create a journal and make notes of their feelings when they experience conflicts at work over the next few weeks. The assignment calls for the use of reflection. What is the purpose of this assignment? a. Log of conflicts which occur b. Reflection for self-awareness in conflict situations c. Assess the students conflict management skills d. Analysis of student lead conflicts

*b. Reflection for self-awareness in conflict situations* The use of journaling, when done with self-reflection and use of value to evaluate situations and reflect, assist in self-awareness of situations. In this instance, the instructor is wanting the students to use self-awareness through evaluation of conflict occurrences.

The manager of a nursing unit is having difficulty working with a new graduate nurse. The new graduate nurse is excited and full of ideas she wants to try. The manager decides to journal her feelings regarding the new nurse and her feelings. What is the nurse manager practicing in this situation? a. Leadership b. Reflection c. Knowledge d. Action

*b. Reflection* Using reflection to evaluate her own feelings, the nurse manager is practicing self-awareness to go beyond the surface and evaluate self for determination of personal feelings. This is a higher level of thinking and assist in exploring one's individual thoughts and experiences.

The core of leadership is awareness. The text by Don Miguel, The Four Agreements, presents a set of agreements to enhance personal growth and awareness. What is not one of the four agreements? a. Be impeccable with your word b. Take things personally c. Do not make assumptions d. Always do your best

*b. Take things personally* The four agreements include all with the exception of taking things personally. The second agreement is to not take things personally. When a person speaks or engages a leader, it is often from their reality and not reflective of your reality. Listen to their information, and assess, then formulate decisions.

Excellent leaders need to have or develop the skills of empathy and expressiveness when dealing with others in the workplace. This is also known as understanding and managing own feelings and emotions as well as discerning the emotions of others. What is this an example of required by good leaders? a. Social awareness b. Self-awareness c. Emotional intelligence d. Intellectual ability

*c. Emotional intelligence* Emotional intelligence is defined as understanding and managing our emotions with the added awareness of discerning the emotions of others. Many organizations will assess leaders for their level of emotional intelligence to assist the individuals understanding their ability to relate to others.

As a nurse manager, you are a leader in health care and on the unit you manage. Looking at the larger picture of health care and patient environment on the unit, what is your primary role when evaluating the care provided on your nursing unit? a. Focus on cost outcomes. b. Assess staff for contentment on unit. c. Ensure quality patient care on unit. d. Provide education to the staff of the unit.

*c. Ensure quality patient care on unit* Your primary role is a nurse manager is to ensure quality patient care is rendered. You must also focus on cost outcomes, assess your staff frequently, and provide education to the staff. However, as a leader in evaluating the larger picture of health care, quality care is a priority.

Which of the following is an example of a formal leadership position on a nursing unit? a. Staff nurse b. Unit secretary c. Unit manager d. Nursing assistant

*c. Unit manager* The unit manager of a nursing unit and is a formal leadership position. A formal leadership position is defined as a role that exerts influence over others and they are in charge.

A new graduate nurse has accepted a position in an intensive care unit. The nurse is assigned a preceptor with several years of experience. The new nurse also notices the other staff seek this nurse out for answers to questions and as a resource to the unit. What does the new nurse consider the role of the mentor nurse? a. A formal leader b. A positional leader c. An official leader d. An informal leader

*d. An informal leader* Formal leaders, positional leaders, and official leaders hold positions of leadership or titles. In this scenario, the nurse is the formal leader of the unit. The nurse is noted to be an informal leader is one who does not hold an actual leadership title, but leads from an informal position based on experience and behavior.

The nurse manager understands that the three Ps associated with client education are philosophy, priority, and performance. Effective client education programs start with a shared philosophy that such programs are worth the investment. Evidence of a philosophic commitment to client teaching is best represented by: a.Investing time and energy in teaching clients. b.Developing teaching skills among the nursing staff. c.Assuming that clients lack the knowledge they need. d.Having a teaching checklist on clients' charts.

A A philosophy that patient education is an investment with a significant positive return is one of the three Ps of a successful consumer education focus. Money invested in teaching is money well spent.

Through the QI process, the need to transform and change the admissions process across administrative and patient care units is identified. In this particular situation, what method of data organization will be most effective? a.Flowchart b.Histogram c.Narrative d.Line graphs

A Flowcharts are useful in identifying and visualizing sequential steps, such as the admissions process.

Hospital ABCD is a Magnet™ hospital. This designation has been applied to Hospital ABCD because it: a.Facilitates active staff participation in decision making related to quality nursing care. b.Has implemented a graduate nurse orientation program. c.Espouses commitment to excellence in patient care. d.Is establishing career ladders for nurses.

A Magnet™ hospitals are particularly successful in implementing excellence in patient care through use of standards, evidence, and participatory decision making in quality improvement. Organizations that cannot pursue Magnet™ status can implement strategies such as career ladders.

In designing a program for young adults regarding safe sexual practices, which of the following might reach the greatest number in your target group? a.Web-based applications b.Print-based media such as newspapers c.Television advertisements d.Brochures in kiosks in malls

A Mobile technology is changing the digital divide, with young adults, minorities, those with no college experience, and those with lower household incomes being more likely to indicate that phones are their main source of Internet access (Zickuhr & Smith).

Based on data from the patient satisfaction survey, the nurse manager decides that a change should be made in communication with family members. What would be important for a nurse manager to consider when instituting a change to improve customer service? a.Assess the perceptions of the nursing staff regarding the particular service problem. b.Include community representatives on a planning committee to address the change. c.Involve physicians, other healthcare professionals, and ancillary staff. d.Review all patient complaints with the nursing staff.

A Nurses are the healthcare providers who spend the most time with the consumer and are in an opportune position to understand the issues, structures, and processes that affect patients. The nurse acts as the primary person to be alert to circumstances that may prevent a successful outcome for the patient and to intervene on the patient's behalf. As a nurse manager, it is important to support staff in their use of power to be in control and to make decisions at the consumer-staff level of interaction.

As a nurse manager, you see an opportunity for patients to be well serviced through the medical home concept. You recognize that the concept of medical homes: a.Currently does not include nurses in its vision of multifaceted primary care. b.Includes nurses as part of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team. c.Restricts nurses to services related to direct care and procedures. d.Cannot encompass nurses within this framework.

A The concept of medical homes encompasses the idea of multifaceted medical homes that provide a usual source of health care. Current discussions have focused on physician-directed care even though nurses in advanced practice are well suited to lead teams in this model.

The chief nursing officer is pleased with the nurse manager's strategy of improving patient satisfaction in the pediatric intensive care unit. She decides to implement these changes throughout the hospital. What would be important to consider in implementing a new program focused on improving relationships with consumers? a.Recognition of the nursing staff for excellence in promoting consumer relationships b.Holding the staff accountable for resolving patient complaints c.Selecting a staff nurse leader to implement the program d.Identifying key staff members who have already demonstrated excellence in consumer relationships

A The nurse leader should allow professionals more influence over their practice;give staff opportunities to learn new and varied skills; give recognition and reward for success and support and consolation for lack of success; and foster motivation and belief in the importance of each individual and the value of his or her contribution.

When assessing the appropriateness of adopting WL PDAs for a nursing unit, you need to consider the advantages, which include: a. Lower cost relative to PCs(old) /mobility of the carts (new) b. Small display screen. c. Font size. d. Speed of operation.

ANS: A (old) PDAs offer a lower-cost method of documentation and communication than PCs, as well as easy portability. Disadvantages of PDAs include small screen size, suboptimal readability, and slowness in situations when speed is most needed. (new)Installing computers on mobile carts, also known as computers on wheels or COWs, may increase work efficiency and save time. However, if the cart is cumbersome to move around or if concern about infection risk is associated with moving the cart from one room to another, some organizations favor keeping one cart stationed in each patient care room or installing hardwired bedside computers.

17. The primary difference between a résumé and a CV is that a résumé: a. Reflects your skills, knowledge, and background in relation to a specific position. b. Offers a detailed listing of positions held and where positions were held. c. Includes a long and detailed explanation of academic and work experience. d. Provides contact information and focuses on your background, in general.

ANS: A A résumé is a short, customized overview of your professional life that relates to the qualifications of specific positions and how you are able to match your background to the qualifications that are desired. Provision of contact information is common to both the résumé and the CV. Résumés are more effective if details of particular positions that have been held are highlighted as compared with a detailed listing of positions held.

You have hired Chelsea as a new staff member on your unit. Although she is an experienced ICU nurse, this is her first educator role. A month into her new position, she confides that she feels really incompetent in her new position and bursts into tears. Your response is based on application of your understanding of: a. Role acquisition. b. Role conflict. c. Role complexity. d. Performance appraisal.

ANS: A Acquisition of a role is time dependent and involves application of life experiences to each role and interpretation of the role within one's own value system. As roles become more complex, an individual may take longer to assimilate the components of each role.

As a new manager, you are shocked to learn that your unit is still using heparin in heparin locks. You are aware of evidence related to this practice and want to change this practice as quickly as possible on your unit. You are in which stage of Lewin's stages of change? a. Unfreezing b. Experiencing the change c. Moving d. Refreezing

ANS: A Although you may be at a higher level of change in relation to your individual practice and knowledge of the use of change, in this situation, you are recognizing the need for change in relation to practice on the unit that you are managing. This phase is the initial phase in first-order change and will involve listening to staff to see if they perceive a similar problem.

As a nurse manager representative on a clinical information system selection team, you would be particularly concerned if the favored system: a. Involves screen displays that are best configured for non-clinical users. b. Requires an upgrade to servers in the facility. c. Requires staff orientation and training during implementation of the software. d. Minimizes the amount of data entry necessary.

ANS: A An ideal hospital information system should include as much instrumentation as possible to minimize data entry. As a clinical end user, you would expect orientation and training on how the screen display can be configured so as to suit the purposes and preferences of users in clinical areas.

The validity of comments and ratings related to performance is enhanced by: a. Maintenance of anecdotal notes over the entire evaluation period. b. Quantity of information gathered for appraisal purposes. c. Agreement of the employee with the ratings and comments. d. Whether or not other individuals have contributed to the observations.

ANS: A Anecdotal notes compiled consistently over the entire rating period are a much more equitable method of providing an accurate summary of the employee's performance

As a manager, you are interested in developing behavioral questions for an interview. Knowing that there is team conflict at times on your unit, which of the following questions would satisfy your interest in behavioral questions? a. "Tell me about a time you were involved in a conflict related to a project. What was your role in the conflict? In the resolution of the conflict?" b. "If you were to employ one strategy for managing conflict, what would it be?" c. "What is your preferred style of conflict resolution?" d. "How effective are you in working in a group? In dealing with conflict?"

ANS: A Behavioral questions seek demonstrated examples of behavior from the candidate's past experiences; behavioral-based interviewing can be a strong predictor of a future employee.

The nurse manager frequently interacts with staff and other hospice facility employees. Communication is purposeful because the manager assesses current issues, such as specific satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the newly implemented computerized documentation system. Informally, the manager gathers available staff members to address similar learning needs. Many times, staff members are found coaching other staff about improving use of the new system. According to Senge (1990), the activities demonstrated in this example are: a. Dialogue, team learning. b. Resilience, personal mastery. c. Shared vision, systems thinking. d. Mental models, teachable moments.

ANS: A Building shared vision occurs when leaders involve all members in moving personal visions of the future into a consolidated vision common to members and leaders.

A recent nursing graduate in a busy emergency department triages a patient who has sustained a large, deep puncture wound in his foot while working at a construction site. He is bleeding and is in pain. The nurse enters the triage data that she has obtained from the patient into a computerized, standard emergency patient classification system. After she enters the assessment data, she notices an alert on the computer screen that prompts her to ask the patient about the status of his tetanus immunization. What system of technology is involved in generating the alert? a. Clinical decision support b. WL technology c. Computerized provider order d. Electronic health record

ANS: A Clinical decision support (CDS) is a clinical computer system, computer application, or process that helps health professionals make clinical decisions to enhance patient care. The clinical knowledge embedded in computer applications or work processes can range from simple facts and relationships to best practices for managing patients with specific disease states, new medical knowledge from clinical research, and other types of information.

A survey of staff satisfaction is conducted. The survey indicates that staff members are satisfied, are loyal to the organization, and feel that they have reasonable control in their individual responsibilities. The findings best exemplify: a. Clarity in roles and valuing of contributions. b. Satisfaction but not empowerment. c. Effective coaching of new staff. d. Role attachment.

ANS: A Commitment, a sense of control, and satisfaction are linked to clear role expectations and a feeling that contributions are valued.

7. The nurse manager of an ICU wants to implement the revised policy and procedure on central line catheter care. What would be the most effective method of getting the staff nurses to incorporate a new evidence-based practice into their care? a. Conducting an interactive educational workshop b. Distributing educational materials on clinical units c. Sharing the results of a chart audit with staff d. Providing staff with a short DVD on the topic

ANS: A Dobbins et al. suggest that effective strategies for promoting behavioral change in health professionals include active involvement strategies such as face-to-face information sessions in small groups and one-to-one interactions. Other approaches have mixed or few results.

23. Once evidence related to the use of prompted voiding in patients with cognitive impairment has been appraised and integrated with practice, it is important to: a. Consider whether patients' families see this as necessary for the well-being of family members. b. Search large databases such as CINAHL to amass further evidence. c. Clarify the clinical practice question. d. Solicit input regarding integration with practice.

ANS: A EBP is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and the patients' unique values and circumstances. In this situation, the family's values and preferences would be considered. Search of databases, clarification of the question, and gaining staff input would occur in the process.

A charge nurse on a busy 40-bed medical/surgical unit is approached by a patient's son, who begins to complain loudly about the quality of care his mother is receiving. His behaviour is so disruptive that it is overheard by staff, physicians, and other visitors. The family member rejects any attempt to intervene therapeutically to resolve the issue. He leaves the unit abruptly, and the nurse is left feeling frustrated. Which behaviour by the charge nurse best illustrates refined leadership skills in an emotionally intelligent practitioner? a. Reflection to obtain insight into how the situation could be handled differently in the future b. Trying to catch up with the angry family member to resolve the concern c. Discussing the concern with the patient after the family member has left d. Notifying nursing administration of the situation

ANS: A Emotional intelligence is closely aligned with individuals' capacity to know themselves and others. Reflecting to obtain insight and being able to "step" outside the situation to envision the context of what is happening is an example of the actions of an emotionally intelligent practitioner.

2. The chief nursing officer at a local hospital seeking Magnet™ status creates staff development classes about incorporating evidence-based practice in nursing. What best describes evidence-based practice? a. Applying best research evidence to care of patients b. Using research-based information to develop practice guidelines c. Conducting a randomized control trial to determine effectiveness of handwashing techniques d. Developing standards for practice

ANS: A Evidence-based medicine is derived from evidence-based medicine and involves integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's unique values and circumstances in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It is focused on searching for, appraising, and synthesizing the best evidence to address a particular clinical practice problem.

2. The nurse manager of a rehab unit wants to purchase a new anti-embolic stocking. To make a high-quality decision, the nurse manager would: a. Involve the rehab staff in the decision. b. Involve the sales representative. c. Make the decision alone. d. Involve administration in the decision.

ANS: A In a shared decision model, the decisions are made through an interactive, deliberate process and the staff may express and discuss options and preferences. The shared decision model has been shown to increase work performance and productivity, decrease employee turnover, and enhance employee satisfaction. REF: Page 103 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

The unit is shifting from primary nursing to a team model in an effort to contain costs. Staff members are angry and ask for a meeting to discuss the change. After hearing their concerns related to reduction in professional autonomy and care quality, you a. acknowledge the loss. b. explain the reasons for change, emphasizing the need to reduce costs. c. repeat the information several times, giving detailed budget overviews. d. adjourn the meeting and provide explanation through e-mail.

ANS: A In providing an explanation for the change, it is important to acknowledge the loss and to provide enough detail to inform but not to paralyze, while you keep in mind the background of the listeners. In this situation, reasons for the change can still be addressed and should be explained in the context of how values are related to quality.

8. A staff nurse is taking leadership classes in an advanced degree program with a goal to become a nurse manager. The nurse is studying the leader-follower relationship. What has the nurse discovered as accurate part of the leader-follower relationship? A) Leaders are also followers. B) Followers need to linear structures. C) Followers are submissive in nature. D) Leaders should dictate to the group.

ANS: A In the leader-follower relationship, it is important to be aware the leaders are also followers. In reality, a core part of leadership is being an effective follower as well. There is no linear structure any longer and followers have as much input in decision making as is needed based on the topic. The older days of dictatorship as leadership are antiquated and no longer valid in true leader-follower relationships.

To engage your staff in awareness of their current practice and how it is affirmed or not by evidence, you plan a short series of learning presentations on evidence and use of heparin and saline to maintain IV patency. You meet with the educator to plan out the goals for each session with the overall purpose of increasing knowledge and awareness of staff in readiness to consider questions related to the IV practice. This learning approach is an example of which change management approach? a. Linear b. First-order c. Facilitative d. Integrative

ANS: A In the second stage, the moving or changing stage of Lewin's first-order, planned change process, planned interventions and strategies are executed to support the implementation of the change. One commonly used method is educating staff about the need for the change.

