Chapter 9 questions

Organizational culture is best defined as: 1. The stated vision and mission of an organization 2. Policies and procedures 3. The type of decor that was chosen for the facility 4. An enduring set of shared values and beliefs

Ans: 4 shared values and beliefs are the foundation of organizational culture.

What is the best explanation of authority? 1. It is a position dependent 2. It is based upon the ability to lead others 3. It is expertise driven 4. It resides primarily in the pts served.

Ans: 1 authority is position dependent. It is assigned based on the organizations hierarchy. For example, a nurse manager has authority over the staff nurses on that unit. Unless a job description or the person hiring requires expertise, leadership, or collaboration with this managers staff, authority is entirely dependent on where the position falls on the organizational chart. The higher the position, the more authority.

There are numerous sources of power in an organization. Several are available to nurses. Which one is not? 1. Authority 2. Reward 3. Control of information 4. Coercion

Ans: 1 nurses do have the authority to control clinical resources and make pt care decision by virtue of their position and license.

Several of your colleagues are going to join the ANA. You know the annual dues are a little more than you can afford right now, but you want to learn more. Your friend think that joining the ANA will help empower them. How do professional organizations empower nurses? 1. They represent nurses in the political arena 2. They equalize power between employees and staff 3. They provide opportunities for promotion 4. The provide health insurance

Ans: 1 professional organizations create a collective voice for nurses that can be stronger and more likely to be heard, especially at the national, stage, and local levels. Your membership and participation let your voice be heard.

Nurses who feel empowered can make significant contributions to a health care organization. Feeling empowered includes feeling as if you make a difference, that colleagues value your opinion, and that your voice is heard. What is essential to nurse empowerment? 1. Belonging to a professional organization 2. Participating on a unit practice council 3. Reasonable work assignments 4. A rewards and recognition program

Ans: 2 direct control over work and the ability to influence clinical and organizational decision are essential to feeling empowered. Participating on a unit practice council is an opportunity to contribute to the nursing unit and even the organization, make a difference in clinical practice, and know that her opinion and ideas are valued and important.

Creating a culture of safety requires organizational commitment to preventing harm. Which of the following is not a key feature of a culture of safety? 1. Provision of adequate resources to provide care and service 2. Use of inter professional collaboration to solve problems and assess risk 3. Adherence to staffing ratios 4. Encourages the reporting of errors and near misses.

Ans: 3 although staffing ratios may improve pt safety, they are not required to ensure a culture.

If you are employed at a hospital owned by a cooperation listed on the stock market, in which category does your facility belong? 1. Publicity (government) supported 2. Voluntary, non-for-profit 3. For-profit 4. All of the above

Ans: 3 for-profit hospitals are corporately owned and listed on the stock market. Decisions are driven by the share holders.

You have been asked to serve on your unit practice council. This is an important role and one that you are excited to perform. What should you know about professional governance so that you are prepared for this work? Professional governance in nursing involves: 1. Working longer hours 2. Attending a lot of meetings 3. Nurses setting nursing standards for daily practice 4. Changing the organizations culture.

Ans: 3 nurses set nursing standards of practice for their organization. Because you are closest to the bedside, you see and experience the realities of clinical practice. Your input ensures that clinical practice standards are relevant and that nursing care is delivered in a safe, high quality manner.

Which of the following is a characteristic of a bureaucratic organization? 1. Organic structure 2. Flexible teams 3. Rigid unit structures 4. Self-correction and self-control.

Ans: 3 rigid unit structures are characteristics of a bureaucratic organization. They are very formal and organized. Organizational charts depict each development, and decision making is a very formal, organized process.

Communities and regulatory agencies continually change hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health companies to enhance, improve, or change care delivery and the care environment to ensure safe, high quality care. Which factors are important to improving a hospitals care environment? 1. Adequate staffing 2. Collegial relationships among staff 3. Emphasis on staff development 4. All of the above.

Ans: 4 adequate staffing, collegial relationships, and staff development all help improve a hospitals care environment