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22. Amy has worked in the dialysis unit on staff for about 12 years. She is frequently consulted by other nursing staff regarding protocols and policies on the unit. What type of power is Amy using? a. Position power b. Expert power c. Personal power d. Competency power
ANS: B According to the types of power outlined in the text, Amy is most likely evidencing expert power in that she is being consulted regarding areas of knowledge and competency on the unit and is at the same level, potentially, in the hierarchy as her colleagues.
Nurses who engage in infighting, seek physician support against nursing colleagues, and avoid political advocacy through membership in nursing organizations: a. refuse to believe that they are acting like members of groups that suffer socioeconomic oppression. b. do not understand how their failure to exercise power can limit the power of the whole profession. c. purposefully choose to exercise their power in the workplace through indirect means. d. suffer from learned helplessness as a result of abuse by powerful nurse executives.
ANS: B Becoming an active, productive, collegial member of groups and teams within the workplace and in professional associations and community groups ensures that the nursing voice is heard on healthcare issues and problems and is an appropriate exercise of power.
3. The chief nursing officer and the dean of the School of Nursing create a partnership based on belief that by establishing rules and regulations and controlling the environment, this partnership will: a. promote professional medical authority, autonomy, and responsibility. b. need a degree of flexibility to engender success. c. be essential for self-governance. d. provide for the establishment of medical committees
ANS: B Bureaucratic structures have a centralized command structure (chain of command) with a clear division of labor and well-articulated and commonly accepted expectations for performance. Rules, standards, and protocols ensure uniform actions and limit individualization of services and variance in workers' performance. Although bureaucracy enhances consistency, by nature, it limits employees' autonomy and thus the potential for innovations.
4. The local health department nurse manager has developed and implemented a disaster readiness plan as part of a community service. Community services: a. care for the specific needs of individual families in the community. b. focus on the treatment of community-wide problems rather than on individual health problems. c. do not include services provided by public health departments. d. provide personal health follow-up for all acute care hospitalizations.
ANS: B Community services, including public health departments, are focused on the treatment of the community rather than that of the individual. These funds provide personal health services, care for communicable diseases, services for children with birth defects, mental health care, investigation of epidemiology, and treatment of bioterrorism threats and attacks. Monies are allocated also for environmental services and for health resources.
14. Your colleague Mary, a recent graduate, announces that she intends to leave nursing in 3 to 4 months to pursue a position in marketing. While at your agency, she plans to give patients excellent care and to learn as much as she can, because "Who knows? Nursing is a great job with a great pay and I may return someday." Mary's statements most accurately exemplify which orientation to the concept of nursing? Nursing as a(n): a. profession. b. occupation. c. flexible discipline. d. career with off and on ramps.
ANS: B Concern with nursing as potentially one in a series of possibly well-paid jobs reflects a view of nursing as an occupation.
21. 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.
3. 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.
20. 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.
At Hospital XYZ, staff members on Y3 Unit have dealt with the third charge nurse in 3 years. Donna, the current charge nurse, lacks confidence in patient-nurse relationships, and scheduling and other processes are routinely left to the last minute. Staff members approached Donna first and then administration with their concerns about Donna's effectiveness as a leader. The staff was told that the problem is likely staff related, that it is simply an unhappy group, and that there is nothing that will be done further about their concerns. The philosophy of the organization indicates that "open, transparent communication between staff and management is desired and supported," and that "innovation and creative thinking are the foundation of the organization's progress." In assessing this situation as a newly hired senior executive, you anticipate that: a. staff members will resolve the conflict on their own. b
ANS: B Lack of congruence between the stated philosophy of the hospital and the experienced organizational culture does not support either the staff or the charge nurse and likely will result in ongoing frustration, confusion, and morale, which could result in increased attrition.
12. 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.
4. In matrix organizational structures, a nurse manager understands that this type of structure: a. is a simplified organizational structure. b. has both a functional manager and a service or product-line manager. c. arranges departments strictly according to function. d. promotes harmony in organizational decision making.
ANS: B Matrix structures are complex, integrated organizational structures that involve both functional and service or product-line managers. In this structure, team members or teams from various functional departments may combine to complete a project or program, thereby becoming responsible to both their functional department manager and their product-line manager.
12. "At Thoroughcare, we provide health care for women and children in transition" is an example of a: a. vision statement. b. mission statement. c. goal statement. d. statement of philosophy.
ANS: B Mission statements provide a reason or rationale for the existence of the organization and are indicative of the structure of the organization and of who consumes the services provided.
7. Two nurses approach their manager about a conflict regarding the next month's schedule. The nurses are talking loudly and at the same time. The manager most effectively uses communication skills to resolve the conflict by: a. taking both nurses aside, separately and then together, and charging them with resolving the problem without her direct intervention. b. listening to each nurse speak to the other without interruption and asking clarifying questions to help them resolve the issue themselves. c. separating the nurses, instructing each to decide how the problem can be resolved, and meeting with them the next day. d. calling an emergency scheduling committee meeting and asking volunteers to resolve the conflict between the two nurses.