Becky graduated five years ago and is keenly interested in pursuing leadership opportunities. She has been active in learning about leadership through workshops and Internet research and recently began a graduate degree program with a focus on nursing administration. She has excellent clinical skills and eagerly accepts responsibility for various projects on the unit. Her sarcastic and sometimes aggressive behavior tends to alienate other staff members on the unit. In coaching Becky, you: a. Suggest that she reflect on situations in which she has had a positive influence and consider how her interactions contributed to the situation. b. Suggest that she not consider leadership roles because her interaction skills are more suited to roles in which she has limited opportunities to work with others. c. Ask staff members on the unit with whom she works to provide her feedback about ways in which her behavior irritates or turns them away. d. Encourage her to continue her graduate courses, as information about strategies and technical aspects of the role will compensate for negative interactions.

ANS: A Leadership involves radiating positive energy and the ability to inspire and motivate others. Management can be taught through formal instruction, but leadership is attained through reflection on rich personal experience. REF: Page 36 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

The adage "leaders are born and not made" reflects which of the following ideas around leadership? a. Management can be taught; leadership depends on abilities. b. Mentorship is important in developing innate skills of leaders. c. Leadership is a natural skill that cannot be refined or developed. d. Succession planning and formal education related to leadership are ineffective.

ANS: A Leadership is an abilities role that is reflective of rich personal experience. It can be developed and refined through such strategies as coaching, mentorship, and reflection. Management can be taught and learned. REF: Page 36 | Page 37 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

The nurse manager is anticipating changes on the unit because of managed care. It is up to the manager to "sell" the staff on this care concept. A goal of managed care that the staff must understand is that managed care is: a. Grounded in business theory. b. Useful for long-term patients only. c. Designed to reduce unit resources and staff. d. Not concerned with the best interests of clients.

ANS: A Managed care combines delivery of needed care with business principles of efficiency and cost. Nurse managers who know business principles become conduits for ensuring safe, effective, affordable care. REF: Page 63 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

Nurses on Unit 17 complain that their manager frequently "checks up on them" and encourages little involvement in decision making and yet, during performance reviews, praises them for their outstanding performance. Nurses on Unit 18 indicate that their experience is different from that of nurses on Unit 17. The manager on Unit 18 encourages active involvement in decision making and provides authentic, growth-promoting feedback. The practices on Units 17 and 18 reflect. a. Differences in the managers' expectations of their role. b. Shaping of the workplace behavior of employees. c. Different approaches to cooperation and collaboration. d. Recognition of institutional priorities.

ANS: A Management theory addresses how managers address employees' concerns and needs and the interactions of managers with employees. Expectations of the managerial role affects expectations of self as the manager and of others. McGregor's (1960) Theory X and Theory Y made two basic opposing assumptions about employees and how the manager should interact with them. Theory X suggests that people do not like their work and that lower-order needs are more important. Theory Y adopts an optimistic view in which people are seen as capable of self-direction and autonomy. REF: Pages 52-53 | Page 57 | Page 58 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

22. Which of the following is a meta-analysis? a. Review of 35 studies on nurse work satisfaction to determine the significance of the aggregated research findings b. Review of multiple chart audits to determine which errors are being reduced through implementation of evidence-based guidelines c. RCT comparing the effectiveness of a local anesthetic in reducing the pain of venipuncture in young children d. Analysis of factors contributing to nurse burnout and dissatisfaction at emergency room sites

ANS: A Meta-analysis statistically combines the results of several similar studies to determine whether aggregate findings are significant.

20. Rama, a psychiatric nurse, is assigned to four patients. The patient that would be at greatest risk for psychological compromise is the patient who has experienced: a. The death of a spouse. b. The death of a distant friend. c. A recent job layoff. d. A divorce.

ANS: A Most studies that have been concerned with "life stressors" have found that the death of a spouse produces the greatest stress.

Leaders in nursing must advocate for information and knowledge systems that support nursing practice. This is best accomplished by: a. Participating in organizational information technology committees. b. Submitting written requests for needed information systems. c. Requesting budgetary funds needed for systems. d. Sending staff nurses to conferences that discuss cutting-edge technologies.

ANS: A Nurse leaders and direct care nurses must be members of the selection team, participate actively, and have a voice in the selection decision. The information system must make sense to the people who use it and fit effectively with the processes for providing patient care.

While interviewing for a nurse manager position, Ann is asked to give an example of a situation in which she demonstrated leadership. Which of the following examples exemplifies leadership? a. Through research and investigation of best practice and practice-based evidence, she proposed a change in the management of incontinence in elderly patients. b. She ensures that new policies related to parenteral infusions are implemented consistently within her team. c. When asked by her students about institutional policies, she readily and patiently interprets policies to facilitate quality care. d. She organizes the team and delegates responsibilities effectively in providing nursing care

ANS: A Nurse managers have the responsibility of day-to-day decisions for their units and interpret established policy, procedures, and mandates. They meet their goals by organizing, staffing, controlling, and solving problems. By contrast, leaders develop a vision and translate that direction into action. REF: Pages 53-56 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

During a discussion of concern about approaches used with aggressive patients in the Emergency Department, several staff members express concern for their safety. As a leader, the nurse manager should: a. Look directly at speakers and acknowledge their comments. b. Promise to implement each suggestion that is made. c. Implement the idea that receives the most discussion. d. Listen but implement the plan that she had in mind before the discussion began.

ANS: A One of the five rules for leaders is to listen to the constituents—in this instance, the staff members who have safety concerns. Active listening in the United States means establishing direct eye contact and asking probing questions. Listening does not obligate the leader to any one course of action. Action will be based on what is best for the group. REF: Page 44 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

Mr. Cruiser has been surfing the Web. He is looking for healthcare information on low back pain. He shows the clinic nurse a Webpage he thinks is great and tells her that he has been following the exercises recommended by the author. He wants to know what she thinks about the site. When the clinic nurse evaluates this site, she discovers that its author is a personal trainer. No credentials are listed. In several testimonials on the page, people (their pictures are included) say how wonderful they feel after having done these exercises. The exercises all have animated demos when you click on the pertinent highlighted text or icon. They seem easy to follow. The site was posted five years earlier and was last updated three years before. The clinic nurse advises Mr. Cruiser to: a. Avoid this site. b. Check with his primary healthcare provider. c. Continue with the exercises. d. Contact the author for additional exercise and feedback.

ANS: A Patients need coaching as to how to use and decipher information that is available through the Internet. In this situation, the provider on the site lacks credibility because no credentials are listed, and the information is not current.

Elizabeth, an RN with approximately 15 years of service on your unit, walks away from one of the learning sessions on IV care and you overhear her telling a colleague that she thought the session was a waste of time because "the unit has been using heparin for years and there has never been any adverse effects." You follow up with Elizabeth and discover that she is really quite angry about the information sessions because she feels that you are implying that "what she has been doing all these years means that she is incompetent and doesn't care about her patients." After speaking with Elizabeth a few days later you discover that she is now fine with the change but is concerned that other areas of the organization might resist the change because of perceptions related to patient safety and cost. She suggests that it is important to bring pharmacy on board as they have had previous concerns about the use of heparin. In relation to change theory, this is indicative of: a. Systems level thinking. b. Linear thinking. c. Interprofessional collaboration. d. First-order change.

ANS: A Senge's complexity theory, Bevan's Seven Change Factors, and general systems theory all highlight connectivity and the idea that changes are not isolated events.

To improve outcomes on the stroke recovery unit, the unit manager leads an evidence-based practice (EBP) project. The goal of this project is to: a. Enable detection of variations in clinical outcomes from well-researched standards that are supported by confirmatory evidence. b. Gain quick access to literature based on studies of patients and families who have experienced stroke. c. Develop a list of articles that could be accessed to address clinical issues and problems with stroke patients. d. Advance the development of staff who are able to conduct independent nursing research on stroke outcomes.

ANS: A Several "intelligent" clinical information systems are in place that collect good data and then translate nursing knowledge, such as well-researched standards, into reference materials at the point-of-care. In addition, computer applications assist nurses to take action and provide patient care based on the best evidence for practice.

A nurse executive is hired to restore a unit's productivity, which has decreased as the result of low staff morale. The nurse executive utilizes which of the following leadership principles? a. The leader declares the intent and goals to enhance productivity and assumes that the unit also wishes to increase productivity, which allows nurses to feel in control of the environment. b. If staff members increase productivity, then they are given opportunity to engage in learning events such as workshops and conferences. If the staff members are not satisfied, they will insist on a different leader, who will get them what they want. c. Leaders at the national level who are seeking relief for nurses in the workplace are seen as the solution to the nursing shortage. d. Workplace satisfaction depends on staffing ratios, adequate pay, and tuition reimbursement, and these are things the leader can control.

ANS: A Stephen M.R. Covey suggests that Smart Trust is a method for restoring trust in organizations. Smart Trust Actions include declaration of the leader's intent and assumption by the leader that others also have positive intentions. Building trust involves signaling goals and intended actions in advance. Actions such as promising external rewards such as additional learning opportunities, workload relief, and compensation are consistent with transactional leadership, which leads to low to stable commitment and limited satisfaction. REF: Page 38 | Page 42 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

5. A hospice nurse has been feeling very stressed at work because of both the physical strain and the emotional drain of working with clients with AIDS. She tries to walk 1 to 2 miles three times a week and to talk regularly with her husband about her work-related feelings. One reasonable stress management strategy would be to: a. Start taking yoga lessons. b. Make an appointment to meet with a psychiatrist. c. Start jogging 5 to 6 miles every day. d. Plan to go out for a drink with fellow nurses after work every day.

ANS: A Stress relief techniques include 30 minutes of exercise five times a week, as well as techniques such as yoga that relieve mental stress.

9. The nurse manager is working with a group of new nurses. The new nurses ask questions about leadership and the role of a manager in leading nursing. The manager shares the desire to have engaged staff nurses who participate in a team environment. What is the manager describing? A) Effective follower B) Effective leader C) Ineffective follower D) Ineffective leader

ANS: A The manger has described the role of an effective follower on the unit. The effective follower identifies and engages and participates as member of the team to work to achieve the team goals.

16. The implementation of saline flushes for capped angiocatheters is an example of: a. How multilevel and interprofessional application of a procedure can slow adoption of EBP. b. How competition among disciplines can lead to negative patient outcomes. c. The reluctance of hospital administrators to act on recommendations from EBP. d. How a safe, well-known practice outweighs the benefits of adopting a newer practice.

ANS: A The translation of research into practice operates at four levels: The individual healthcare professional, healthcare groups or teams, organizations, and the larger healthcare system or environment. The adoption of saline flushes illustrates the challenges of communicating EBP to other disciplines and organizations and of the involvement of different levels. This particular innovation needed endorsement by nurses, physicians, and pharmacists, as well as by administrators who needed evidence of lost savings to support adoption.

What facilitate the development of decision-making skills related to safe patient care for a nurse manager? a. Regular reflection on decisions b. A culture of perfectionism c. Recognition of who should be held responsible for individual errors d. A culture of trust between the staff and you

ANS: A Reflection on how well decisions were enacted enables knowledge of the complexity of situations and ramifications of the decisions made. Reflection enables elimination of strategies and methods that are inappropriate in meeting needs and aids in narrowing choices of best actions to take.

A nurse manager is implementing strategies to support the steps in the AHRQ document "Five Steps to Safer Health Care." What does the manager include in the implementation? a. Patients are actively encouraged to make decisions related to care. b. Rules and decisions are made through centralized processes. c. You monitor the performance of each staff member closely. d. Preference is given to increasing staff numbers rather than staff credentials.

ANS: A The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) outlines "Five Steps to Safer Health Care," which suggests that safe, patient-centered care is facilitated by assisting patients to become active partners in their own care.

You notice that Sally, a student on your unit, is giving information to an anxious young teen who seems very uncertain about preparation for an upper GI series. After Sally leaves the room, you ask her how she thought her conversation with the patient. What is the appropriate response for you to give Sally? a. Encourage her to ask the patient if he has questions or concerns about the procedure. b. Advise her to consider providing the patient with more information. c. Suggest that she leave some brochures on the procedure with the patient. d. Suggest that she also provide teaching to the adolescent's parents.

ANS: A The Five Steps to Safer Health Care for Patients includes the step of asking questions if there are doubts or concerns. The nurse can encourage patients to take a larger role in care by taking these steps and by providing patients with coaching in the steps.

A client requires an appendectomy. The surgeon explains the procedure and asks the client to sign the consent. The patient speaks very little English and looks worried. What is the appropriate action by the nurse? a. Suggest that an interpreter explain the procedure to the client and answer any questions. b. Ask the client if he has any questions. c. Draw a picture to show the incision. d. Not intervene.

ANS: A The Five Steps to Safer Patient Care identifies that encouraging patients to ask questions when there are doubts and concerns and ensuring understanding before surgery is performed are ways in which nurses can support patients in having greater influence in their own care. In this situation, asking an interpreter to help enables access to information for the patient and active assessment of his understanding.

To achieve Nurse-Sensitive Care Standards developed by the NQF, you advocate for which of the following in your health facility? a. Evidence-based practice to reduce the prevalence of pressure sores b. Implementation of informatics at the bedside c. Staff-manager conferences to review reporting of adverse medical events d. Patient councils to review food, recreation, and nurse-patient relations

ANS: A The National Quality Forum (NQF) outlines nursing-centered intervention measures related to prevalence of pressure sores, ventilator-associated pneumonias, volunteer turnover, nursing care hours per day, and skill mix of staff.

Sarah is a second-year nursing student. The clinical instructor overhears Sarah telling a patient that she "always" checks patients' bracelets before giving medication and she is not sure how the nurses on the unit "get away with" not making more errors than they do. The clinical instructor pulls Sarah aside and explores with her how her communication might affect the patient and what it reflects about her beliefs related to the team. What competency does this action outline? a. QSEN b. IHI c. DNV/NIAHO d. AHRQ

ANS: A The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project provides resources related to competencies that prelicensure and graduate students need to develop to serve as safe practitioners. These competencies include leading and managing, teamwork and collaboration.

During review of back injuries, it is determined that a large number of injuries are occurring in spite of mechanical lifts being used. Furthermore, it is determined that some lifts are outdated. In addressing this concern, the unit manager: a. meets individually with nurses who are observed to be using the lifts incorrectly to review the correct procedure. b. after consultation with the staff about the review, orders new lifts to replace older ones that are malfunctioning. c. blames the system for inadequate funding for resources. d. reviews the system of reporting incidents to ensure that appropriate reporting is occurring.

ANS: A The involvement of staff nurses in safety on the unit is imperative in improvement of quality and the provision of patient care. This is a relationship engagement by the manager to engage the nurses and building these relationships improves quality.

The manager of a surgical area envisions a future that requires the addition of registered nurse (RN) assistants or unlicensed persons to feed, bathe, and walk patients. The RNs on the staff have always practiced in a primary nursing-delivery system and are very resistant to this idea. The best initial strategy in this situation would include a. exploring the values of the RNs in relation to this change. b. leaving the RNs alone for a time so they can think about the change before they are approached again. c. dropping the idea and trying for the change in another year or so. d. hiring the assistants and allowing the RNs to see what good additions they are

ANS: A Leadership involves engaged decision-making around a vision that is based on evidence and tacit knowledge. Influencing others requires emotional intelligence in domains such as empathy and handling relationships.

As a nurse manager, you want to institute point-of-care devices on your unit. The rationale that you provide to support the point-of-care devices includes (select all that apply): a. Reduction in incidents of medication error. b. Immediate documentation of care. c. Comparison of patient data with previous data. d. Immediate access to staffing schedules.

ANS: A, B, C Point-of-care devices that allow documentation of assessment, care, and teaching at the bedside reduce the gap in time between care and documentation, thereby reducing error, increasing accuracy, and improving communication of care. Medication devices and patient databases enable accurate clinical decision making.

1. In a busy rehabilitation unit, the team manager decided that the best way to reward the staff was to give them a monetary bonus rather than time off. The staff was very concerned about the decision and went to the administration with a number of complaints. Critical thinking is a process that entails a number of steps. What steps did the manager omit? She should have (select all that apply): a. Identified what assumptions were underpinning the issues. b. Considered why it was important to make this change or the context for the change. c. Considered how this change might affect staff relationships. d. Attained a majority consensus of all staff.

ANS: A, B, C Taking a majority consensus is not a step in the critical thinking process. Points A, B, and C are "what," "why," and "how" questions that are part of effective critical thinking processes. REF: Page 101 | Page 102 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

1. A new graduate nurse is working in an outpatient surgical center with the circulating nurse. The nurse is reviewing the patient's chart and orders. The patient has been in pre-op receiving eye drops in her right eye as preparation for cataract removal surgery. The pre-operative orders indicate a marking has been made above the right eyebrow by the pre-operative nurse for surgery. The pre-operative nurse has been instilling the medicated eye drops to dilate the right eye for surgery. Upon further review of surgical consent, the consent was for surgery on the left eye and the history and physical by the surgeon indicate the patient is supposed to have surgery on her left eye. What action by the new nurse is considered appropriate followership? (Select all that apply.) A) Alert the pre-operative nurse to the chart discrepancy. B) Ask the charge nurse to double check the chart together. C) Notify the surgeon to the issue for further orders. D) Complete a hospital incident report. E) Do nothing; assume the nurse was correct.

ANS: A, B, C, D The appropriate role of the follower is to be a patient advocate, role model patient care, be an active part of the team and influence outcomes. The nurse needs to notify the pre-operative nurse, double check the chart, and notify the surgeon for further orders or possible cancelation of surgery. In addition, this is an error and requires reporting and completion of a hospital incident report.

26. A nurse manager introduces prompted voiding into nursing practice on a unit, which is supported by clinical guidelines based on evidence-based practice. The nurses on the unit resist implementation, indicating that the bathroom facilities are too far away for efficient implementation of the guidelines, and that resources are too few to accomplish the initial voiding observations. For the nurse manager in this situation, it is important to have further discussion with the staff regarding (select all that apply): a. Compatibility of this intervention with the values of staff on the unit. b. Advantages of prompted voiding over incontinence products and catheterizations. c. Usefulness of prompted voiding with the particular population of patients on the unit. d. Feasibility of the program with respect to unit design.

ANS: A, B, C, D Various theories related to the translation of evidence into practice point to strategies for success in introducing innovation and EBP on units, including determination of how well the innovation fits with the values of the staff; benefits of this practice or innovation over current practice; appropriateness of the innovation or practice for the target group for which the practice is intended; and the feasibility of the innovation from a variety of perspectives, including the physical design or layout of a unit.

A nurse manager is discussing with unit staff the repeated lack of staff compliance in documenting exercise activity for post-cardiac surgery clients. The unit's licensed practical/vocational nurses are responsible for ensuring that clients carry out the prescribed exercise regimen and that the activity is documented. Using Drucker's five basic functions of a manager, identify appropriate functions for the nurse manager to use when addressing this situation (select all that apply): a. Divide the necessary activities into manageable tasks, so clients adhere to the exercise regimen. b. Establish objectives and goals for each area and decide who is accountable for them. c. Allow clients to organize the activities. d. Engage in activities that motivate the team, and communicate effectively with the responsible staff members. e. Analyze, appraise, and interpret the performance of responsible staff, and communicate these findings to staff management. f. Allow clients to establish objectives and goals.

ANS: A, B, D, E Drucker's five basic functions include division of work into tasks, development and communication of goals and outcomes, motivation and communication, and analysis, approval, and interpretation of staff performance. REF: Page 54 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

What patients would be considered "at risk" consumers during a healthcare visit? (Select all that apply.) a. Clyde requires an anticoagulant. He tells the nurse about his medications. He does not include an herbal supplement. b. George is very shy and withdrawn. He asks the nurse to leave him alone. c. Sarah is a new parent who finds that nurses on the children's unit are very helpful. She is eager to accept all suggestions, including those that she does not yet understand. d. Claude is booked for bowel surgery. His doctor explains about the colostomy. Later, Claude tells his wife that he really doesn't know what the doctor meant by colostomy.

ANS: A, C, D Safer health care involves the patient as an active consumer who keeps and brings a list of all medications, including natural remedies and questions if there are doubts, concerns, or lack of understanding.

Sue, a nurse manager, discusses her concerns about the hospital's employee appraisal system with her work group, noting that it includes only one rating scale and that it means nothing unless the manager has effective relationship skills. Sue's concerns reflect which best practices associated with performance appraisal? a. Rating scales are too generalized to be considered valid or reliable. b. The effectiveness of appraisal is enhanced by a combination of methods and effective communication skills. c. BARS is considered superior to simple rating scales in terms of performance appraisal. d. Rating scales need to be designed by users to be well accepted.

ANS: B A combination of several methods is probably superior to any one method. The primary success of any performance appraisal lies in the skills and communication abilities of the manager.

8. A nurse is applying for a new position. This position is one in which she will serve as a liaison between a hospital and a school of nursing. The nurse has to update her résumé to include her teaching experience. The goal of creating a curriculum vitae is to: a. Have a listing of facts about your professional life. b. Provide potential employers with information about where you are in your career. c. Respond quickly whenever a position becomes available. d. Be certain you can recall facts for a prospective position

ANS: B A curriculum vitae provides an all-inclusive but not detailed listing of your professional life. This approach allows a prospective employer to find the most recent information quickly and gain a sense of where you are in your career.

A group of managers is meeting to discuss ideas related to the successful implementation of evidence-based practice on their units. Susan has been asked by the director of care to assume leadership of these discussion groups. After two such sessions, Susan expresses disappointment to her mentor that the group seems disinterested in her ideas and that they are listening to Ken, who has much less experience with leadership. In discussing this with Susan, the mentor understands that leadership: a. Is a designated role. b. Must be earned. c. Is more likely to be taken by someone who is more talkative. d. Rarely is taken over by someone with less experience.

ANS: B A person can have an impressive title, but title or designation does not make the person a leader. A leader must have the ability to inspire others to follow. REF: Page 35 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

Anecdotal notes: a. Should be completed only when there are performance concerns. b. Can be used to support and justify fairness in termination discussions. c. Are unnecessary if the evaluation instrument is thorough. d. Need to be completed at the end of a performance period.

ANS: B Anecdotal notes should be kept consistently throughout the evaluation period and should reflect both negative and positive behaviors if they are to provide an accurate assessment of performance. Anecdotal notes provide documentation to support rating scales and narrative evaluation summaries.

A nurse executive who considers herself a Baby Boomer will have the challenge of convincing the emerging workforce of the necessity of committee meetings. One of the primary reasons that the Baby Boom generation appears to have so many meetings in the work environment is that: a. They feel more comfortable in a group. b. They find that the journey to the solution is as important as the solution itself. c. They were deprived of collective action opportunities in the past and now feel that solutions are better when many people have input. d. Baby Boomers are aging and need the respite from work that meetings offer, so they can recuperate from the physical demands of the work environment.

ANS: B Baby Boomers mistrust authority and trust in collective action, based on successes with social movements in their formative years. REF: Page 43 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

15. You are excited by evidence supporting the use of PDAs at the bedside to improve documentation and patient outcomes. You have disseminated the information through discussions and e-mails and are now ready to begin the process of considering implementation on the unit. To develop positive attitudes toward the use and implementation of the technology, you would discuss your ideas with (Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory): a. Harvey, RN, a technology guru, who enthusiastically tries on all new software. b. Berta, RN, who thoughtfully considers evidence and regularly uses it to try new approaches in her practice. c. Carol, LPN, who is positive about new ideas but looks to her friends for their ideas about whether or not to try something new. d. Ben, a 10-year veteran of the unit, who wonders why technology should be used at all. He says that he will use it when there is no chance of security breaks.

ANS: B Berta is the one with whom you should now have informed conversations, because she is an early adopter who is respected for her thoughtful acquisition and critique of knowledge and application of knowledge to practice. Berta, an early adopter (Rogers' characteristics of innovation adopters), is more effective in this stage than Harvey, an innovator who may be seen as open to all new ideas regardless of merit.

22. The education consultant at St. Joseph's Hospital is giving a workshop on Cognitive Reframing. The consultant explains that Cognitive Reframing reduces stress by: a. Aiding individuals in identifying positive stressors. b. Helping people realize that negative thinking causes emotional distress. c. Eliminating negative stressors. d. Replacing positive self statements with negative irrational beliefs.

ANS: B Cognitive Reframing is a therapy that aids individuals in discovering that their irrational thoughts can be replaced with responses that are more rational. It enables individuals to gain a sense of control over the situation and can change "I'll never ..." to "I can ..." or "She always ..." to "Sometimes she ..." It is an approach that allows individuals to replace negative thoughts and statements with others that are more realistic and helpful.

4. As a nurse manager, you trial a new pain scale on your unit that is supported by numerous research studies. You compare the patient outcomes with the new scale against the existing scale. Feedback from staff suggests that the new scale is too difficult for patients who have limited language skills and who are already under duress to understand. The difficulty in implementing the new scale refers to testing: a. Efficacy. b. Effectiveness. c. Practice failure. d. Comparative error.

ANS: B Comparing the effectiveness of interventions can help to address the needs of clinicians in determining best practices for their patients. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is the "generation and synthesis of evidence that compares the benefits and harms of alternative methods to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor a clinical condition or to improve the delivery of care" (Institute of Medicine, 2009, p. 29). Efficacy is testing an intervention or treatment in a traditional randomized clinical trial under carefully controlled conditions and is used to determine whether an intervention or treatment works, whereas effectiveness is testing whether the intervention or treatment works in the real world of practice.

At a newly built outpatient surgical center, an integrated information system has been purchased. The chief nursing officer creates a series of staff development classes to orient the staff to this new system. One of the advantages of an integrated information system is that client-care data from all sites can be stored in and retrieved from a: a. Nursing information system. b. Central data repository. c. Nurse expert system. d. Handheld device.

ANS: B Computer information systems manage large volumes of data, examine data patterns and trends, solve problems, and answer questions. In other words, computers can help translate data into information from both within and among organizations. Data from all patient encounters with the healthcare system are stored in a central data repository, where they are accessible to authorized users. Patient information in a centralized database is organized, legible, and easily retrievable from a variety of sources and reflects a variety of data.

23. To enhance team leadership skills for your team leaders, you arrange opportunities for: a. Certification. b. Continuing education. c. Graduate courses. d. Volunteerism.

ANS: B Continuing education provides systematic learning opportunities that augment existing skills and knowledge for delivery of quality care and advancement of career goals. Graduate and certification courses provide advanced knowledge and skills.

A primary care clinic in a small urban center sees a high volume of cardiology patients. Patients who attend the clinic have smart cards that they use at hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments within that region of the state. A primary benefit of the smart card for these patients would be: a. Rapid and accurate treatment in emergency situations. b. Reduced wait times to see specialists. c. E-mail notification of test results. d. Readily available information regarding medications.

ANS: B Credit card-like devices called smart cards store a limited number of pages of data on a computer chip and serve as a bridge between the clinician terminal and the central repository of the electronic health record (EHR), making patient information available to the caregiver quickly and cheaply at the point-of-service. Smart cards provide information to healthcare providers regarding the patient's demographic and contact information, allergies, immunizations, lab results, and past patient care encounters and are presented at the point-of-service.

During a performance appraisal, Joanne, the nurse manager, indicates that Alysha has difficulty mentoring students on the unit. Alysha responds that this is not her responsibility. In responding to Alysha, Joanne needs to consider: a. Alysha's level of confidence. b. Whether mentoring is included in the position description. c. Whether mentoring is an essential component of the position description. d. Whether mentoring can be accurately observed and measured.

ANS: B Employees must have clear role expectations, clearly understand what is expected of their performance, and understand the ramifications of not meeting those expectations. Position descriptions provide written guidelines detailing the roles and responsibilities of a specific position within the organizational context.

Which of the following strategies might be effective in empowering staff? a. Communication book in which new information on policies and processes is communicated and mistakes are highlighted. b. Monthly staff meetings during which a portion of the agenda is devoted to sharing ideas and presentations on best practices for implementation on the unit. c. Once-yearly summative evaluations based on what the manager best likes about the individual. d. Focus on discussion of errors in care with direction as to how errors are to be prevented in the future.

ANS: B Empowerment is a process that acknowledges the values and judgments of others and trusts their decisions. It allows freedom for making decisions while retaining accountability and provides an environment that is safe in which to explore.

The nurse manager plays a unique role in institutional management in that the nurse manager: a. Encourages shared decision making. b. Models professional nursing behavior. c. Interprets healthcare trends and their impact on revenues. d. Coordinates care and allocates resources.

ANS: B Encouragement of shared decision making, coordination of resources, and interface between internal and external factors and a unit are all associated with effective management but could be performed by a manager from any discipline. The nurse manager's unique role is modeling professional behavior. REF: Page 65 TOP: AONE competency: Professionalism

Marie-Claire, the nursing unit manager, finds it difficult to work with Thomas, a new graduate. Thomas has many ideas, and his manner of presenting them irks Marie-Claire. After reflection and discussion with others, Marie-Claire recognizes that she also feels threatened by his behaviour. She comes to understand that Thomas is trying to establish his own role on the unit, is not trying to challenge her, and needs guidance, coaching, and affirmation. Marie-Claire is demonstrating a. a positive self-concept. b. deepening self-awareness. c. leadership. d. acquiescence.

ANS: B Individuals demonstrate emotional intelligence by raising their self-awareness and better regulating their emotions. Being empathetic and showing sensitivity to the experiences of others help nurse leaders develop their emotional intelligence.

A nurse manager was orienting new staff members to computerized charting. To understand computerized charting, staff members must understand informatics. The three core concepts in informatics are: A) hardware, software, and printers. B) data, information, and knowledge. C) decision making, data gathering, and reporting. D) wireless technology, voice recognition, and handheld devices.

ANS: B Informatics is the application of technology to all fields of nursing to facilitate and extend nurses' decision-making abilities and to support nurses in the use, storage, and linkage of clinical information to provide effective and efficient patient care.

The new head nurse on G Unit has been the subject of a great deal of discussion and complaining during breaks. She is a competent nurse of tremendous integrity with approximately 30 years' experience. Her predominant method of problem solving and communication is through meetings, which can go over the allotted time. The staff may: a. Be represented by a high number of Baby Boomers. b. Be presenting different generational values and attitudes than the head nurse. c. Be unresponsive to her transactional leadership style. d. Want a leader rather than a manager.

ANS: B Leaders who come out of the Baby Boomer generation may be more comfortable with collective action than followers who come out of the Emerging Workforce generation, who are more comfortable with interactions if they are seen as having value for them and with activities if they are seen as having benefit. A group that is highly weighted toward the Emerging Workforce generation may find the approach of a leader who is part of the Baby Boomer generation frustrating and may not understand the meaning or value of the meetings. REF: Page 42 | Page 43 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

10. What is a strategy that can be used by a small community hospital with limited resources to develop an evidence-based nursing practice program? a. Hiring a nurse researcher b. Partnering with nurse researchers at a local university c. Subscribing to journals devoted to evidence-based nursing d. Including research competencies in managers' job descriptions

ANS: B Partnering with nurse researchers assists in providing nurse researcher expertise and leadership to organizations that do not have the size or the resources to hire nurse researchers.

Joanne, a new nurse manager, writes certain assumptions regarding the organization's objectives into her budget. Her supervisor tells her that the objectives implied in her assumptions are not entirely consistent with the organization, and that she needs to clarify these objectives with her supervisor. Joanne apologizes and says she had more latitude with the budget where she previously worked. This is an example of: a. Role complexity. b. Role ambiguity. c. Role conflict. d. Time-dependent roles.

ANS: B Role ambiguity in the workplace creates an environment for misunderstanding and hinders effective communication. Without clear expectations of performance, missteps in performance can occur.

A nurse manager is excited by the possible use of speech recognition (SR) systems for documentation of patient care, especially during crisis situations when staff members need to focus on performing rapid assessments and implementation of procedures. She learns, however, that SR systems would be impractical at this point. What would lead to this conclusion? A) SR systems are not available outside pilot projects. B) The type of speech required for voice recognition is unlikely to occur in a pressured situation. C) The hands-free function has not been perfected in SR technology. D) Wireless communications are prone to unreliability in transmission.

ANS: B Speech recognition systems rely on staccato-like speech, pauses between words, and programming for each user, any and all of which would be unlikely in a pressured crisis situation. SR is being used primarily for therapeutic purposes and in situations where data entry is stable.

6. A strategic goal developed by the chief nursing officer is to implement an evidence-based practice program. What is an appropriate strategy that can be used by a nurse manager who is beginning to implement an evidence-based practice program? a. Conducting a review of adverse events and incident reports b. Soliciting input from staff members c. Reviewing specialty organization guidelines d. Identifying patients with extended lengths of stay

ANS: B Stakeholders need to be involved early, and staff members need to be involved when initiatives involve direct patient care. Involvement assists in understanding issues and concerns, motivations, and unmet needs.

11. Tara, the unit manager, is telling her colleague about her recent project, which involves seeking the most effective approaches to incontinence care, with the intention of adopting evidence-supported approaches on her dementia care unit. Her colleague suggests that translation of research into practice is: a. Less important than knowledge-generating research, which is required to advance the nursing profession. b. A priority of all healthcare practitioners to improve patient care. c. Characterized by lack of knowledge about how to use evidence to guide practice. d. So difficult that it is useless to begin the query in the first place.

ANS: B The National Institutes of Health identified translational research, or getting research into the hands of practitioners to improve patient care, as a priority.