ANS: B Negotiation involves the presentation of an opening position with each party, then moving on until they achieve a mutually agreeable result or until one or both move away from a failed negotiation. Negotiation occurs when one party has something that the other party values, such as a desired schedule
20. Tracy is an RN case manager who interfaces between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Tracy's responsibilities most likely would include: a. managing physician-led research. b. monitoring physician documentation of the need for medical care. c. determining which services are designated fee-for-service. d. identifying errors in physician diagnoses.
ANS: B Nurse case managers serve as interfaces for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are key in monitoring compliance with Conditions of Participation (CoP) elements. The case managers routinely monitor for appropriate physician documentation of medical necessity and other required CoP elements.
10. 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.
2. A local hospital has formed a corporate partnership with a reputable HMO (health maintenance organization). The nurse manager has had to educate staff and personnel about the financial implications of this partnership. An HMO: a. provides more expensive care than other types of insurance plans. b. has a centralized administration that directs and compensates physician services. c. pays physicians on a fee-for-service basis. d. does not pay as much for acute care as other practice plans.
ANS: B The HMO is a configuration of healthcare agencies that provide basic and supplemental health maintenance and treatment services to voluntary enrollees who prepay a fixed periodic fee without regard to the amount of services used. HMOs have a centralized administration that directs and pays salaries for physician practice (e.g., HMOs).
20. The institution where you are a nurse manager has resisted the adoption of a new document management software, citing cost as a concern. You meet with other nurse managers who are in favor of the software and prepare a proposal to take to the senior executive with the goal of persuading the executive to adopt the software. This is an example of: a. collaboration. b. a coalition. c. networking. d. policy building
ANS: B The formation of temporary groups to achieve particular goals involves the development of coalitions.
7. 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.
18. As a nurse manager, you have been offered a position at a Veterans Administration hospital. In accepting the position, it is important for you to understand that Veterans hospitals provide: a. primary care and are privately funded. b. a range of services and are responsible to government and taxpayers. c. secondary care only and are publicly administered and funded. d. services to Veterans under an HMO.
ANS: B Veterans Administration hospitals provide a range of services to Veterans and are responsible to government and thus to taxpayers, who support the hospitals.
6. In opening a new dialysis unit, the nurse manager has to develop a philosophy for the unit. This philosophy needs to: a. reflect the culture of the unit and its values. b. be developed by the nursing manager on the unit. c. identify the clients that will be served on the unit. d. replicate the organization's philosophy.
ANS: A A philosophy expresses the values and beliefs that members of the organization hold about the nature of their work, about the people to whom they provide service, and about themselves and others providing the services.
6. During orientation of new nurse managers, the chief nursing officer stresses strategies that help nurse managers to achieve a powerful image. What behaviors best contribute to a powerful image for the nurse manager? a. Greeting patients, families, and colleagues with a handshake and a smile; listening carefully when problems arise b. For men, no facial hair, always wearing a suit and tie; for women, always wearing a suit and high-heeled shoes c. Maintaining a soft voice during times of conflict; making unbroken eye contact during interactions d. Smiling all the time; always wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase, and, if a woman,
ANS: A A powerful and positive approach is communicated through confident behaviors such as greeting others, smiling, and showing respect for the opinions of others through listening. Grooming and dress need to be clean, neat, and appropriate to the situation. Speech needs to be firm and confident
11. "Georgia Hospital will provide care that is a national example of consumer service" is a: a. vision statement. b. statement of philosophy. c. mission statement. d. rationale for care.
ANS: A A vision statement is an articulated goal that provides an inspirational target to which the organization aspires at some future time. A statement of philosophy expresses values and beliefs, and a mission statement provides the reason for the existence of the organization.
17. The work group on Nursing Unit 23 is marked by apathy toward the ward's patients, high absenteeism, open conflict among team members, and high turnover of personnel, including managers. The underlying behavior in this situation may be characterized as: a. powerlessness. b. anger. c. apathy. d. oppression.
ANS: A Emotions such as anger and apathy result from a workplace in which powerlessness is exhibited.
5. A nurse manager must implement a 2% budget cut on the nursing unit. What approach would the manager use to most effectively empower the staff of the unit? a. Discuss the guidelines for the budget cuts with the staff, making the decisions with those who participate. b. Inform the staff of the budget cuts in a series of small group meetings and accept their ideas in writing only. c. Provide the staff with handouts about the budget cuts and let them make recommendations in writing. d. Hold a series of mandatory meetings on the budget cuts, asking staff for ideas on the cuts.
ANS: A Empowerment is the process of exercising one's own power to facilitate the participation of others in decision making and taking action so they are free to exercise power. It means releasing authority and enabling others to have accountability, for participation and decisions
14. A nurse manager in a for-profit environment finds it difficult to recruit staff. This difficulty may be most related to aggressive profit goals and: a. lower salary compensation for staff. b. rising expectations of impoverished and indigent individuals for services. c. poor orientation and retention practices for staff. d. an overwhelming emphasis on accepting learners from health disciplines.
ANS: A For-profit hospitals tend to have lower wage and salary costs that are most likely connected to aggressive goals for profit.
11. A facility that provides care for patients whose average length of stay is less than 30 days and to patients whose average length of stay is longer than 30 days, and who require inpatient and ambulatory care for addictions, through a spectrum of wellness and illness services and providers, would be considered: a. a healthcare network. b. a tertiary care institution. c. rehabilitative. d. long-term care.