13. The clinical guidelines for management of incontinence developed by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO): a. Reflect practice that is fiscally directed and sound. b. Articulate practice recommendations developed from synthesis and review of evidence. c. Are intended to increase awareness of issues in incontinence management. d. Reflect a compilation of information from a variety and range of sources related to incontinence.

ANS: B The evidence-based practice (EBP) movement has grown exponentially with scientific publications, establishment of collaboration centers, resources on the Web, and grants focused specifically on translating of research into practice. A number of evidence-based nursing centers have been established around the world. These centers have teams of researchers who critically appraise evidence and then disseminate protocols for the use of evidence in practice. In this example, clinical guidelines have been developed by a professional nursing organization on the basis of best possible evidence on incontinence management. Although issues may be raised in the recommendations, the purpose is to guide practice for the purposes of better patient care.

The hospital administrator approves a case management position for a new rehabilitation unit to help reduce costs. In developing the job description, the nurse manager understands that a key element of case management is: a. Managing of care by nurse managers. b. Coordination of resources for effective outcomes. c. Rapid discharge of clients to decrease costs. d. Managing of care for outpatient clients only.

ANS: B The key to effective case management is proactive coordination of care from the point of admission to accomplish appropriate and effective outcomes. Case management involves components such as case selection, multidisciplinary assessment, collective planning, coordination of events, negotiation, and evaluation and documentation of the outcomes of patient status in measures of cost. Case management is employed in a variety of settings. REF: Page 63 | Page 64 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

The Sunny Long-Term Care Facility has experienced numerous difficulties with staff relationships, despite its success in maintaining financial viability and judicious use of resources. Staff members complain that the primary concerns of the facility include applying policy, saving money, and ensuring that lawsuits are avoided. There is little trust in, and involvement of, staff members. This facility may be: a. Well managed and well led. b. Overly managed and not well led. c. Poorly managed and well led. d. Overly led and overly managed.

ANS: B This organization is concerned primarily with coordination of resources, application of current policy, and economic issues connected to the present. These behaviors are consistent with the management role. There is little evidence that the organization displays leadership, which involves trust, belief, hope, and vision. REF: Page 36 | Page 37 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

Which of the following nurses is MOST likely to inspire others to do their best? a. Nancy, RN, is an individual who enjoys details and organization. She regularly leaves notes for the next shift about what has been done incorrectly or omitted. b. Jim, RN, has been involved in nursing for several years and is well liked by patients and families. He continually searches for new knowledge and skills, and his sense of humor and optimism are infectious. c. Clara has been the head nurse on Unit 3Y for years. She is quiet but enjoys patients and their families. She has not been to a conference in years because the unit is her entire life. d. Karen is a team leader. She is extraordinarily vigilant about ensuring that everyone is treated fairly in assignments. She is also very conscientious about care and regularly checks up on what everyone is doing to ensure that it is done correctly.

ANS: B To be inspired, people must have a positive leader who radiates energy, a zest for learning, and an interest in the common good, and is engaged in self-renewal. This leader is hopeful and optimistic. Leaders, not managers, inspire others to work to their highest level. REF: Page 36 | Page 37 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

he nurse manager in the Emergency Department needs to implement new staffing patterns. As a transformational leader, the nurse manager should: a. Explain in detail how well the new idea will work. b. Reinforce how this change will respond to the ideas and solutions generated by staff members. c. Reason with staff members that the new idea will save money and allow more free time. d. Imply that raises will be smaller than anticipated if the new idea is not accepted.

ANS: B Transformational leadership inspires and motivates others through influence and persuasion rather than through rewards (e.g., free time) and punishment (e.g., smaller raises). This type of leader listens to the views of others (such as those of the staff members), empowers others to lead (such as in generating solutions for staffing problems), finds ways to remove barriers, and serves as an advocate for those who care for patients. REF: Page 38 | Page 39 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

20. John Smith, one of three managers at BSG Labs, drafted a policy that would allow his department to do more testing in his lab. This policy included the times for regular collection as well as a new process for emergency laboratory testing. The policy and procedures were never followed. The reason was that: a. The policy was too lengthy and inundated readers with too much detail. b. The policy made decisions for other departments in the company. c. The staff did not believe that the new policy would be effective. d. Testing should not be done in the lab.

ANS: B Two primary criteria make for effective decisions. First, the decision must be of a high quality; that is, it achieves the predefined goals, objectives, and outcomes. Second, those who are responsible for its implementation must accept the decision. Higher-quality decisions are more likely to result if groups are involved in the decision-making and problem-solving process. Taking ownership of the process and outcome provides a smoother transition in changes. REF: Page 105 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

The style of leadership that Kari is exhibiting is likely to: a. Ensure that the organization is financially stable. b. Stifle innovative thinking about ways to move out of financial jeopardy. c. Lead to apathy and disinterest in the organizational goals. d. Lead to decreased attrition of staff on her unit.

ANS: B Whether or not the organization achieves financial stability is a function of financial envisioning and planning, but the style of leadership (transactional) that Kari is demonstrating is likely maintaining the status quo within the organization, without generating creative and innovative ideas to address the financial issues. Staff commitment is low to stable, and conformity to organizational goals is motivated by external rewards. REF: Page 45 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

17. Which of the following would be most effective in implementing the findings of Dobbins et al. on treating problems associated with bowel motility? a. Lecture by a nurse practitioner b. Workshop for surgical nurses that involves discussion of case studies and application of evidence c. Discussion of the findings on the bulletin boards at the workstation d. Education of unit opinion leaders regarding the evidence presented in the studies

ANS: B Work by Dobbins et al. suggests that translation of research into practice is best facilitated through interactive learning such as workshops. Least effective strategies included didactic learning and distribution of learning materials.

The NQF provides a model for advancement of healthcare quality that could be used in healthcare organizations. What does the use of this model by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services specificity link with adverse patient events for healthcare facilities? a. Staffing b. Funding c. Composition of executive councils d. Composition of consumer-based councils

ANS: B The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have adopted a policy based on the NQF's "Never Events." The CMS will no longer pay for patient conditions or events that result from poor practice while patients are under the care of a health professional.

As the charge nurse on the night shift in a small long-term care facility, you have found that there is little turnover among your licensed practical nurse and nursing assistant (NA) staff members, but they are not very motivated to work beyond their job descriptions. Which of the following strategies might motivate the staff and lead to greater job satisfaction? a. Ask the director of nursing to offer higher wages and bonuses for extra work for the night licensed practical nurses and NAs. b. Allow the licensed practical nurses and NAs greater decision-making power within the scope of their positions in the institution. c. Help the licensed practical nurses and NAs with their work, whenever possible. d. Ask the director of nursing to increase job security for night staff by having them sign contracts that guarantee work.

ANS: B A nurse leader should provide an environment conducive to opinion sharing that involves staff in decision-making at all levels. This approach is shown to increase job satisfaction. Decision-making and the corresponding actions taken are core tasks performed in engagement with co-workers.

A nurse manager of a 20-bed medical unit finds that 80% of the patients are older adults. She is asked to assess and adapt the unit to better meet the unique needs of older adult patients. According to complexity principles, what would be the best approach to take in making this change? a. Leverage the hierarchical management position to get unit staff involved in assessment and planning. b. Engage involved staff at all levels in the decision-making process. c. Focus the assessment on the unit, and omit the hospital and community environment. d. Hire a geriatric specialist to oversee and control the project.

ANS: B Complexity theory suggests that systems interact and adapt and that decision-making occurs throughout the systems, as opposed to being held in a hierarchy. In complexity theory, everybody's opinion counts; therefore, all levels of staff would be involved in decision-making.

4. Shortly after being informed of fetal death, a laboring woman asks why she is not able to hear her baby's heartbeat on the monitor anymore. Although the monitor volume had been turned off so that the patient would be able to sleep between contractions, the nurse responded that there was no heartbeat to hear because the baby had died in utero; then the nurse asked whether the patient would like to talk about how she was feeling. This response demonstrates a. lack of empathy. b. ethical leadership. ' c. complexity science. d. a coercive relationship.

ANS: B Ethical leadership is based on a willingness to identify and act on complex problems in an ethical manner. Leadership can be misused when coercive relationships form, and information and true goals are withheld.

As a senior executive, you are keen to develop your hospital as a learning organization. Part of your purpose in translating this vision into practice is to (select all that apply): a. Retain funding from third-party payers. b. Develop leaders. c. Maintain and/or improve quality of care. d. Stay abreast of new knowledge and evidence.

ANS: B, C, D Learning organizations are concerned with providing opportunities and incentives for individuals and groups to engage in lifelong learning, in recognition of the positive impact that learning has on patient outcomes and staying abreast of new knowledge. Lifelong learning and reflection are also characteristics of leaders. REF: Page 36 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

10. An experienced staff nurse applies for a distinct position of patient advocate at a new clinic. Based on the various tools available to her, which of the following should she bring to her interview to best present her skills? a. Résumé b. Annual evaluations c. Portfolio d. Patient advocacy project

ANS: C A portfolio enables prospective employers to view evidence of significant achievements and responsibilities that would be pertinent to the position.

You recently acquired a position as a unit manager. During your time on the unit, you have formed a strong social network among your staff, have promoted the development of relationships between your staff and workers in other areas of the organization, and have formed relationships that generate ideas from patient organizations and the local nursing education program. According to complexity science, you are engaging which principle? a. Empowerment b. Systematic thinking c. Development of networks d. Bottom-up interactions

ANS: C According to complexity science, networks evolve around areas of common interest and can respond to problems in creative and novel ways

3. Several nurses on an adolescent psychiatric unit complain that the teens are becoming unmanageable on the 0700-1900 shift. To resolve this problem, the nurse manager decides that the staff should have a brainstorming session. The goal of brainstorming is to: a. Evaluate problem solutions. b. Critique the ideas of others. c. Generate as many solutions as possible. d. Identify only practical and realistic ideas.

ANS: C Brainstorming encourages creativity when one is beginning to problem-solve and avoids premature shutting down of ideas through early evaluation. The goal is to generate ideas, no matter how seemingly unrealistic or absurd. REF: Page 106 | Page 107 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

The hospital administration is discussing the possibility of closing hospital beds in your unit because of a nursing shortage and the increased amount of overtime required to care for patients. As the leader on the unit, which of the following examples best demonstrates your transformational leadership style? a. Your entire staff walks out on strike. b. Your staff sends an ultimatum to the clinic director demanding higher pay. c. A group of your staff members goes to the administration to propose closing of a different unit. d. A group of your staff members goes to the administration to request that they be allowed to work the overtime hours.

ANS: C Commitment to the vision that has been created is seen in the ability of the leader to influence, motivate, and persuade others. The transformational leader can motivate employees by encouragement of novel, innovative thinking. Drenkard (2013) describes true transformational leadership as occurring when the leader "created an environment that brought leaders and followers together to solve problems, create new ways of doing work, and manage change together" (p. 57). REF: Page 38 | Page 39 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

As the nurse manager, you want to increase motivation by providing motivating factors. Which action would you select? a. Collaborate with the human resources/personnel department to develop on-site daycare services. b. Provide a hierarchical organizational structure. c. Implement a model of shared governance. d. Promote the development of a flexible benefits package.

ANS: C Complexity theory suggests that systems interact and adapt and that decision-making occurs throughout systems, as opposed to being made unilaterally by different levels of the organizational hierarchy. In complexity theory, every person's opinion counts, and therefore all levels of staff would be involved in decision-making. This principle underlies shared governance. Shared governance is an example of nurse decision-making in which nurses at different organizational levels engage in shaping policy and practices.

Elizabeth, an RN with approximately 15 years of service on your unit, walks away from one of the learning sessions on IV care and you overhear her telling a colleague that she thought the session was a waste of time because "the unit has been using heparin for years and there has never been any adverse effects." You follow up with Elizabeth and discover that she is really quite angry about the information sessions because she feels that you are implying that "what she has been doing all these years means that she is incompetent and doesn't care about her patients." Which of the following would be the most effective response to Elizabeth? a. "I understand how you feel, but you are going to have to change." b. "It is unfortunate that you feel this way. Others seem quite excited about the new information." c. "It is difficult sometimes to change what we know very well. Sometimes it can be frightening." d. "Perhaps I can arrange some more information sessions for you, so you can see just how important this change is to patient safety."

ANS: C Dialogue can reveal areas where individuals feel inept or overwhelmed, providing the leader with an understanding of what programs need to be developed to increase personal ability to change and what educational initiatives need to be implemented to support change. To promote dialogue, leaders must serve as facilitators, promoting the sharing of ideas, fears, and honest reactions to the change proposal.

20. During an interview for a manager's position, you find the supervisor and staff unfriendly. Responses to questions are met with vague responses. After the interview, you decide not to pursue the position. What follow-up, if any, is most appropriate? a. There is no need for you to do anything further. You likely will not be offered the position anyway. b. You should file a complaint with Human Resources about the supervisor's lack of interviewing skills. c. You should send a thank-you note to the interviewer, indicating appreciation for her time. d. You should call and leave a voicemail, indicating your disinterest in the position.

ANS: C Even if you are disinterested in the position or think that the interview has gone badly, an appropriate follow-up is a thank-you note to the interviewer. This recommended follow-up creates a positive impression and may leave open the possibility of future interactions.

You anticipate that your region will soon move towards an e-health record system. You begin to discuss this with your staff and are disappointed that you receive little positive response from the staff about this possibility. One staff member, in particular, seems to sum it up by saying "e-health? Won't happen in my working life! There are too many problems with it, like privacy issues." This response is most likely motivated by: a. Lack of urgency regarding the need to change. b. Lack of evidence to support importance of technology. c. Deficits in education and experience. d. Lack of organizational support for change.

ANS: C For leaders to inspire change, they must have intimate knowledge of what matters to the people they manage. Kotter (2012) characterizes this as establishing a sense of urgency, and this involves overcoming complacency. This is especially hard when there doesn't seem to be any visible crisis, or the crisis seems irrelevant to the people being asked to change (Kotter, 2012).

The clinical coordinator expects the position description of the new wound care specialist to change nurses' responsibilities in caring for clients with skin integrity problems. The best approach to address this need for change, yet to have the best outcomes for clients, staff nurses, and the organization, is to: a. Select one of the change models. b. Use Lewin's model and principles of change. c. Apply both planned and complexity theory approaches. d. Form a task force of nursing staff and wound care specialists.

ANS: C In the second stage, the moving or changing stage of Lewin's theory, planned interventions and strategies, such as education, vision building, and incremental steps towards the change, are executed to support the implementation of the change. This situation potentially also involves complexity theories that recognize that change involves engagement of individuals and subsystems throughout the unit and organization.

On your curriculum vitae, which of the following is the recommended approach for listing employment and educational history information? a. 1979 RN Diploma 1985 BScN 2002 MN b. 2002 Mount Rush Health Center Staff Nurse 1997 Cedar Falls Clinic Staff Nurse 2007 Kilkarney Rehab Center Case Manager c. 2007 MN 2005 BScN d. 1997 Sturgeon County Hospital Head Nurse 2002 Sturgeon County Supervisor 2007 Sturgeon County Director

ANS: C Information that is included in the body of the curriculum vitae should always be in reverse chronological order so that the most recent and, presumably, most relevant job information appears first.

During performance appraisal interviews, Joanne's nurse manager notices Joanne's excitement when she talks about how she has helped patients on a rehab unit understand the complexities of their regimens. When Joanne's nurse manager asks her about her career path plans, Joanne says that she wants to become a nurse administrator. The best response to Joanne would be: a. "Nursing administration is rewarding. What experiences would help you along this path?" b. "You do not appear excited about nursing administration. Unless you are excited by that career path, I wouldn't advise going in that direction." c. "You seem to find teaching others very rewarding. Have you considered that as a possible career path?" d. "You are too inexperienced to consider administration. Work for a few years, and then consider administration."

ANS: C Joanne evidences excitement about teaching patients, and although administration could be a rewarding path for her, education might be a better option for her to consider. Looking at job aspects that are rewarding is helpful in determining which career direction to pursue.

Edith has been vocal about her negative concerns related to a new charting system and frequently expresses the view that keeping the "old system" would have been "just fine." In facilitating change, your best approach to Edith would be to: a. Put her in the pilot planning group for the change. b. Determine if she has considered retirement. c. Schedule her work assignment so that it coincides with those of two staff members who are confident with technology and the change. d. Avoid discussion of the change, and trust that with sufficient training and information, she will change.

ANS: C Laggards prefer keeping traditions and openly express their resistance to new ideas. Having a group of change agents and innovators on board to champion an idea builds what Patterson et al. call "social motivation" and "social ability." This group can help staff, such as laggards, who are less adept at change.

To retain supervisory staff members, the director of nursing develops a mentoring program. The best person to be a mentor for a new supervisor in a leadership position is someone who has: a. Been in exactly the same position and can relate to the new supervisor's problems. b. Had vast leadership opportunities and likes to talk about his or her past experiences. c. Leadership experience and time to spend communicating with the new supervisor about his or her experiences. d. People who can help the new supervisor get what he or she needs to make the organization grow quickly and prosper in the process.

ANS: C Mentors need to have experience and some success in the leadership area of interest, as well as interest in the future development of the novice. The mentor can be geographically distant or close and able to provide advice and feedback. REF: Page 40 | Page 41 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

Despite the implementation of bar-code medication administration (BCMA) on your busy medical unit, you notice that the number of medication errors has not significantly decreased. Which of the following reasons might explain the lack of change in errors? a. A number of new medications have been introduced into the hospital pharmacy that are not yet recognized in the CDS. b. There have been an unusually high number of patients on the unit who have been unable to confirm their identity at the time of medication administration. c. Lack of staff understanding and support for BCMA has led to overrides or failures to scan bar codes during busy times. d. Clinical data that have been entered into the system to guide administration of the medications are outdated.

ANS: C Most errors related to technology involve mislabeled bar codes on medications, mistakes at order entry because of confusing computer screens, or issues with management of information. Errors also are related to dispensing devices and human factors, such as failure to scan bar codes or overrides of bar-code warnings.

17. Justin is a nurse manager in a rehabilitation unit in a small urban center. There is a high turnover rate among rehab-assistants because of the heavy work assignments. Despite his need for staff, Justin decides to review each application thoroughly and interview candidates carefully because he recognizes that it is important to hire staff who can best provide high-quality care and who will fit well with the team. Which of the following decision-making models did Justin use in making his decision? a. Subjective model b. Objective model c. Optimizing model d. Satisficing model

ANS: C Optimizing is a decision style in which the decision maker selects the option that is best, based on an analysis of the pros and cons associated with each option. A better decision is more likely when using this approach, although it takes longer to arrive at a decision. REF: Page 103 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

24. As a unit manager, you chair the unit meetings. For each meeting, you consider and establish the purpose of the meeting. Second, you prepare an agenda. Arrange the following steps in an order that would make the meetings productive and successful. 1. Distribute an agenda. 2. Control the flow of interactions. 3. Select team members. 4. Start on time. 5. Keep the meeting focused and directed toward accomplishing the set objectives. Select the correct order from the following options: a. 1, 2, 4, 5, 3 b. 4, 1, 2, 5, 3 c. 3, 1, 4, 5, 2 d. 3, 4, 2, 1, 5

ANS: C Planning, organizing, and keeping the group on task are critical in ensuring that meetings are productive and that time is managed well.

11. Select the statement that best defines the difference between problem solving and decision making: a. Decision-making skills require critical thinking; problem-solving skills do not. b. Problem-solving skills require critical thinking; decision-making skills do not. c. Decision making is a goal-directed effort; problem solving is focused on solving an immediate problem. d. Problem solving is a goal-directed effort; decision making is focused on solving an immediate problem.

ANS: C Problem solving is focused on solving immediate problems, whereas decision making is a goal-directed process that is aimed at selecting appropriate actions from among options. Not all decisions begin with a problem. REF: Page 101 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

A nurse manager has worked rapidly to bring the staff to accept changes in the unit's mission, so that downsizing can be avoided. This nurse manager is using quantum leadership by: a. Focusing on past concerns related to the mission. b. Teaching staff members how to self-manage themselves. c. Determining accurately the direction of change in the institution. d. Requiring all staff members to review and reinforce their technological skills.

ANS: C Quantum leadership assumes that change will occur and that managers assume an influential, facilitative role that encourages forward movement in change and encourages the view that problems are opportunities. REF: Page 57 | Page 61 | Page 62 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

A home health nurse has been assigned to cover a 300-square-mile area of remote Montana. Mrs. Baker has just been discharged home following bowel surgery and has a new colostomy. She will need daily contacts for at least two weeks and then regular weekly contact following that week. Because it is not possible to visit Mrs. Baker in person every day and see all of the other clients, the nurse gives her a laptop computer with net meeting software installed. Each morning, both dial in at an agreed-upon time and discuss her progress. The home health nurse assesses whether or not the client needs to be seen that day and is able to view the colostomy site. This type of technology is called: a. Distance learning. b. Knowledge software. c. Telecommunications. d. Biomedical technology.

ANS: C Telecommunications and systems technology facilitate clinical oversight of health care via telephone or cable lines, remote monitoring, information links, and the Internet. Patients sitting in front of the teleconferencing camera can be diagnosed, treated, monitored, and educated by nurses and physicians. EKGs and radiographs can be viewed and transmitted.

Nurses need to know how to operate a computer, compare data across time, and look for patterns in client responses to treatments. These are examples of: a. JCAHO standards. b. Information systems. c. Informatics competencies. d. Requirements for nursing licensure.

ANS: C The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project identified informatics competency as a necessary component of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for quality patient care. Nurses are anticipated to be able to use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making. Nurses must utilize hospital database management, decision support, and expert system programs to access information and analyze data from disparate sources for use in planning for patient care processes and systems.

You walk into a patient's room and find him yelling at the licensed practical nurse. The patient is obviously very upset, and after you speak with him regarding his behaviour, you determine that he has not slept for three nights because of unrelieved pain levels. The licensed practical nurse is very upset with him and calls him an "ugly, old man." You acknowledge her feelings and concerns and then suggest that the patient's behaviour was aggressive but is related to lack of sleep and to pain. You ask, "Can both you and the patient together determine triggers for the pain and effective approaches to controlling his pain?" This approach demonstrates a. lack of empathy and understanding for the licensed practical nurse. b. concern with placating the patient. c. leadership behaviour. d. management behaviour.

ANS: C The situation between the patient and the licensed practical nurse is complex, involving unrelieved symptoms and aggressiveness toward a staff member. Health care is now delivered in a collaborative and, most often, an interdisciplinary manner, whereby select leadership/management roles (e.g., first-line nurse leaders) serve as conduits for information and care coordination. Providing engaged, collaborative guidance and decision-making in a complex situation for which there is no standardized solution reflects leadership.

7. Which of the following situations is most likely to result in a productive, whole work situation? a. Amy, RN, 5 years of experience in the emergency department. Amy accepts a position working with older clients in a home health agency because she has relocated and this is the only full-time position available. b. Adam, RN, 8 years of experience in various nursing positions, including that of a nurse manager. Adam accepts a new nurse manager position because he has a family and wants more regular hours. He is most comfortable working in direct client care. c. Louise, RN, 10 years of experience in an emergency department. She accepts a position as a case manager in home health care, working with older clients. She especially enjoys working with older adults and wants to take on leadership and management challenges. d. Courtney, RN, a new graduate. Courtney is getting comfortable with delivering nursing care as an RN. She is offered a position on surgery as a permanent team leader. The unit has had a great deal of turnover recently, and only limited mentorship is available.

ANS: C The whole of any work situation is composed of two elements: person and position. A productive, whole work situation results when a person's talents and strengths are successfully blended with expectations of the position. Of the situations described previously, the one most likely to result in a productive, whole work situation is that of Louise, who, although her experience has not been in home health, is interested in both the roles and the responsibilities of the position, as well as the target group being served. She also considers the group being served as an area in which she demonstrates strength.

As the clinical director of 24 employees, you have been asked to explain to staff members why they are not getting a raise this year, even though they have been working short-handed for many months and patient satisfaction scores have never been higher. Because you believe yourself to be a transformational leader, you will approach this problem by: a. Telling the assistant clinical director and asking her to share the bad news with the other staff members. b. Posting a note on the bulletin board that includes the phone number of the chief nursing officer, so anyone who has complaints may express them. c. Showing staff members the budget and asking for input about how to cut costs so that raises will be possible in the future. d. Meeting with a small group of seasoned staff members and asking them how to break the news.

ANS: C Transformational leadership involves engaging those being led and inspiring shared vision in moving toward a goal that all will accept as desirable. This involves enabling and empowering others to believe that their input and effort will make a difference in solving problems. REF: Page 38 | Page 39 | Page 48 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

A 39-year-old patient awaits a kidney transplant. Because he must immediately arrange to get to the hospital when a donor kidney is available, it is important that he can be reached anywhere and at any time. To ensure that he receives the message, what type of technology is most effective? a. Internet b. Telecommunications c. WL pager d. CDS

ANS: C Wireless (WL) communication is an extension of an existing wired network environment and uses radio-based systems to transmit data signals through the air without any physical connections. Patients awaiting organ transplants are provided with WL pagers so that they can be notified if a donor is found.

Mary, an 85-year-old patient with cognitive impairment and gross instability, wanders continuously. Lately, she has fallen twice, and the family demands that she be restrained. As the unit manager, you have initiated a least restraint practice. What is an appropriate action in this situation? a. Setting up a nursing team meeting to review practices b. Calling the family to inform them of the practice c. Initiating a multidisciplinary and family meeting to focus on Mary's needs d. Restraining Mary to satisfy the family's wishes

ANS: C Crossing the Quality Chasm emphasizes the importance of rendering care with the client (client-centered) rather than to the client. In this situation, the patient includes family in transparent discussions about quality needs and takes a team approach that involves healthcare professionals, the family, Mary's needs, and evidence associated with safe practice.

The Rehabilitation Unit at Pleasant Valley Hospital has a high number of falls. What interventions might assist to reduce the number of falls on the unit? a. Determining who is responsible for the falls b. Strengthening unit policies to avoid inappropriate admissions c. Encouraging involvement of nurses in education related to falls and safety d. Ensuring that patients are appropriately restrained if they are at risk for falls

ANS: C The IOM (2010) emphasizes the need for nurses to engage in lifelong learning and to use evidence and best practices to inform practice and ensure safety.

A grievance brought by a staff nurse against the unit manager requires mediation. At the first mediation session, the staff nurse repeatedly calls the unit manager's actions unfair, and the unit manager continues to reiterate the reasons for the actions. What would be the best course of action at this time? a. Send the two disputants away to reach their own resolution. b. Involve another staff nurse in the discussion so as to clarify issues. c. Ask each party to examine her own motives and issues in the conflict. d. Continue to listen as the parties repeat their thoughts and feelings about the conflict.

ANS: C Nurses and leaders must assess each situation as unique, determining appropriate actions accordingly. Leaders must adapt their styles to complement specific issues being faced, such as conflict. Examining motives and issues for the conflict in perceptions promotes equal representation of each point of view.

A nurse has accepted a new position in a different organization and is composing a resignation letter for the manager of her current position. What items, if included in the letter, is likely to prevent the nurse from being rehired in the same organization in the future? A) An offer to negotiate a resignation date around department needs B) A summary of the verbal resignation discussion with the manager C) A list and full description of co-workers' annoying off-duty behaviors D) A positive statement about what has been learned from the position

ANS: C) A list and full description of co-workers' annoying off-duty behaviors Rationale: The resignation letter should be honest yet diplomatic. There may be a future time when you would like to return to the organization, so maintain a positive tone about what you have gained by working in that organization.

2. An example of a career is (select all that apply): a. Employment in short-term contract jobs in business, nursing, and whatever is available. b. Involvement in an area of practice that is regulated. c. Continuous employment in the same position and the same arrangement for 20 years. d. Moving into and out of nursing positions in various cities while pursuing travel and education that develop understanding of global health.

ANS: C, D Career refers to progression of skills, consistency, knowledge, and/or status. This movement through nursing life is predicated on having a vision of a career as opposed to a series of jobs. Career styles can be defined as linear, steady state, entrepreneurial, or spiral. Deepening skills in one area is an example of a steady state career style, whereas moving into and out of positions in various cities can characterize an entrepreneurial style. Involvement in a regulated field defines a professional interest but not necessarily a career.

1. Thomas has been a nurse in your ICU for 10 years. In facilitating Thomas' professional development, you would focus on (select all that apply): a. Certification for the ICU environment. b. Discussions about how Thomas can fit with role expectations and relationships. c. Possible specializations within the ICU environment. d. Encouraging him to lead changes that leave long-term impacts after his retirement.

ANS: C, D Thomas is a mid career professional. As such, you would expect him to be interested in honing areas of expertise (such as leadership or developing a deeper expertise in a particular area of ICU nursing) as opposed to gaining skills necessary for his work environment such as certification or becoming comfortable with his role and relationships in ICU, which would be critical to an early career nurse. Legacy building is characteristic of mid career professionals.

John is interested in leadership positions within his nursing organization. Al-though he has been on the same unit for 10 years, he has attended two workshops during that time and has steadfastly refused opportunities to engage in leadership development opportunities or other learning offered as part of the hospital's succession planning strategy. He says that he is interested in a leadership role primarily because it will give him a more stable work schedule and will enable him to spend more time with his family. In coaching John, it would be important to: a. Affirm that his years of service and stability on the unit are the most important attributes for assumption of a leadership role. b. Reinforce that his concern with maintaining balance outside work would be a key factor in selecting him for a leadership position. c. Encourage him to consider the financial rewards of the position, as well as the positive effect on his work schedule. d. Encourage him to seek out new experiences and learning that will complement his existing strengths derived from experience and his interest in life-work balance

ANS: D According to Covey, effective leaders continually engage in learning and self-renewal, as well as in maintaining a balanced life, radiating positive energy, believing in other people, being concerned with the common good, and being synergistic. REF: Page 36 | Page 49 TOP: AONE competency: Professionalism

A rural-urban health consortium enables physicians in a rural remote setting to consult with specialists in care through electronic conferencing, which includes consultation using intranet radiology images. This system may be in which phase of electronic medical technology adoption, according to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)? a. 0 b. 1 c. 3 d. 6

ANS: D According to the HIMSS, this healthcare organization may be in phase 6, which includes the capacity to transmit all radiology images through intranet or another secure source. Level 1 refers to the installation of major ancillary clinical systems (such as radiology) and level 3 to the retrieval of radiology images from picture archives and communication systems.

13. You are offered an opportunity to take a temporary leave from your position as a nurse manager to lead a technology implementation project. Which of the following reasons for accepting the opportunity is most consistent with developing a solid career path? a. You are pressured to do so by your supervisor. b. The organization has no other suitable candidate for the position. c. You have limited knowledge of information technology and no real interest, but this will increase your knowledge. d. Accepting a position outside of your established skill set may establish you organizationally as an innovative, adaptable leader.

ANS: D Although giving into organizational or supervisory pressure may bring an enhanced learning and organizational profile, what is to be gained needs to be assessed against your career goals, interest, and aspirations. Increasing and expanding your skill set within defined career interests is a valid reason to consider a chance opportunity.

Electronic health records (EHRs) are being instituted at Pleasant Valley Hospital. Some of the staff on Unit 4 complain to the manager that acquiring the technologic skills required is too time consuming. They question its value in patient care. The manager responds that: a. The use of technology is inevitable in our technologically oriented society. b. The hospital is no longer able to find the space to accommodate paper record keeping. c. The initiative is being driven by decision makers higher up in the hierarchy and there is no choice. d. EHRs will increase effectiveness of care by enhancing coordination and improving patient outcomes.

ANS: D As technology improves, informatics must be integrated with budget and personnel as a critical resource element. Basing practice on evidence-based care can assist in making solid decisions about resources and in leading and encouraging staff toward positive changes in patient outcomes. EHRs, for example, are expected to enhance coordination of care, improve health outcomes, and increase accuracy of diagnoses. REF: Page 63 | Page 64 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

19. Within a multisite healthcare system, the most appropriate strategy for translation of research would be: a. Widespread development of protocols using EBP at unit levels. b. Dissemination of EBP and recommendations to individuals, units, and the organization. c. Development of the skills of individual managers on how to build guidelines based on EBP. d. Establishment of an interdisciplinary center to guide and lead the translation of research findings into practice.

ANS: D At a systems level, the most appropriate approach would be establishing a center that leads in, guides, and promotes EDP across and at various levels.

Elizabeth, an RN with approximately 15 years of service on your unit, walks away from one of the learning sessions on IV care and you overhear her telling a colleague that she thought the session was a waste of time because "the unit has been using heparin for years and there has never been any adverse effects." You follow up with Elizabeth and discover that she is really quite angry about the information sessions because she feels that you are implying that "what she has been doing all these years means that she is incompetent and doesn't care about her patients." Your response to her indicates that: a. Elizabeth will never adopt the change. b. Elizabeth is insecure in her practice. c. Elizabeth requires more information about the practice. d. Change involves emotions.

ANS: D Change, whether proactively initiated at the point of change or imposed from external sources, affects people. Responses to all or part of the change process by individuals and groups may vary from full acceptance and willing participation to outright rejection or even rebellion. It is critical to be able to "read" people and to recognize that communication should involve people's emotions and feelings.