ANS: A Healthcare networks embrace and provide wellness and illness services, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care, through a network of providers.
6. A merger has occurred between a hospital and a local home health agency, creating new roles for the nursing staff in both agencies. The nurse managers of both systems begin to evaluate and revise patient care processes and systems. With the merger, the healthcare organization's changes are: a. creating more jobs in the community for registered nurses. b. resulting in an overall loss of jobs for registered nurses. c. controlled by the federal and state governments. d. controlled by the insurance agency
ANS: A Home care agencies staffed appropriately with adequate numbers of professional nurses have the potential to keep older adults, those with disabilities, and persons with chronic illnesses comfortable and safe at home. Home care is the fastest growing segment in health care and the volume of home health care may have a subsequent impact on the numbers of nurses required.
20. Taylor Hospital has well-defined organizational units that provide maintenance, financial services, care for cardiac patients, care for surgical patients, and so on. The organizational chart indicates that surgical units report to a surgical manager and all nursing units report to a vice president of nursing; financial services to an accountant and then to a business executive; and so on. The primary disadvantage of this organizational structure is: a. breakdown in function and communication across specialties. b. lack of congruence in culture and organizational values. c. highly centralized decision making and authority. d. wide span of control.
ANS: A In a functional organizational structure, departments and services function according to specialty. This model supports professional expertise but can lead to silos in communication and decision making and discontinuity in patient services.
9. A staff nurse asks the nurse manager for a few days off for personal reasons. The nurse manager turns in the request to the human resources office with a note indicating that the staff nurse has demonstrated excellent working skills and is a valued employee. The nurse manager has used the influence of her position to help this staff member. Influence is the process of: a. using power. b. empowering others. c. understanding power. d. moving past apathy.
ANS: A Influence involves the use of power to effect certain outcomes—in this situation, to arrange days off for a valued employee
24. A unit manager watches a new RN graduate interacting with a patient. When the RN comes out of the room, the unit manager says, "I don't know what they taught you in your nursing program, but if I see you do that again, I will write you up." This example demonstrates: a. coercive use of power. b. appropriate application of control. c. use of informatory power. d. use of power to provide coaching
ANS: A Influence is the process of using power. Influence can involve the punitive power of coercion, as is used in this example.
6. 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.
7. 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 affect 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
11. 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 older adult 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.
12. What has the literature on oppression in nursing demonstrated? a. Verified the presence of behaviors associated with oppression within nursing. b. Suggested that oppression leads to bullying but has little or no effect on patient outcomes. c. Failed to establish that oppression is present in nursing groups. d. Indicated that nurses use oppression negatively
ANS: A Oppressed group behavior is apparent when a population is dominated by another group and begins to take on the characteristics of the dominant group (Roberts, 1983), often bullying and abusing their peers. In the twenty-first century, bullying and incivility have become epidemic in both nursing education and clinical settings.
7. The hospital administration gives approval to the chief nursing officer to hire clinical nurse specialists in staff positions rather than in administrative positions. A clinical specialist who has staff authority but no line authority typically is able to: a. function through influence. b. take complete responsibility for the care of clients. c. interview and hire staff nurses for designated nursing units. d. be granted functional authority to determine standards of nursing care and enforce them.
ANS: A Staff positions provide support to line positions but have no direct accountability for staff or patient outcomes and therefore function through influence.
22. As a nurse manager in a hospital, you would expect what to be the major contributor to funding and revenues in your organization? a. The federal government b. Medicare c. Medicaid d. Blue Cross/Blue Shield
ANS: A The federal government is responsible for both Medicare and Medicaid and is the largest and most influential health insurance program in the United States. The federal government is the primary payer of healthcare costs in the United States.
9. The chief nursing officer is given the task of reviewing and proposing revision of the organization's mission, philosophy, and technology. In reviewing them, the chief nursing officer understands that they should be reflected in: a. the organizational structure. b. line and staff responsibilities. c. the policies and procedures. d. government regulations.
ANS: A The mission statement is an important foundation for the organizational structure and defines technology and human resources required for the organization.
18. 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.
3. With the help of a federal grant, the local school nurse has established a spreadsheet that contains relevant nursing data so that she can analyze children's health. School health programs are: a. increasingly seen as primary care sites for children. b. providing only health education programs for children and their parents. c. capable only of providing referrals for health problems to primary care providers. d. funded exclusively by local authorities.
ANS: A Traditionally, school health programs were organized to control infectious disease outbreaks, treat and control on-site injuries, and educate parents and children about basic health. Increasingly, schools are being seen as primary healthcare sites for children.
19. With revenue reductions and cost-saving measures, the number of managers has been reduced, this has increased the number of team leaders supervised by managers by as many as three. This change may result in: a. decreased patient satisfaction. b. increased efficiency in costs. c. a more positive perception of managers. d. little change to manager-staff relationships.
ANS: A When a span of control becomes too large, supervision can become less effective, which can have a negative effect on staff-manager relationships and on the overall quality of patient care.
1. As a nurse manager in a for-profit hospital, you are interested in promoting teaching programs for physicians, because evidence suggests that hospitals with teaching programs tend to promote better care for patients. Your administration indicates that it cannot support your ideas or proposal because of: (Select all that apply.) a. increased salary costs. b. duplication of tests and procedures. c. graduate medical education. d. potential damage to reputation through learner error.
ANS: A, B, C Teaching hospitals tend to incur higher costs because of the salaries required for supervision of physicians, duplication of tests and procedures through the learning process, longer times required to process patients, costs of state-of-the art technology, biomedical research, and stand-by capacity of specialized care. Because of the additional costs, few for-profit agencies and organizations support teaching programs.
1. Organizational culture includes: (Select all that apply.) a. norms. b. traditions. c. behaviors. d. values.
ANS: A, B, C, D Organizational culture, the reflection of the norms or traditions of the organization, is exemplified in behaviors that illustrate values and beliefs.
1. 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 communicat
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.
1. As a new manager in the ED, you meet with each of the staff to ask about their priorities and what they think is going well in the department or what is of concern to them. Almost all of the staff express frustration and distress at being treated rudely or disrespectfully by patients, staff from other departments, and physicians and complain that they feel that nurses in the ED are not valued. With the staff, you brainstorm to raise the profile of nurses. Which of the following strategies would be most effective? (Select all that apply.) a. Requesting increased compensation b. Speaking positively about one's work c. Dressing and grooming in a clean and neat manner d. Using titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms.) and last names e. Submitting a written complaint to senior administration regarding rude behaviors f. Developing a code of conduct for the ED staff.
ANS: B, C, D, F Demonstrating a positive and professional attitude about being a nurse to nursing colleagues, patients and their families, other colleagues in the workplace, and the public facilitates the exercise of power among colleagues while educating others about nurses and nursing. A powerful image is an important aspect of demonstrating this positive professional attitude and includes how we identify ourselves, how we dress, whether we are punctual for commitments, and whether we speak positively about our work. Bullying and incivility are negative expressions of power that can affect patient outcomes. The Joint Commission standard demands that leaders ensure that a code of conduct is implemented to ensure patient safety and a culture of quality.
A nurse manager is experiencing poor staff morale on her unit. While participating in a baccalaureate course, the nurse manager had learned that one of the reasons nurses lack power today is related to the past. In the early decades of the profession, nurses lacked power because: a. nurses freely chose to defer to physicians and administrators with more education. b. women lacked legal, social, and political power because of legal and cultural barriers. c. the first nursing licensure laws prohibited nurses from making most decisions. d. nurses astutely recognized the risks of grabbing too much power too soon.
ANS: BANS: B Nursing mirrored the lack of legal, social, and political power that was prevalent in the early decades of the profession
10. In reviewing the current delivery model, the nurse manager is aware that a demographic change that will have a significant effect on healthcare delivery systems of the future is: a. changes in staffing patterns. b. increasing reports of violence in the workplace. c. the increasing percentage of the population that will be over age 65. d. escalations in the cost of health care.
ANS: C A demographic change that will significantly impact the healthcare system of the future is the increasing proportion of individuals 65 years and older. By 2025, more than 18% of the population is expected to be 65 years and older, which means that new healthcare organizations will evolve as the system attempts to maintain older adults in the community for as long as possible
15. In what situations would you expect low morale and frustration? a. Statement of philosophy indicates "We value our staff." When staff members leave, careful evaluation is done to determine whether staff should be replaced by full- or part-time employees. b. Practices include annual staff recognition celebrations. During times of change, staff members are actively included in issue identification and solution finding. c. Recruitment ads promise opportunities for advancement for everyone. Promotions are given only to individuals with long-standing service and entrenched relationships. d. The vision indicates that there is strong commitment to lead in research. The organization has tried to implement a strong campaign to attract leading nurse researchers but has experienced difficulty in doing so.
ANS: C Although frustration may occur with external factors that affect ability to act on values and aspirations, lack of congruence between what is espoused as a value within the organization (such as promising advancement as an incentive to join the organization) and what is actually done (such as restricting advancement to internal candidates with much organizational history) can cause low morale and confusion.
4. A manager relies on his director (immediate supervisor) for advice about enrolling in graduate school to prepare for a career as a nurse executive. The director may exercise what kinds of power in the relationship with the manager in this advisory situation? a. Expert, coercive, and referent b. Reward, connection, and information c. Referent, expert, and information d. Reward, referent, and information
ANS: C Because the director is in a leadership role, he comes with knowledge or expertise that is required to assume a leadership role, and he has information that he is willing to share, which gives him the power of information. The employee sees him as credible and seeks his advice, which gives him referent power.
10. The facilities department is experiencing some challenges and is undergoing reorganization. Because of your familiarity with systems theory, you: a. know that this challenge is their issue and that it has nothing to do with your unit. b. understand that such events are localized and do not have an impact on the organizational culture. c. know that the nature of challenges and reorganization in facilities will have an impact on other areas. d. anticipate that your prior experiences with facilities have no effect on the current situation.
ANS: C By nature, a system such as an organization is an interacting collection of parts that together make up the whole. Changes to one part will affect other parts and the system as a whole.
2. A hospital is working toward becoming a Magnet® hospital. The chief nursing officer is aware that professional nursing departments in Magnet® hospitals will: a. not be directed by nurses. b. be virtual organizations. c. be designed to maintain nursing standards of practice. d. be entitled to have client care departments
ANS: C Hospitals that are successful in recruiting and retaining nurses have found that the major contributing characteristic to success is a nursing department that is structured to provide nurses the opportunity to be accountable for their own practice. Accountability is guided by nursing standards of practice and thus, successful nursing departments emphasize maintenance of these standards.