Nancy is a staff nurse who works on a rehabilitation unit. Nancy tells you that the assistants are experiencing difficulty with the new lift and wonders what your thoughts are on organizing an in-service training. Nancy is exhibiting which trait of a follower? a. Provides a vision for safety that is communicated b. Thrives on taking risks in identifying the problem with safety c. Coordinates the development of knowledge and skills necessary to use the lift d. Assumes responsibility for identifying a safety concern and concedes authority for solution to you

ANS: D Communication of a vision and risk taking are leader traits, whereas coordination is associated with manager traits. Taking responsibility while conceding authority to the leader is characteristic of followers. REF: Pages 56-58 TOP: AONE competency: Professionalism

As the head nurse involved in leading determination of which patient surveillance systems to acquire for your unit, one of your aims is to avoid adverse events through the implementation of appropriate technology. This particular aim recognizes that: a. Human error is significant in contributing to adverse events. b. Documentation of patient data is often illegible and therefore, misinterpreted. c. Data systems provide backup documentation with adverse events that staff cannot provide. d. Physiologic monitoring systems enable detection of early changes before an adverse event occurs.

ANS: D Data about adverse events suggests that a majority of physiologic abnormalities are not detected early enough and may be present hours before the event actually occurs. Physiologic monitoring aids in early detection of changes.

18. Justin is a nurse manager in a rehabilitation unit in a small urban center. There is a high turnover rate among rehab-assistants because of the heavy work assignments. Despite his need for staff, Justin decides to review each application thoroughly and interview candidates carefully because he recognizes that it is important to hire staff who can best provide high-quality care and who will fit well with the team. Which of the following decision-making solutions should Justin consider to have a more efficient department a. Replace staff only with qualified applicants. b. Determine what the problem or problems are before hiring new staff. c. Consult with the human resources department and develop a plan for hiring new staff. d. Consider all the options listed.

ANS: D Decision making involves a goal-oriented consideration of many options that are objectively weighed according to their possible risks, consequences, and positive outcomes. The options should be ranked in the order in which they are likely to result in the desired goals or objectives. The solution selected should be the one that is most feasible and satisfactory and has the fewest undesirable consequences. In this instance, all of the options listed might be considered and weighed. REF: Page 101 | Page 112 | Page 113 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

12. Sue, a nurse manager, has a staff nurse that has been absent a great deal for the past three months. A whistleblower gives some information to Sue indicating that the staff nurse will be resigning and returning to school. Because of this, Sue decides to do which of the following? a. Immediately fire the staff nurse. b. Speak to the whistleblower and elicit more information. c. Speak to the staff nurse and ask her to resign. d. Do nothing.

ANS: D Doing nothing is often warranted because of lack of energy, time, or resources to solve the real problem adequately, and because the benefits are not seen as sufficiently compelling to commit to an action. REF: Page 109 | Page 110 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

21. Which of the following is most accurate regarding evidence-based practice? a. Evidence-based practice replaces continuous quality improvement. b. Evidence-based practice began with medicine and assists in determining which medical models can be applied in nursing practice. c. Effective and efficient care can already be demonstrated, which means that EBP will soon become redundant. d. EBP is generally recognized across disciplines and by policymakers as state-of-the-art clinical practice.

ANS: D EBP is recognized across nursing and other disciplines as reflective of state-of-the-art clinical practice, as it is based on best available evidence.

After a newly hired director of nursing has reviewed the hospital's strategic plans, she develops a timeline for achieving those plans. The new leader is: a. Not expecting that novice leaders will have a vision. b. Demonstrating mistrust of the abilities of her staff to implement the plans. c. Instituting deadlines against which the performance of staff will be evaluated. d. Translating a global document into realistic plans for nursing.

ANS: D Followers need three things from leaders: direction, trust, and hope. Developing timelines for the strategic plan involves translating a vision into reality and being able to communicate a vision meaningfully, which is an example of a leader's influencing behavior. REF: Page 35 | Page 36 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

5. After the nurses who work on an adolescent psychiatric unit have had a brainstorming session, they are ready to resolve the problem of teenagers who are unmanageable. To maximize group effectiveness in decision making and problem solving, the nurse manager has: a. Prevented conflict. b. Formed highly cohesive groups. c. Used majority rule to arrive at decisions. d. Encouraged equal participation among members.

ANS: D Groups are more likely to be effective if members are involved, the group is cohesive, communication is encouraged, and members demonstrate some understanding of the group process. The nurse leader or manager should provide a nonthreatening and positive environment in which group members are encouraged to participate actively. REF: Page 105 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

1. The risk manager informs the nurse manager of an orthopedic unit that her unit has had an increase in incident reports about patients falling during the 11-7 shift. The nurse manager knows that the best way to resolve the problem is to: a. Use creativity. b. Obtain support from the 7-3 shift. c. Use institutional research. d. Identify the problem.

ANS: D Identification of a problem is the first step in problem solving and occurs before any other step. The most common cause for failure to resolve problems is the improper identification of the problem/issue; therefore, problem recognition and identification are considered the most vital steps. REF: Page 109 | Page 110 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

As the unit manager, you spend a day performing direct patient care and work with a new system that is designed to capture patient documentation at the bedside. During discussions with staff while giving care, you discover that the number of screens that need to be opened during documentation makes charting more complex and time-consuming than traditional manual charting approaches. On the basis of this feedback, you: a. Assume that the system is doing what it needs to do. b. Provide reassurance to staff that the unit has achieved its goals in implementation of the system. c. Ask some of the staff if they have had similar experiences with the system. d. Consult chart audit data and end user consultation reports to determine if errors and problems are occurring.

ANS: D In Kotter's eight-step change model, removing obstacles means keeping alert for barriers in structure and processes that limit the ability to change and then removing those barriers once they have been found.

A nurse manager's responsibility for financial management involves making budgetary decisions. Budgets that allow the nurse manager to allocate resources at the unit level allow: a. Minimal nurse manager input. b. Limited rationale for budgetary requests. c. Budgetary allocations at the executive nurse level. d. Budgetary decision making at the point-of-service (POS).

ANS: D In organizational structures where decision making occurs at the POS, nurse managers are given some self-control, which includes preparing and implementing a budget that meets the long- and short-term needs of their unit without requiring hierarchical approval. REF: Page 64 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

24. As the unit manager, you are interested in determining whether patient autonomy is preserved through informed consent in surgical settings. You determine that participatory action research is the best method to address this question. Which of the following is consistent with a participatory action research design? a. You interview 125 patients who have recently undergone surgery and transcribe the interviews to determine themes. Themes are validated with an expert in informed consent. b. You circulate a questionnaire to patients who recently underwent surgery and ask for their opinions regarding consent. Data are analyzed and the findings distributed to administration and other groups. c. An audit is undertaken of signed consents for treatment, to determine if the consent is properly witnessed and signed. Findings are used to inform changes in policies. d. You meet with a patient group to determine which questions should be asked about patient informed consent and what issues might be encountered and addressed during the research.

ANS: D In participatory action research (PAR), the members of the community being studied are integral members of the research team and are involved in identifying the questions and addressing the issues involved in the implementation of the research project (Chevalier & Buckles, 2013).

4. An RN staff member had to inform a licensed practical nurse on the unit nursing team that the care that she was providing needed improvement. The RN provided her with some practical examples of ways to improve her nursing care. After the discussion, the licensed practical nurse thanked the RN for the constructive criticism, and the two nurses proceeded to the cafeteria to have a coffee break together. Which follower characteristic did the RN display during this encounter? a. Being a team player b. Willingness to learn c. Active participation d. Being an effective communicator

ANS: D In this situation, the RN staff member demonstrated the ability to deliver negative news to a team member in an appropriate way. This is not an easy task; it requires experience, courage, and skill. Being a team player, willingness to learn, and active participation are all follower characteristics; however, the best answer for this situation is effective communicator.

Which category is unique to management but is not part of leadership? a. Initiating change b. Personal qualities c. Developing people d. Information management

ANS: D Information management is a category of management only. Developing people is a category of solely leadership, not management as well. Initiating change and personal qualities are categories of both management and leadership.

As a nurse manager, one challenge is to orient new staff to your agency's policies and procedures, as well as to provide training across various shifts. A cost-effective and effective learning strategy would be: a. Development of new learning modules and software to support document retrieval. b. E-mail distribution to staff home e-mail addresses regarding important policies. c. Preparation of DVDs that can be viewed on computers at the nursing station during "down times." d. Linking policies and procedures to the network for access when required at the point-of-care.

ANS: D Knowledge technology consists of systems that generate or process knowledge and provide clinical decision support (CDS). The clinical knowledge embedded in computer applications can range from simple facts and relationships to best practices for managing patients with specific disease states, new medical knowledge from clinical research, and other types of information. The most accessible and cost-effective approach would be utilization of what is already available in the work environment, such as the systems that provide CDS.

A nurse manager in a hospital is deeply concerned that senior administration makes decisions about budgetary directions that affect staffing and other resources without sharing the rationale for changes or demonstrating concern as to how these changes may affect patients or staff. She says she does not feel respected and is emotionally tired as a result. This situation represents: a. Bureaucratic organization. b. Realities of current health care. c. Negative organizational culture. d. Quantum leadership.

ANS: D Organizational culture refers to the basic assumptions and values of an organization and whether they contribute to relationships and decision making that is marked by empowerment, information sharing, and truthfulness. Positive work cultures contribute to a perception of being respected in the work environment. Collaborative organizational cultures are essential for nurse managers to proactively work in today's complex healthcare environment in a manner that engages them in their work. Interpersonal relationships can be fostered with organizational designs fostering a culture of collaboration, reward and recognition, communication, and a mentoring environment. REF: Pages 56-58 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

In developing an orientation program, the hospital educator breaks essential organizational information down into chunks, which she develops as online modules. This is an application of which of Drucker's functions of management? a. Establishment of goals and objectives b. Motivation and communication c. Analysis and interpretation of performance d. Organization of activities into manageable tasks

ANS: D Organizing the information into online modules is an application of Drucker's organizational analysis and the division of activities, decisions, and relations into manageable tasks. REF: Page 54 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

19. Social stressors are considered a major factor in the stress nurses experience in the healthcare system. Which of the following is not considered to be a social stressor? a. High amounts of stress in the nurse home environment b. Changes in the current healthcare system such as nursing strategies c. Disruptive behavior coming from physicians and other healthcare workers d. Personal stress triggers such as self-criticism and overanalyzing

ANS: D Personal stress triggers such as self-criticism are considered intrapersonal stressors; environmental factors such as change, work environment, and interactions with others are considered social stressors.

As a nurse manager, you identify that a shift in nursing care models might increase patient and staff satisfaction and avoid downsizing. Administration is reluctant to adopt this approach because downsizing is seen as critical to reduction of costs. To leverage your ideas, you: a. Ask staff to send e-mails to administration encouraging consideration of your option. b. Invite a senior member of administration to your staff meeting, so you can tell him what you are planning. c. Write a letter of complaint to a member of the institutional board about the lack of openness of the administration. d. Identify influential members of your nurse manager group with similar ideas and request an opportunity to meet with administration to discuss options.

ANS: D Staff members often look to nurse managers to lead them in addressing workplace issues with higher levels of administration. To do this, nurse managers must possess the ability to address power sources in the work environment and to define power-based strategies, such as in organizing a following of other nurse managers with similar concerns. REF: Page 62 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

The clinic nurse has just accessed a client's chart on the computer. The resident comes over and asks her to stay logged on because he needs to add a note to that client's chart. She should say: a. "No problem. Just log me off when you're done." b. "I'll put the note in for you. What do you want to say?" c. "Just make sure that you sign your note because it's under my password." d. "I'm sorry, but you will have to enter the information using your own password."

ANS: D System users must never share the passwords that allow them access to information in computerized clinical information systems. Each password uniquely identifies a user to the system by name and title, gives approval to carry out certain functions, and provides access to data appropriate to the user. All users must be aware of their responsibilities for the confidentiality and security of the data they gather and for the security of their passwords.

As a nurse manager on a urology unit, you note that there has been a marked increase in medication errors on the unit. Which of the following actions would be consistent with the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) measures? a. Staff are consulted regarding improvements in interprofessional approaches to patient care. b. Nursing staff are asked for input regarding the purchase of new medication carts. c. A recognition program is developed to acknowledge nurses who have provided safe and exemplary care utilizing skills in the staffing mix to optimize the delivery of patient care. d. Recent changes in staffing mixes are examined to determine if the timing of changes coincides with the increase in errors.

ANS: D The NDNQI measures are specifically concerned with patient safety and aspects of quality of care that may be affected by changes in the delivery of care or staffing resources. The quality indicators address staff mix and nursing hours for acute-care settings, as well as other care components. The NDNQI project is designed to assist healthcare organizations in identifying links between nursing care and patient outcomes. REF: Page 64 | Page 65 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

While explaining the importance of developing leadership skills among nurses to a group of first-year nursing students, Natalie, a nursing unit manager, emphasizes that: a. Most nurses are not expected to assume leadership roles. b. The role of nurse leadership is only at the bedside, ensuring that patient care is performed according to established standards. c. Only individuals in formal leadership roles are expected to be leaders. d. The public depends on nurses to assume leadership in moving consumer advocacy concerns forward.

ANS: D The complexity of nursing and the healthcare environment demands that all nurses assume roles of manager, leader, and follower, depending on the situation. Nurses are involved in providing leadership in direct patient care, in leading others at a unit or organizational level, in moving the profession forward, and in participating in legislative and policy arenas. Consumers depend on nursing leadership to carry the healthcare agenda forward. REF: Pages 35-37 | Page 45 | Page 46 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

Elizabeth, an RN with approximately 15 years of service on your unit, walks away from one of the learning sessions on IV care and you overhear her telling a colleague that she thought the session was a waste of time because "the unit has been using heparin for years and there has never been any adverse effects." According to Havelock (1973), this comment may originate from failure in which phase of the six phases of planned change? a. Generating self-renewal b. Choosing the solution c. Diagnosing the problem d. Building a relationship

ANS: D The first phase of this model of planned change involves building a relationship as a basis for later phases, which include diagnosing the problem and choosing the solution. At this point, as a new manager, the relationship may not have yet developed sufficiently with Elizabeth.

24. The agency in which you are a nursing leader makes a decision to reduce the number of RN positions in favor of PN positions because agency data suggest that the clients in the agency can receive appropriate care from PN staff. Furthermore, the agency is facing a decline in funding and without restructuring, some clients might not receive services at all. You provide this information on this decision to the staff and ask them to advise you if they have any feedback, concerns, or alternative solutions. This decision-making style is known as: a. Paternalistic. b. Shared. c. Reasoned d. Informative.

ANS: D The informative model offers the staff the ability to make a decision after the information has been shared and without the active involvement of the manager. REF: Page 103 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

You have hired a new RN to replace a well-respected and experienced nurse in your outpatient department. The new RN recently graduated and is nervous about stepping into a role that was previously filled by someone who was so competent. You recognize anxiety and set up regular, frequent meetings during which you explore how she is dealing with her anxiety, provide feedback, and discuss strategies/ideas that will enhance her performance. What development approach are you using? a. Performance appraisal. b. Counseling. c. Empowerment. d. Coaching.

ANS: D The overall evaluative process can be enhanced if the manager employs the technique of coaching. Coaching is a process that involves the development of individuals within an organization. This coaching process is a personal approach in which the manager and the employee interact on a frequent and regular basis with the ultimate outcome that the employee performs at an optimal level.

19. When confronted with the controversy and the apparent poor morale of the evening staff, the unit manager decided the staff needed to take some time off. He scheduled holidays for the staff without consulting them. A couple of the staff nurses approached the manager and indicated that the problem was not scheduling, but rather the team leader and her patient assignments. What was the unit manager's first missed step in problem solving? a. Not using a problem-solving model b. Not considering a number of alternatives c. Poor evaluation of outcomes d. Incorrect problem identification

ANS: D The unit manager did not begin with an accurate identification of the problem. Problem solving needs to begin with "why?" REF: Page 109 | Page 110 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

Thomas has been a nurse in your ICU for 10 years. In facilitating Thomas' professional development, the nurse manager would focus on: A) certification for the ICU environment. B) discussions about how Thomas can fit with role expectations and relationships. C) possible changes to other ICU environments. D) encouraging him to lead changes that leave long-term impacts after his retirement.

ANS: D Thomas is a mid-career professional. As such, you would expect him to be interested in honing areas of expertise (such as leadership or developing a deeper expertise in a particular area of ICU nursing) as opposed to gaining skills necessary for his work environment such as certification or becoming comfortable with his role and relationships in ICU, which would be critical to an early career nurse. Legacy building is characteristic of mid-career professionals.

23. Time management is very essential for the nurse manager. Which of the following is not a good time-management technique? a. Decide what not to do. b. Learn to say "No." c. Learn to delegate. d. Break down your workload into large manageable tasks.

ANS: D To manage time successfully, it is important to break down your workload into smaller, manageable tasks. Developing PERT and Gantt charts will aid in dealing with larger, complex projects. Both charts can be used to outline how an individual will approach a large project.

18. Which of the following is an effective approach in the appraisal of research studies? a. Accept only studies that use a RCT design. b. When ranking research studies, choose RCTs over qualitative studies. c. Select only studies with a large sample size. d. Evaluate the quality of the research against the standards for that type of research.