5. Collaborative partnerships between hospitals and schools of nursing are examples of hybrid organizational structures. A hybrid organizational structure: a. has many divisions of labor. b. best fits long-term care units. c. has a mixture of the characteristics of various organizational types. d. places the authority for decision making closest to the places where workers
ANS: C Hybrid structures include characteristics of various organizational types and reflect the needs of the situation and the environment.
22. In the Unity Healthcare organization, communication flows: a. laterally. b. bottom to top. c. top to bottom. d. intermittently
ANS: C In a bureaucratic organization, communication flows vertically top to bottom.
14. A primary care clinic is established in Pleasantville to provide comprehensive services to infants, children, and families within the community. The executive director of the clinic oversees physician and nursing services for infants, children, and families; a neurodevelopmental clinic; psychology, family counseling, and social work services; nutritional counseling; speech and hearing services; and physiotherapy. This type of organizational structure is known as: a. hierarchical. b. bureaucratic. c. service-line. d. matrix
ANS: C In service-line structures (sometimes called product lines), the functions necessary to produce a specific service or product are brought together into an integrated organizational unit under the control of a single manager or executive.
16. One day, at coffee, your co-worker suggests that you and she sit with unit members of the hospital research committee. She suggests that this would be an excellent way to get to know people who share her interest in research. Her actions are an example of: a. mentorship. b. politics. c. networking. d. empowerment.
ANS: C Meeting individuals outside the normal work group to share ideas and gain support and encouragement is an example of networking
8. A nurse manager recognizes the need to expand her professional network as she begins a job search for a middle-management position. What action is least likely to expand her job-searching network? a. Reviewing her address book or card file for names and phone numbers of former colleagues who are now in middle-management positions b. Making an appointment to meet with a former instructor from her graduate program in nursing administration c. Making a long overdue return call to a former colleague who is now a chief nurse executive d. Attending a state-level conferences for nurse managers and executives and volunteering to help with professional organizations' informal luncheons and receptions
ANS: C Networking is the result of identifying, valuing, and maintaining relationships with a system of individuals who are sources of information, advice, and support. Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed. Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment.
8. 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.
17. What would be the most appropriate focus in developing a business plan for a nurse-owned home healthcare service? a. Programs to educate the community on preparing healthy meals for a limited cost b. Reduction of injuries from alcohol-related accidents c. Pain management for patients with low back pain d. Reduction of falls among seniors
ANS: C Nurse-managed and nurse-owned healthcare services are part of a growing number of organizations that extend health care beyond that offered through traditional services. Growth in these organizations and services has been spurred by the implementation of the prospective payment system, which resulted in early discharge of many patients from acute care facilities. These nurse-managed and nurse-owned services focus on the care of individuals and families rather than on community-based outcomes for populations such as older adults, or on community-based issues such as injuries related to drunk driving.
21. In the Unity Healthcare organization, decisions, including those at the unit level, are made by a group of senior executives. Rules for employees are clear, and nursing care is delineated by procedures and protocols. This exemplifies: a. transformational leadership. b. transactional leadership. c. bureaucratic organization. d. Chaos theory
ANS: C Organizational structure refers to the organization of a work group, rather than to its leadership, and includes where decisions are made and what the relationships are between groups. In the example given, power is centrally located, with all decisions regarding policies and procedures flowing from this central location, which is characteristic of bureaucratic organizations.
13. Politics is identified in what areas? a. Confined to legislatures b. Seen in dysfunctional workplaces c. Found in all social organizations d. A representation of self-interest
ANS: C Politics involves social interaction among organizations and as such, politics permeates in all organizations, workplaces, legislatures, professions, and even families.
18. A new CEO has been hired at Valley Hospital who proposes to change the centralized organizational structure that was put in place 10 years ago, based on widespread consultation with staff. The proposed structure involves substantial flattening of the organizational structure, with significant decision making being made at the point-of-care and an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration. There is a great deal of discussion about the balance between hospital-wide budget decision making and unit-based decision making. This discussion represents: a. Chaos theory. b. organizational redesign. c. organizational reengineering. d. restructuring.
ANS: C Reengineering involves a total overhaul of an organizational structure. It is a radical reorganization of the totality of an organization's structure and work processes. In reengineering, fundamentally new organizational expectations and relationships are created. Redesign is a technique to analyze tasks to improve efficiency, and restructuring is a technique to enhance organizational productivity.
19. A group of patients with early Alzheimer disease and their spouses approach you regarding help with the establishment of a local Alzheimer Society for the support and education of affected individuals and their families. As a manager in an ambulatory care clinic, what suggestion or advice would you offer this group? a. Self-help groups are, by nature, directed, funded, and led by those requiring help, and therefore, the patients and families should need no help from your clinic. b. Your healthcare organization would be pleased to help as long as your organization financially takes over responsibility for direction, leadership, and management. c. Through partnership, you will provide supports, if possible, that the patients and spouses themselves identify as necessary in the establishment of the group. d. The services that the patients and spouses are proposing are likely being offered somewhere else already.
ANS: C Self-help groups often are made up of, and are directed by, peers who have healthcare needs. A growing trend is the development of community-based geriatric organizations in partnership with healthcare organizations. The request of the patients and their spouses indicates that this service is needed in the community and that they are looking for assistance in setting up the Alzheimer Society rather than having your agency take over the management of the group.
12. Healthcare organization XYZ provides women's health services on an inpatient basis (average stay of less than 30 days). This facility would likely be considered: a. primary care, specialized. b. tertiary care, long-term. c. acute care, specialized. d. public care, specialized.
ANS: C The AHA defines an acute care hospital as a facility in which the average length of stay is less than 30 days. Because of the focus on women's health services, it would also be considered specialized.
2. A nurse manager has worked to bring the staff to participate in and then accept changes in the unit's mission, so that downsizing can be avoided. How is the nurse manager using change theory for this situation? 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 The manager is using change theory to have the staff develop and therefore buy into the changes. Determining the direction of change for the institution allows the manager to work using change theory to guide staff for changes.
8. A nurse manager at a home healthcare service has resigned to take a position at a local ambulatory care center. She has been hired because of her expertise in TJC accreditation. To initiate the changes, the nurse manager has to be knowledgeable about the differences between a home healthcare institution and an ambulatory care center, which is a primary care institution. Primary care institutions are facilities that provide: a. rehabilitative or long-term care. b. disease-restorative care. c. first access to care. d. only outpatient services.
ANS: C The spectrum of care services provided are typically described as primary care (first-access care), secondary care (disease-restorative care), and tertiary care (rehabilitative or long-term care). Ambulatory care centers are an example of primary care.
23. Despite repeated invitations by his colleagues to become involved in regional and state nursing practice committees, Tom refuses. His reason is that "nursing committees rarely get anything worthwhile done because of politics and conflicts." According to the text, Tom's view of involvement: a. is rare in nursing today. b. reflects a fear of power. c. reflects the essential process of power. d. reflects empowerment and capacity to make his own decisions.
ANS: C Tom's response reflects a distancing from other nurses related to discomfort with conflict associated with human interactions. The text defines human interactions within organizations as politics, a component of which is the essential process of power.
4. 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 work force.
16. At Orangetown Hospital, the nursing department is developing a mission statement for nursing. What would be a suitable mission statement? a. "Nursing provides services for patients admitted to Orangetown Hospital." b. "To participate fully in the professional services offered by Orangetown Hospital." c. "To lead by the lamp; services for seniors." d. "At Orangetown, the nursing department provides caring services that recognize the diversity of clients and promote optimal health with clients through partnership, education, and interprofessional collaboration."
ANS: D A nursing mission statement within an organization needs to establish the reason for nursing within the organization and lays out relationships with clients, the community, and other disciplines.
9. 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.
16. As a nurse manager, you have been asked to assist in designing a subacute facility for open heart patients who require further complex care after hospitalization. In setting up the facility, what would require reassessment? a. Patients admitted to the facility must have adequate health insurance to cover the services provided. b. A local nurse education program asks you if nursing students can gain clinical experience with recovering surgical patients in the facility. c. Public funding will be provided to enable care of patients who have an ordinary course of recovery. d. The facility is an older house that is more than 30 minutes away from the acute care center.
ANS: D Because of the types of patients being accepted for care and the distance of the subacute facility from acute care, emergency response and seamless transfer issues in the event of an unanticipated crisis must be addressed. As a nurse manager, an important part of your position may be assisting to develop strategies to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks in this situation.
21. The Wellington Mental Health Institute is fully accredited by the AOA and not directly by the CMS. This means that the Wellington facility: a. cannot accept mental health patients who are Medicare beneficiaries. b. can care for only Medicaid and not Medicare beneficiaries. c. has not met the standards set by the CMS as determined by an external review panel. d. has been reviewed and accredited by the AOA, which is a deeming authority for CMS.
ANS: D CMS accreditation or external review of an organization's compliance with the standards set by the CMS can be conducted by the AOA, which is a deeming authority for CMS.
13. 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.
18. During a unit meeting, you notice that Vivian listens attentively when Mary is speaking and offers support and advice when Mary presents ideas to the group. You are surprised because Vivian has often confided that she does not like Mary. Vivian's behavior is best described as: a. insincere. b. networking. c. politically sophisticated. d. collegial.
ANS: D Collegial behavior requires respect, not friendship.
23. 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.
7. You are a nurse manager in a facility that is part of a national system of specialized hospitals that provide services to children and that is funded and managed through a religious charity organization. This system emphasizes compassionate, faith-based care. What level of consolidated system is represented in this example? a. First level b. Second level c. Fourth level d. Fifth level
ANS: D Consolidated systems tend to be organized into five levels. The fifth level involves special interest groups that own and operate units along religious lines, teaching interests, or related special interests that drive their activities. In this example, the facilities are funded and managed by a religious organization that provides care that is congruent with its particular faith-based values.