ANS: D While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are generally considered the gold standard for research, it is important to assess not only the method but the quality of the study and its applicability to the question that is being asked. The quality of all studies should be appraised against the standards accepted for that that type of research.

8. In a rural hospital, the unit for which you are charge nurse has a particularly busy morning. A 52-year-old patient is complaining of left-sided chest pain and a multiparous patient is about to deliver. A child with asthma is experiencing early signs of an attack. The other RN on the unit is a recent graduate who has not yet been orientated to the labor room and has limited cardiac nursing experience. An unregulated assistant is also available. You must decide which patient situation you will take and where the RN's skills can best be used. Given the limitations in skills and experience, number of staff available, and time constraints, you must make a decision that involves: a. A higher-order thinking process. b. Selecting the best option for reaching a predefined goal. c. Optimizing. d. Satisficing.

ANS: D With this approach, the decision maker selects an acceptable solution, one that may minimally meet the objective or standard for a decision. This approach allows for quick decisions and may be the most appropriate when lack of time is an issue. REF: Page 103 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

In an effort to control costs and maximize revenues, the Rehabilitation Unit at Cross Hospital reduced the number of its managers and increased the number of units for which each manager was responsible. Within a year, the number of adverse events on the units had doubled. How do the increase in adverse events relate to decreased managers? a. The overload of staff nurse duties b. Resistance to change by staff c. A change in reporting system for everyone d. Fewer clinical leaders facilitate best practice

ANS: D Eliminating barriers to the implementation of best practices is the role of managers and leaders. When there are insufficient resources for leadership to encourage a culture in which evidence-based practice is embraced, frontline nurses recognize this as a stumbling block for delivering quality care.

After consulting with practice environments about quality and safety concerns in health care, a dean in a health care program implements what to improve quality and safety in health care? a. A nursing program that emphasizes the development of a strong disciplinary identity. b. Programming that stresses discipline-based research. c. Partnerships with health care to develop software for the reporting of adverse events. d. An interdisciplinary program for nurses, pharmacists, and medical practitioners that emphasizes collaborative learning teams.

ANS: D Health Professions Education identified that education related to health disciplines in silos leads to compromised communication and inability to function as an integrated whole for patient-centered care.

As the manager on an acute care medical unit, you note that the incidence of medication errors has increased since the implementation of staffing changes. What is an important stratagem to reduce errors? a. Revisit reporting standards for medication errors in your organization. b. Ensure that medication errors are consistently reported. c. Provide staff with additional education related to safe practice in medication administration. d. Involve RN staff in determining reasons for errors and practice solutions to increase the safety of medication administration.

ANS: D Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses (2004) identified many past practices that had a negative impact on nurses, and thus on patients, and recommended the inclusion of nurses in direct care in decision making involving their practice. Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010) also emphasizes the role of nurses as leaders in changes that improve health.

On the West Surgery unit, you want to institute a new system for checking armbands that evidence suggests may increase safety in medication administration. The system involves technology. What strategy may assist with rapid adoption of the technology and system? a. Employ a centralized decision-making approach. b. Use simulators for initial practice to build confidence. c. Bring in a nurse consultant who is familiar with the technology. d. Use early adopters among the staff as leaders and role models in implementation.

ANS: D The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is dedicated to rapid improvement in patient care through a variety of mechanisms such as rapid cycle change. Rapid cycle change diffuses innovation and changes quickly through early adopters who share information and energy over time and act as role models for others.

A unit manager of a 25-bed medical/surgical area receives a phone call from a nurse who has called in sick five times in the past month. He tells the manager that he very much wants to come to work when scheduled but must often care for his wife, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. In practice of a strengths-based nursing leader, what would be the best approach to satisfying the needs of this nurse, other staff, and patients? a. Line up agency nurses who can be called in to work on short notice. b. Place the nurse on unpaid leave for the remainder of his wife's treatment. c. Sympathize with the nurse's dilemma and let the charge nurse know that this nurse may be calling in frequently in the future. d. Work with the nurse, staffing office, and other nurses to arrange his scheduled days off around his wife's treatments.

ANS: D Placing the nurse on unpaid leave may threaten physiologic needs and demotivate the nurse. Unsatisfactory coverage of shifts on short notice could affect patient care and threaten staff members' sense of competence. Strengths-based nurse leaders honour the uniqueness of individuals, teams, systems, and organizations; therefore, arranging the schedule around the wife's needs would result in a win-win situation, also creating a work environment that promotes the nurses' health and facilitates their development.

The chief nursing officer has asked the staff development coordinator to facilitate the development of a clinical competency program for the facility. While making rounds on the units, the staff development coordinator overhears RN staff complaining that they believe it is insulting to be required to participate in a competency program. Which behaviour by the staff development coordinator is most appropriate in this situation? a. Disregard staff concerns and continue with development of the program. b. Inform the nurses that this program is a requirement for accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). c. Schedule a meeting with the chief nurse executive to apprise her of the situation. d. Facilitate a meeting so nurses can articulate their values and concerns about a competency program.

ANS: D The manager role involves guiding other people through a set of derived practices that are evidence-informed and known to satisfy preestablished outcomes such as participation in a competency program. This involves engagement of staff through sharing of concerns and ideas. This type of leader can instill hope and trust in followers, which influence their behaviors and attitudes (such as engagement and satisfaction) and cause work environments to become more positive.

When administering medications to a patient utilizing bar-code technology, what is the most important first step? A) Scan patient's identification band. B) Scan medication. C) Administer medication. D) Check the five rights.

ANS: D) Check the five rights. Rationale: Although all steps are imperative in the medication administration process, it is most important to remember technology does not replace standard nursing practice (five rights) and safely caring for the patient.

The nurse manager has to develop a patient satisfaction survey. What is one of the critical elements in selecting a patient satisfaction instrument? a.Being able to use the same instrument for all clinical units b.Including items that are important from the patient's perspective c.Being able to administer the instrument before a patient's discharge from the hospital d.Being sure that the reading level is no higher than third grade

B Because satisfaction is a measure of service and service is a measure of perception of what matters to the patient, to measure satisfaction, surveys must include items that reflect the perspective of the patient. The quality of human contacts becomes the measure by which the consumer forms perceptions and judgments about nursing and the health agency. Consumers may not be able to evaluate the quality of interventions, but they always can evaluate the quality of the relationship with the person delivering the service.

Healthcare organization X is committed to improving patient outcomes and, as part of the QI process, examines its executive structure and organizational design. This approach recognizes: a.The importance of decentralized structure in QA. b.That structure influences nurse burnout and participation in quality improvement initiatives. c.The need to ensure sufficient supervisory staff to respond in a corrective manner when mistakes occur. d.That a narrow hierarchy ensures accountability for errors and outcomes.

B Common organizational characteristics of Magnet™ hospitals include structure factors (e.g., decentralized organizational structure, participative management style, and influential nurse executives) and process factors (e.g., professional autonomy and decision making, ongoing professional development/education, active quality improvement initiatives). ANCC Magnet™ designated hospitals and other high-reliability organizations in the United States and Europe generally have lower burnout rates, higher levels of job satisfaction, and provide higher levels of quality care resulting in greater levels of patient satisfaction (Aiken et al., 2012; Kelly, McHugh, & Aiken, 2011).

In orienting new staff nurses to a pediatric intensive care unit, the nurse manager asks the staff nurses to answer the following question: "What is an important consideration in providing information to parents of a critically ill child?" a.Making sure that they receive complete information during each encounter with a member of the nursing staff b.Assessing parents' preferences for the amount of information desired c.Allowing parents to observe key aspects of their child's nursing care d.Making sure that patient education brochures explaining ICU protocols are readily available

B Consultation with the parents regarding the amount of information that they desire reflects a service orientation, in which preferences and needs of the consumer are placed first. The other answers reflect nurse-directed decisions in which the nurse decides what information and how much information is needed and how it is to be delivered.

The nurse manager analyzes the data from the patient satisfaction surveys. What can a nurse manager do to strengthen service recovery and improve consumer relationships? a.Post comparisons of patient satisfaction scores with those of other units on a monthly basis. b.Involve the staff in resolving consumer issues quickly and effectively. c.Ensure that staff members apologize to patients when they complain about services. d.Ask that patients with complaints about services place them in a written format.

B Consumers need to be treated with fairness, given explanation, and provided with information about how errors will be prevented in the future. Staff can be assisted to respond to patient concerns through scripting, support, and an atmosphere that places an emphasis on learning and solutions rather than on blaming.

A 27-year old woman is admitted to your ICU in a coma, following an accident. The family of the patient, who is a Native American, places a medicine pouch in the bed with the young woman. As the nurse in this situation, it is important to: a.Explain to the family that the medicine pouch may contain herbs that may bother other patients. b.Ask the family about the significance of the medicine pouch for them. c.Remove the pouch when the family is not present. d.Put the medicine pouch on the shelf beside the bed.

B Diversity encompasses more than differences in nationality or ethnicity and may include a variety of ways that patients are different from their healthcare providers. Nurses need to recognize the culture of their work setting, realizing that it may differ markedly from the culture of the consumer, and move beyond ethnocentrism to provide culturally competent care. This competence includes cultural knowledge, which involves actively learning about a community; cultural sensitivity, which entails valuing and respecting beliefs, norms, and practices of the people being served; and collaboration within a community (Flaskerud, 2007). In this instance, it is important to understand the meaning of the pouch for the family; removal from the bed without discussion does not demonstrate respect for the values and beliefs of this family.

The nurse educator of the pediatric unit determines that vital signs are frequently not being documented when children return from surgery. According to quality improvement (QI), to correct the problem, the educator, in consultation with the patient care manager, would initially do which of the following? a.Talk to the staff individually to determine why this is occurring. b.Call a meeting of all staff to discuss this issue. c.Have a group of staff nurses review the established standards of care for postoperative patients. d.Document which staff members are not recording vital signs, and write them up.

B Leadership must identify safety shortcomings and must locate resources at patient care levels to identify and reduce risks. One method of doing this is to invite all staff into a discussion related to solutions to an identified concern. This approach encourages teamwork.

As a head nurse, you are concerned about the service orientation on your unit. Which of the following findings and approaches might provide useful information for you? a.Patients find nurses friendly and accessible; data are aggregated for the institution as a whole. b.Data indicate that nurses are responsive to requests for assistance; data are available for the unit and the institution. c.Specific questions related to management of comfort are included for the institution as a whole. d.The survey asks for a range of responses for the unit and the organization, with a focus on facilities, such as cleanliness and responsiveness of administrative services.

B The National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI®) is a national repository for unit-based quality data that can be used by organizations to benchmark the outcomes of care against those of other institutions (ANA, n.d.). Unit-based quality indicators, including satisfaction with nursing care, are a key feature of the NDNQI®. In addition to hospitals being provided with their own and comparison data, researchers are able to access de-identified data in order to answer important questions about nursing care quality. Pain management, the discharge process, and post-discharge patient callbacks are specific areas where nurses can make significant improvement in patient satisfaction. Because patients and nurses may differ in what they see as factors that produce satisfaction, total reliance on nursing perceptions of patient satisfaction may not provide a complete picture.

Technology is integral to a cardiac ICU. Sue, the nurse manager, implements a patient-centered approach that focuses on the meaning of the experience for the patient and family, primary nursing, and a health literacy approach. Sue is: a.Using high-tech-low-touch approaches. b.Using high-tech-high-touch approaches. c.Providing products. d.Providing tangible products of satisfaction.

B The provision of humanistic care within a high-tech environment is characteristic of high tech-high touch approaches and reflects the idea that the more that high-tech is used, the more patients also desire high-touch.

John is an older adult patient who comes regularly to the multigroup practice in which you are a nurse practitioner. He says that he doesn't understand what he is supposed to be doing about his medications, because every time he comes to the clinic, he sees someone else who has different ideas. John's experience represents what aspect of the current consumer experience? a.Nurses are well-trusted members of the healthcare team. b.Fragmentation of care results in lack of respect and trust. c.Care providers often have conflicting ideas about care. d.The public does not trust care providers other than nurses.

B When consumers visit a multigroup practice, they do not have the option of selecting a specific healthcare provider, and thus, there is less opportunity to build a trusting relationship with a provider.

During review of a patient's progress, the healthcare team determines that a patient requires treatment that is generally accepted at that time in the usual illness trajectory of a patient. The patient is unable to pay. As the head nurse, you persist in ensuring that this patient receives the treatment. You are: a.Empowering the patient. b.Avoiding litigation. c.Advocating for the patient. d.Supporting the clinical pathway.

C Advocacy means defending the rights and interests of others and, in this situation, the right of a patient to receive care, as determined by standards utilized in a critical pathway.

Which of the following actions best exemplifies advocacy? a.Developing a list of agencies that will provide free services for the homeless b.Working in a needle exchange program for individuals in an inner-city environment c.Acting on behalf of a patient to promote end-of-life wishes to an ethics committee d.Working in a free clinic for immigrant workers

C Advocacy means making known and defending and protecting the rights and interests of others, as well as ensuring the dignity and respect due to others. Simply being employed in an environment where this might be a focus of practice does not necessarily ensure that advocacy is actually occurring.

Patient perceptions are useful in: a.Determining disciplinary actions in QI. b.Establishing the competitive advantage of QI decisions. c.Providing one source of data for QI initiatives. d.Establishing blame for poor-quality care.

C Customers define quality and patient dissatisfaction as useful indicators of which areas are of greatest concern to patients and of what matters then to nurses and organizations. Patient perceptions guide areas of inquiry; however, they do not establish what disciplinary decisions will be made.

The chief executive officer asks the nurse manager of the telemetry unit to justify the disproportionately high number of registered nurses on the telemetry unit. The nurse manager explains that nursing research has validated which statement about a low nurse-to-patient ratio? It: a.Promotes teamwork among healthcare providers. b.Increases adverse events. c.Improves outcomes. d.Contributes to duplication of services.

C Studies related to staffing and patient outcomes suggest that patient outcomes are improved with a low nurse-to-patient ratio and especially with a low registered nurse-to-patient ratio.

The complexity of the healthcare environment for consumers is increased by: a.Falling levels of education among the public. b.Increased levels of poverty. c.Complex compensatory systems and a variety of delivery systems. d.Increased numbers of uninsured or underinsured.

C The complexity of options in health care and the processes and policies involved in funding health services for patients, as well as fragmented relationships with a growing variety of healthcare providers, contribute to the complexity of the system for patients, especially for those who might need it most, such as the poor, uninsured or underinsured, and homeless.

In writing the patient satisfaction survey, the nurse manager is aware of the education levels of the families. What is the most critical element in the concept of health literacy? a.Providing instructional materials at appropriate reading levels b.Facilitating access to translators for persons with language barriers c.Obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health information so appropriate decisions can be made d.Knowing that most people have limited health literacy skills

C The definition of health literacy used by the federal government is "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions" (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010).

A nurse is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The staff expresses frustration with her because they have explained several times her medication regimen, and yet, when she goes on passes, she fails to follow it. The staff believe that, as a nurse, she should be able to understand what is expected. The nurse's failure to follow the regimen indicates: a.Early cognitive impairment. b.Lack of motivation. c.Lack of health literacy. d.Worsening health state.

C What is evident from the response is that she lacks health literacy or the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services. Using a Health Literate Care Model involves weaving health literacy strategies into care by assuming that patients do not understand their health conditions or what to do about them, and then, subsequently assessing patients' understanding (Koh, Brach, Harris, & Parchman, 2013). For example, a nurse who is an expert clinician in a specialty practice area, when diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, may not have the appropriate background to make informed healthcare decisions.

Which of the following exemplifies a service orientation? a.Staff members on the unit are encouraged to chart details about family support networks. b.Chart audit reveals that details related to assessment of family history are missing. c.The palliative care unit organizes a "tree of light" fundraiser each year to highlight the importance of palliative care. d.A children's preoperative holding area is initiated in response to requests from families and nurses who care for them..

D A service orntation needs to translate caring into appropriate, timely action that meets the needs of patients. Activities such as documentation of details or promotion of services may remain at the technical or conceptual level without a commitment to caring interactions. The institution of a holding area where families can be with children represents a caring action that arises out of interactions and knowledge of patient needs and thus, is service oriented.

You are involved in designing a clinic for women in an inner-city neighborhood. A goal of this clinic might be: a.Development of services that are identified in various studies as important for this target group. b.Partnership with area city councilors and health professionals to provide services that are consistent with their vision and funding sources. c.Provision of immunization and addictions services and health screening services for women in the area. d.Development of services that have been identified by the women and neighborhood advocates as necessary for their health care.

D Involvement of persons in their own health care is a cornerstone of healthcare reform and is important for improving health outcomes and patient experiences. While studies and partnership with key informants are important sources of information in the design of services, engagement of the women through their neighborhood advocates may increase activation and resulting behavior. Patient activation refers to patients' willingness and ability to take independent actions to manage their health and care.

An example of a factor that would impede a patient's learning is: a.Poverty. b.Limited health insurance. c.Being an older adult. d.Heavy sedation.