11. Sondra, a new graduate, recently began a position as a registered nurse in a rural hospital, where she is the youngest and newest staff member. Although she has limited experience, she has a strong knowledge base, is confident, and was considered to have strong entry-level skills on graduation. Sondra meets with her former instructor and confides that she is very frustrated that others do not seem to accept her leadership. What might you suggest that would help Sondra to understand what is happening in terms of power and influence? a. As a new graduate, it is unlikely that she has acquired the experience and knowledge of other staff, including aides and practical nurses. b. Rural settings tend to be closed systems and therefore are, not welcoming of those who are not from their community. c. Morale on her unit can be improved by engaging in shared decision making. d. Identify the informal leaders on her unit and
ANS: D Developing organizational savvy includes identifying the real decision makers and those persons who have a high level of influence with the decision makers. Recognize the informal leaders within any organization may have more power than the formal leader because of more knowledge of the organization, more informational power, or more expertise
15. What is an example of an HMO? a. Nurse practitioners are paid promptly at discounted fees for each service rendered at a women's health clinic. b. Physicians in a large urban center are reimbursed for visits made to their clients. c. Physicians are paid for each service delivered to enrolled patients through a prepaid plan. d. Patients pay fixed annual fees for ambulatory care services, regardless of actual utilization of health services.
ANS: D Fee-for-service systems provide compensation to healthcare providers in group practices based on fee-for-service, which in PPQs means that fees are paid promptly but at a discounted rate. HMOs are configurations of healthcare agencies that provide health maintenance and services for enrolled patients for a fee that is preestablished regardless of utilization of service.
1. To prepare for the orientation of newly hired nurses, the nurse manager plans a presentation outlining the concept of healthcare networks. Healthcare networks are: a. units that provide only primary care services. b. owned by the institutions. c. a feature of all public institutions. d. units that serve large populations.
ANS: D Healthcare networks are interconnected units. Their aim is serving large regional populations.
23. Sarah is a clinical nurse educator in the dialysis unit at Pines Health Center and provides education, consultation, and training support. Sarah has: a. direct responsibility for patient care. b. direct accountability for patient outcomes. c. an authority relationship to staff. d. an influence over patient outcomes
ANS: D In a staff position, Sarah supports line positions in accomplishing the primary goals and objectives of the unit and provides support, counsel, and advice, but she has limited or no authority for decision making
5. 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.
8. A new director of nursing in a small rural hospital wants to make changes from the traditional model of governance to a shared-governance model. Select the characteristic below that best describes the traditional organizational structure in which a staff nurse is assigned to carry out nursing tasks for clients but is not given the chance to provide input into forming the policies and procedures by which care is delivered or the standards by which care is evaluated: a. bureaucratic. b. decentralized. c. delegated authority and responsibility. d. delegated responsibility but no authority.
ANS: D In traditional structures, decision-making authority (right to act) is held by a centralized decision-making body, so that staff members have responsibility for certain functions but do not participate in decisions related to those functions.
19. 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.
1. Because of rapid turnover and the ongoing hiring of new graduates, the skill levels of staff in a busy CCU are varied. Senior staff are becoming burned out with the need to provide mentorship and guidance to new staff. As the manager, you propose the addition of a nurse in advanced practice to provide consultation and education for staff. What is this position considered? a. Hierarchical position b. Ancillary c. Line position d. Staff position
ANS: D Line personnel have authority for decision making, whereas personnel in staff positions provide education, support, advice, and counsel. The nurse in the advanced practice is providing advice and support through education as well as consultation.
5. A nursing informatics specialist hired by Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance System (a form of third-party payers benefit package for a prepaid fee that uses specific standards to approve a period of time for the use of inpatient and community health services) is participating in: a. critical pathways. b. healthcare networks. c. health maintenance organizations. d. managed care.
ANS: D Managed care strives to contain costs (e.g., through limitation of time in care) while maintaining quality. Managed care combines care delivery with financing and provides comprehensive services for a fixed prepaid fee. Group practice plans take various forms. One form has a centralized administration that directs and pays salaries for physician practice (e.g., HMOs)
24. What patients would most likely be covered under Medicare? a. Jim, who lives on the street and has occasional infections b. Alysha, who is on social assistance and has a 5-year-old daughter with frequent ear infections c. Karen, a housewife, 45 years of age, whose husband recently abandoned the family d. Dan, who is 68 years of age and in good health
ANS: D Medicare is a federal government program for individuals over 65 and with certain permanent illnesses, such as end-stage renal disease. Medicaid provides financing of health care for the medically indigent
19. What interaction is MOST consistent with the idea of networking? a. Meet with the same colleagues daily to have coffee and share concerns about the workplace and stories about colleagues. b. Join an online workplace forum to gain ideas about how to handle workplace conflict. c. Suggest that you and a new team member meet after work for coffee to review unit guidelines. d. Join a nurse executive interest group to meet other executives for support and for sharing ideas of expertise.
ANS: D Networking is the result of identifying, valuing, and maintaining relationships with a system of individuals who are sources of information, advice, and support. Many nurses have relatively limited networks within the organizations where they are employed. Active participation in nursing organizations is the most effective method of establishing a professional network outside one's place of employment. Successful networking involves sharing similar ideas and maintaining relationships within a system of individuals who serve as sources of information, advice, and support.
9. A nurse manager working for a not-for-profit organization should be familiar with the regulations that impact the organization. Not-for-profit organizations: a. pay dividends to stockholders. b. can refuse clients who are unable to pay. c. have no paid employees. d. pay no taxes.
ANS: D Not-for-profit organizations, often referred to as voluntary organizations, are controlled by voluntary boards and provide services to both paying and charity clients. Funds are redirected toward maintenance and growth as opposed to profit shares for stockholders. Historically, non-profit organizations have been exempt from paying taxes as they commit to providing an important community service.
10. A nurse is participating in a baccalaureate course. For the class, she has to attend the legislative session regarding the new role of medication assistants. Why is it important for nurses to be involved in shaping public policy? a. Involvement will enable nurses to take over the healthcare system at some point in the future. b. Other healthcare professions are less concerned about the essential needs of clients. c. Such activities are important career builders for nurses who seek top-level executive positions. d. They are closest to the front line of health care and see how it affects clients and families.
ANS: D Nurses can no longer be passive observers of the political world. Political involvement is a professional responsibility. Nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership.
15. 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. lack of engagement by administration.
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. This demonstrates a lack of engagement by the administration.
22. 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.
1. Role theory has its underpinnings in management theory. Management theories influence managers' leadership styles. Which of the following styles would a nurse manager be most likely to follow when redesigning the staffing schedule? a. Humanistic b. Authoritarian c. Flexibility d. Participative
ANS: D Participative style of leadership allows for the input by the participants involved to have input to the decision process. This assists in making change easier and is one way a manager uses this leadership to lead the unit
24. A statement such as "We believe in the right of patients to make choices and to have care that is sensitive to their preferences and needs" is a _____ statement. a. mission b. goal c. vision d. philosophy
ANS: D Philosophy statements capture significant beliefs and values of the organization.
3. A nurse belongs to several professional organizations, serving on a state-level committee of one group and on two task forces at work. The nurse is committed to a range of health issues and knows the state senator from the nurse's district, as well as the name of the representative in Washington, DC. This nurse exemplifies which level of political activism in nursing? a. Gladiator b. Buy-in c. Self-interest d. Political astuteness
ANS: D Political involvement is a professional responsibility and nurses' perspectives of the critical issues for improving the healthcare system can shape the policy agenda of the nation's political leadership. This nurse exemplifies several of the skills associated with political astuteness.
13. You are the nurse manager for a not-for-profit health service for the homeless and for drug users in an impoverished neighborhood. As the manager, your concern about sustainability is related to: a. the possibility of violence. b. an increase in prescription drugs available for abuse. c. decisions of the public board. d. an increase in uncompensated care events.
ANS: D Public and nonprofit hospitals are tax exempt and have a concomitant responsibility to provide mandated community service such as delivering care to the poor and indigent. To keep a nonprofit status, facilities must make a good-faith effort to provide community service and charity care. Nonprofit organizations located in impoverished urban and rural areas are often economically disadvantaged by the amount of uncompensated care that they provide.
16. 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.
21. What is the best example of skilled negotiation? a. Linda, the manager on pediatrics, takes a proposal to her supervisor, outlining the benefits of a walk-in preoperative area for children. b. Kim, RN, asks for leave to pursue a semester of full-time study in her graduate program. She proposes to accept less popular rotations during peak vacation time, in return. c. George, the head nurse in ER, asks for additional staff for his department and points out the benefits of being able to keep patients for longer periods. d. Jerry speaks with his supervisor about his supervisor's concerns related to bedside reporting before presenting a proposal to change this process.
ANS: D Successful negotiators are well informed about not only their own positions but also those of the opposing side. Negotiators must be able to discuss the pros and cons of both positions. They can assist the other party in recognizing the costs versus the benefits of each position.
14. 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.
13. What would be the most appropriate mission statement for a nursing center? a. "At Plentyville, we provide rehabilitative services for addicted adolescents." b. "Georgiatown provides treatment and prevention services for county residents." c. "At Heart, our aim is to provide services that lead the nation in health education and research." d. "At Coeur, we strive to achieve optimal pain management with patients who are experiencing chronic pain."
ANS: D The mission statements of nursing centers are oriented toward achieving optimal health status for a defined group of patients or consumers rather than being treatment or maintenance or social-support oriented.
15. Lucy, head nurse on the surgical unit, works with her staff to find ways in which they can work together with other disciplines to provide more effective care for patients on the unit. Lucy likely knows her power is: a. limited, thereby necessitating involvement of others in implementing ideas. b. restricted, which necessitates finding alternative means to achieve strong patient outcomes. c. directed primarily toward those who are subordinate to her. d. of unlimited capacity when shared with others.
ANS: D Those like Lucy, who share power, tend to be the strong collaborators and see power as an unlimited quantity when shared. Empowered nurses make professional practice possible, creating a culture that satisfies all nurses.
23. As a nurse manager, you have been asked to be part of a design team for health services that have vertical integration. In planning for these services, your team will design a proposal that will: a. cluster like services together, such as outpatient clinics for the care of children with various developmental and medical needs. b. plan for the smooth transition of patients from the emergency services department to other units in the hospital. c. ensure that funding follows the patient from acute care to long-term care services. d. bring together acute care, ambulatory, home care, and palliative care services for the management of patients diagnosed with cancer.
ANS: D When organizations align to provide a full array or continuum of services, the arrangement is referred to as vertical integration. Benefits attributed to vertical integration include enhanced coordination of services, efficiency, and customer services.