D Nurses need to be sensitive to the teaching needs of those at risk for disparities in health care: persons of a different race or ethnic group, women, children, older adults, rural residents, and those with limited or no health insurance, low health literacy, and/or low socioeconomic status. It is important that lower expectations for persons who are disadvantaged, have a low literacy level, or have limited English proficiency are not unintentionally communicated.

As a nurse manager, you know that the satisfaction of patients is critical in making QI decisions. You propose to circulate a questionnaire to discharged patients, asking about their experiences on your unit. Your supervisor cautions you to also consider other sources of data for decisions because: a.The return rate on patient questionnaires is frequently low. b.Patients are rarely reliable sources about their own hospital experiences. c.Hospital experiences are frequently obscured by pain, analgesics, and other factors affecting awareness. d.Patients are reliable sources about their own experiences but are limited in their ability to gauge clinical competence of staff.

D Patients are reliable and motivated sources of their own experience but often do not have sufficient knowledge of clinical procedures to provide feedback about clinical competence.

The nurse gives an inaccurate dose of medication to a patient. After assessment of the patient, the nurse completes an incident report. The nurse notifies the nursing supervisor of the medication error and calls the physician to report the occurrence. The nurse who administered the inaccurate medication understands that: a.The error will result in suspension. b.An incident report is optional for an event that does not result in injury. c.The error will be documented in her personnel file. d.Risk management programs are not designed to assign blame.

D QM stresses improving the system, and the detection of staff errors is not stressed. If errors occur, reeducation of staff is emphasized rather than imposition of punitive measures such as disciplinary action or blaming.

The nurse manager on a pediatric intensive care unit wants to evaluate patient satisfaction. The nurse manager understands that ultimately, positive relationships with consumers of care are evaluated by the: a.Cultural sensitivity of staff. b.Cost-effectiveness of care delivery. c.Economic value of service. d.Outcomes for clients and their perceptions of care.

D Trend-setting organizations such as MagnetTM organizations need to demonstrate excellence in outcome data such as patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction and perception of the quality of care are affected by the quality of the nurse-patient relationship. Valid measurement of patient satisfaction is an evolving science; nurses do not always accurately gauge what factors are most important to patients. Satisfaction measures are often skewed in a positive direction with scores clustered at the top of the scale.

The chief nursing officer decides to establish a client advocacy position in an oncology unit. Advocacy is best represented by: a.Establishing private and professional networking systems. b.Asking social services to handle clients' concerns. c.Identifying community support groups. d.Empowering others by promoting self-determination.

D Advocacy involves empowering and promoting self-determination in others.

Hospital Magnet™ decides against creating a separate department to lead and monitor quality activities because: a.Total organizational involvement is critical to QI. b.Data generated by a single, separate department are generally flawed. c.Monitoring and commitment to QI can come only from senior-level managers. d.Staff resent suggestions for improvement that originate outside of their unit.

A Decentralized approaches are effective in developing unit-level solutions, as well as commitment to strategies and implementation of changes.

A family is keeping vigil at a critically ill patient's bedside. Other, distant family members, not yet able to come, call the unit continuously, asking for updates and wanting to express concern. You speak with the distant family members and suggest that you are going to refer them to the hospital social worker, whose role is to work with such situations. What role are you assuming through this action? a. Manager b. Leader c. Follower d. Laissez faire

ANS: A Management is the process of getting the job done and ensuring that people have the necessary resources to get the job done. Referral to a social worker alleviates demand on nurse staff time and is consistent with hospital procedures.

Pleasant Valley Hospital has amended its safety practices and policies. What has the hospital elected to emphasize accordance with changes by The Joint Commission (TJC)? a. Safety goals specific to Pleasant Valley b. Decision-making processes c. Sufficient staffing for safe care d. Increased numbers of baccalaureate-prepared RNs

ANS: A When TJC, a not-for-profit organization that accredits healthcare organizations, changed its focus from processes to outcomes, it emphasized patient safety and issues setting-specific annual patient safety goals.

Based on Elizabeth's insights and suggestions, you involve pharmacy, only to discover that the change in practice involves practice committees, a medical practice committee, and concerns from administration about potential costs and safety of the proposed change to the IV protocols. The change process at this point is: a. Linear. b. Nonlinear. c. Sabotaged. d. Neutralized.

ANS: B Complex change involves nonlinear processes and a variety of strategies to negotiate influences on change. Complexity theories alter the traditional systems thinking approach by asserting that system behavior is unpredictable. This theory views change as emergent, nonlinear, and highly influenced by all individuals and subsystems in an organization

Nurses in the CCU are unhappy and frustrated with their nurse manager. They complain that "nothing is ever good enough for him." These statements suggest that the nurse manager's goals may be: a. Measurable. b. Unrealistic. c. Attainable. d. Too low.

ANS: B Nurse managers who are successful in motivating staff often provide an inclusive environment that facilitates clearly set, achievable goals that can result in both team and personal satisfaction. REF: Page 54 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

After a meeting with members of the family of a dying patient, the nursing manager discusses with you the family's desired approach to care, and you support the manager's decision. Your actions indicate that you are acting in what role? a. Leadership b. Management c. Followership d. Evidence-informed

ANS: C Followership is engaging with other people who are leading or managing by contributing to the work that needs to be done. By accepting and implementing the desired approach to care direction given by the manager in response to your concerns, you are demonstrating followership.

1. As a nurse manager, you observe a staff nurse who over the past few weeks has become withdrawn and has had several absences due to minor ailments. Your best action would be to: a. Ask the nurse if she is okay during report. b. Refer the nurse to the employee assistance program. c. Ask the nurse to meet with you for a few minutes before she leaves for the day. d. Write a note to the nurse advising her that her work attendance must improve.

ANS: C Stress can lead to emotional symptoms such as depression and a variety of ailments. Meeting with the nurse privately may assist in identifying stress and possible solutions.

In determining the fit of a candidate with the culture on your unit, which of the following interview questions might be asked? a. "Could you review your resume for us, highlighting your certifications and experience?" b. "If we were to ask your references, what would they list as your strengths? Weaknesses?" c. "We have a number of older adult patients on this unit. If you noticed another staff member addressing one of these patients impatiently, how would you respond?" d. "Tell us about your work and academic experiences and qualifications."

ANS: C The nurse manager wants the most qualified individual for the position who also fits the culture of the organization. Asking behavioral questions in the interview allows you to assess how a candidate may function in real-life situations and to assess if this behavior is compatible with the culture on the unit.

The successful integration of informatics into healthcare settings is key to: a. Quality decision making related to management of resources and patient care. b. Accessing current information about business practices. c. Meeting the modern-day expectations of staff regarding technology use. d. Speeding up calculations and decisions in budget development.

ANS: A The use of informatics to research evidence and alternative models of delivery, to compare data and solutions with those of other managers, and to enhance the coordination and delivery of patient care can assist managers in making solid decisions about resource utilization. The use of informatics is embraced by Generation X-ers and Millennials who grew up with technology, but may be more difficult for older staff. REF: Page 63 | Page 64 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

What items would be included on a CV but not on a résumé? A) Licensure type and states where licenses are held B) List of professional activities throughout career C) Educational preparation and degrees awarded D) Contact information including address and phone

ANS: B) List of professional activities throughout career Rationale: A CV includes extensive listing of all prior professional activities, but a résumé is focused on details pertinent to a specific position. Some items, such as contact information, educational preparation, and licensure, would be included on both résumés and CVs.

A nurse manager is experiencing considerable conflict among staff members because of weekend staffing coverage. During a called staff meeting, the nurse manager asks the disgruntled staff to meet as a group and determine the best staffing practices. In doing this, the nurse manager is using the concept of collaboration to: a. Demonstrate interdependence. b. Depict flexibility and broadmindedness. c. Focus all energies of staff members on a best possible strategy. d. Defuse the possibility that staff members will escalate their discontent when staffing the unit on weekends

ANS: C When collaboration is used to solve a conflict or to create new directions, the energies of all parties are focused on solving the problem versus defeating the opposing party and creating the "best possible" versus an "okay" direction. When groups come together and mutual expectations are discussed and fostered, communication and collaboration are enhanced, which results in a more structurally empowered workforce. REF: Page 62 | Page 67 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

Role theory has its underpinnings in management theory. Management theories influence managers' leadership styles. Which of the following theories would a nurse manager be most likely to follow when redesigning the staffing schedule? a. Humanistic b. Productivity c. Psychological d. Quantum

ANS: D Quantum theory is one way a manager can serve as an agent of change when patient care work/workflow must be redesigned. Quantum theory recognizes the need to understand behaviors and relationships before changing them, the connectedness of parts such as workflow and relationships, and the need to be analytical, flexible, and empathetic. REF: Page 57 | Page 58 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

What did the IOM Health Professions Education report highlight as a concern for patient safety? a. A normal risk in professional practice b. A result of disciplinary silos c. A reflection of frontline staff d. Related to systems errors

ANS: B The IOM Health Professions Education report (2004) highlighted the education of health disciplines in silos as a major concern in patient safety and endorsed five recommendations. One to be increased and improved communication between the health disciplines.

You pull staff together to assess a situation in which the family of a seriously ill patient is anxious and is absorbing a great deal of staff time in consultation, discussion, and questioning of treatment decisions. Staff members are beginning to distance themselves from the family. After inviting the concerns of staff, you explain that the organization values patient-centred care and suggest that evidence indicates that acting as an advocate and a listener is helpful to families. You ask the staff for ideas as to strategies that are effectively patient-centred in these situations. In this situation, you are taking on which role? a. Leadership b. Management c. Follower d. Visionary

ANS: A Leadership is the process of engaging and influencing others. Strong leaders are associated with words such as visionary, energetic, inspirational, and innovative; they go beyond the status quo to make a difference for others. As a leader, you engage other people in decision-making that moves them toward a goal with a reasonable level of risk taking.

The nurse manager schedules evaluations of staff members using a newly developed performance appraisal tool. The development of a performance appraisal tool should include: a. Organizational mission, philosophy, and position requirements. b. A generalized overview of the duties of a position. c. A skills checklist and accreditation requirements. d. An ordinal scale that ranks all employees.

ANS: A Performance appraisal tools and processes should reflect the organizational mission and philosophy, as well as position requirements.

10. An outpatient surgery manager is evaluating infusion pumps for the operating room. The manager should: a. Select the least expensive brand. b. Use a decision-making tool to evaluate brands. c. Ask the nursing staff which brand they prefer. d. Select the vendor the institution usually buys from.

ANS: B Decision-making tools such as decision grids and SWOT analyses are most appropriate when information is available and options are known. REF: Page 108 | Page 109 TOP: AONE competency: Knowledge of the Health Care Environment

16. Decision making is described by the nursing educator as the process one uses to: a. Solve a problem. b. Choose between alternatives. c. Reflect on a certain situation. d. Generate ideas.

ANS: B The hallmark of decision making is choosing among options. Generating options is one phase of decision making, and solving a problem refers to problem solving, which is problem centered. Decision making does not always begin with problems, but rather is defined as a purposeful, goal-directed effort that uses a systematic process to choose among options. REF: Page 101 TOP: AONE competency: Leadership

John's performance was satisfactory during the first month, but after that time, he was found to be very inconsistent in the provision of nursing care. One month before the end of the rating period, he cared for a very wealthy and influential client, who is best friends with the clinical manager. This client donated new furniture for the staff lounge in John's name to show appreciation for his care. John's subsequent performance appraisal resulted in outstanding ratings in all areas. This is an example of: a. A performance rating based on justifiable evidence. b. A bias related to recent events. c. The impact of personality on the appraisal of performance. d. The effective use of a behaviorally anchored rating scale.

ANS: B To gain and to provide an accurate evaluation of performance over time, anecdotal notes need to be maintained throughout the evaluation period. This process assists in avoiding bias related to recent or sensational events that make a particularly strong impression.

As the unit manager on the unit that is leading changes to heparin locks, you find that Elizabeth is very valuable in terms of her observations about other units and her knowledge of organizational processes, and now in discussing the new procedure with others. Elizabeth might be considered an: a. Engager. b. Innovator. c. Informal change agent. d. Informant.

ANS: C Informal change agents are those who do not have formal, positional power but who have credibility through expertise and can model the new way of thinking, or who offer suggestions, ideas, and concerns

20. At an organizational level, which of the following strategies would assist in ensuring that EBP is incorporated into nursing care? a. Formation of nursing-only implementation teams b. Restriction of evidence to RCTs c. Formation of a network of individuals doing research and/or interested in research utilization d. Avoidance of partnership with experienced researchers

ANS: C Collaboration, partnerships, and consideration of a variety of evidence appropriate to the clinical questions are important in ensuring translation of evidence into practice. Collaboration is considered particularly critical and can occur through practice-based networks.

15. From the information supplied in this chapter, which statement best defines critical thinking? Critical thinking is a: a. High-level cognitive process. b. Process that helps to develop reflective criticism for the purpose of reaching a conclusion. c. High-level cognitive process that includes creativity, problem solving, and decision making. d. Discussion that guides the nursing process.

ANS: C It is generally accepted by many authors and researchers that this statement best defines critical thinking. REF: Page 101 | Page 102 TOP: AONE competency: Business Skills

The oncology clinic manager and the educational coordinator asked nursing staff to complete a brief written survey to assess their attitudes and knowledge related to having used the new infusion equipment for 6 weeks. The stage of change in this situation is: a. Developing awareness. b. Experiencing the change. c. Integrating the change. d. Perceiving awareness.

ANS: C This particular initiative assesses the success with which the change has been integrated into everyday practice after it has been experienced, or the degree to which staff members have accepted using the new infusion equipment.

According to complexity science, which of the following should be the focus of measurement? a. Cost per hospital day b. Bed utilization c. Infection rates d. Staff morale and budgets

ANS: D In complexity science principles to better understand the nature of relationships within complex social systems, objective data and nonmeasurable data cannot be ignored because both inform decisions.

The senior executive praises John for the positive patient evaluations that his unit has received. As an effective leader, John: a. Thanks the senior executive for having confidence in him and celebrates by going out to a special restaurant. b. Points out the impact that the changes he has initiated have had on the unit. c. Advises the senior executive that the mission statement and goals are important to him. d. Points out the contributions of his staff to the outcomes and shares the praise with his staff.

ANS: D An effective leader is eager to share the glory with those who have worked with him or her to achieve outcomes and success. The act of acknowledging the achievement to the senior executive and of sharing the positive feedback with his staff empowers the staff and builds a support base for the leader. REF: Page 41 TOP: AONE competency: Communication and Relationship-Building

14. Marie is a long-term staff nurse on the rehab floor. Her unit manager has been eager to adopt evidence-based recommendations related to family-centered care on the unit. Marie's response has been that she rarely has time to provide care to patients, let alone families, and that there is no good reason to do anything different than what she is already doing. An approach that may gain Marie's support of the idea is to: a. Invite Marie to review the studies for herself. b. Suggest that she does not need to provide family-centered care. c. Avoid discussion of the idea with her until she initiates it. d. Secure the support of her closest colleagues on the unit

ANS: D As a skeptic, Marie, who is a late majority adopter, needs pressure from colleagues to move her towards support of the recommendations. The translation of research into practice requires that nurse leaders and managers understand group dynamics, individual responses to innovation and change (such as the response of late majority adopters), and the culture of their healthcare organization.

As part of an information technology implementation team, you are implementing a clinical decision support system. Particular considerations for successful implementation of this project include: a. Ensuring that the system is reliable. b. Ensuring that patient information is reliable. c. Developing unique identifiers for individuals. d. Developing rules that support inferences.

ANS: D Clinical decision support systems provide support for novice nurses, in particular, as they enable entry of real-time data from patient situations and inferences that apply the logic that expert nurses would use. These inferences require rules to be developed for the system.

John notes that the next section is specific to the organizational philosophy and has a four-point ordinal scale that describes performance from "always meets expectations" to "does not meet expectations." This type of evaluation is most commonly known as: a. A behavior-anchored rating scale. b. Management by objectives/learning goals. c. The forced distribution scale. d. A graphic rating scale.

ANS: D Graphic rating scales are commonly used in evaluation and reflect generalizations rather than specific behaviors.

5. The definition of leader refers to a person who has ability to guide people. In nursing, the leader does more. What is NOT a role of a leader in nursing? A) Active listening B) Open communication C) Accountability in decisions D) Tight control of decisions

ANS: D In leadership and when defining a leader, one does not keep tight control of decisions. Leaders incorporate the follower into decision making and adapt to changes during events and as needed.

As the head of a nursing program, you consistently invite the ideas of your team about innovations in teaching, community partnerships, and curriculum design and invite participation in decisions. Many of these ideas have been implemented successfully, and your staff members are keen to try other ideas. You are employing _____ leadership. a. situational b. trait-based c. contingency-based d. transformational

ANS: D Transformational leadership involves attending to the needs and motives of followers, which results in creativity, improvement, and employee development.