Leadership Final Exam
The difference between a nurse practitioner's charge of $45 for an office visit and the insurance company's payment of $34 is: a. A contractual allowance. b. A profit. c. A flat rate. d. Revenue.
A. a contractual allowance
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.
A, B, C
Nurses entering into the workforce today are faced with which of the following relationships that could create organizational conflict? (Select all that apply.) a. Nurse-physician relationship b. Nurse-nurse relationship c. Nurse-patient relationship d. Nurse-chief nursing officer relationship e. Nurse-auxiliary personnel relationships
A, B, C, D, E
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.
A, B, D, E
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
A. Assessment/Data collection
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.
A. Differences in the managers' expectations of their role
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.
A. Grounded in business theory
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.
A. Identify the root causes of problems
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.
A. Involve the rehab staff in the decision
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.
A. Quality decision making related to management of resources and patient care
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.
A. The task and the outcome are relatively simple and defined
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.
A. Through research and investigation of best practice and practice-based evidence, she proposed a change in the management of incontinence in elderly patients
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.
A. Uses various models to guide the process based on circumstances of the situation
Because of the complexity of reimbursement systems and its implications for the services available to patients, the nurse has a key role in: a. Advocacy for patients with regard to services required and services utilized. b. Increasing the volume of services and decreasing the number of patients served. c. Accomplishing more with each visit and decreasing the volume of services used. d. Decreasing the volume of services used and the number of return visits.
A. advocacy for patients with regard to services required and services utilized
A nurse educator is giving a workshop on conflict. During the sessions, he makes various statements regarding conflict. All of the statements are true except: a. Conflict can decrease creativity, thus acting as a deterrent for the development of new ideas. b. Horizontal violence involves those with similar status but little power in the larger context. c. Interprofessional collaboration reduces unresolved conflicts. d. All conflicts involve some level of disagreement.
A. conflict can decrease creativity, thus acting as a deterrent for the development of new ideas
After a major flu vaccination campaign, an agency bills a private insurance company for allowable costs for administration of each vaccination according to the schedule established by the insurance company for reimbursement. This is an example of which major payment method? a. Cost-based reimbursement b. Charges c. Contractual allowance d. Prospective reimbursement
A. cost-based reimbursement
Staff at Valley Hospital are concerned that recent staffing cuts will affect their ability to provide quality patient care, and they express their concerns to senior management. The CEO of Valley Hospital makes the following statement: "We need to contain costs because our funding has been decreased." This is a good example of which of the following conditions that propel a situation toward conflict? a. Incompatible goals b. Role conflicts c. Structural conflict d. Competition for resources
A. incompatible goals
Sarah, a staff nurse on your unit, witnesses another nurse striking a patient. Sarah wants to remain friends with her colleague and worries that confrontation with her colleague or reporting her colleague will destroy their relationship. Sarah is experiencing which type of conflict? a. Intrapersonal b. Interpersonal c. Organizational d. Professional
A. intrapersonal
After using a mediator to resolve a conflict between the nurse manager and two staff nurses, the chief nursing officer decides to: a. Observe to make sure the conflict has been resolved. b. Fire both staff nurses. c. Reassign both staff nurses. d. Reassign the nurse manager.
A. observe to make sure the conflict has been resolved
An example of an initiative that may reduce total healthcare costs would be: a. Offering nurse practitioner-led clinics that educate parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for managing ear infections. b. Educating seniors about the comparative costs of medications that are prescribed to them. c. Lowering copayments for prescription drugs for seniors. d. Advocating for more readily available MRI services to ensure early diagnosis.
A. offering nurse practicioner-led clinics that educate parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for managing ear infections
Physicians in a small urban hospital are reluctant to discharge older adult patients because many of the patients lack private insurance and the resources to travel distances for follow-up care. The hospital administration pressures the physicians to discharge patients sooner and to be more consistent with the number of hospitalization days specified within the DRGs. Which of the following would most likely prompt the action of administrators? a. The hospital is incurring a deficit related to a gap between the PPS and the DRGs and costs of care. b. Local home care services are expressing concern about the increased acuity of patients being discharged into their care. c. The resource-based relative scale for physicians does not account for the increased length of stay. d. Acute care patients are being denied entry to the hospital because of the increased stay of patients.
A. the hospital is incurring a deficit related to a gap between the PPS and the DRGs and costs of care
The nurse manager is aware that conflict is occurring on her unit; however, she is focused on preparing for a state health department visit, so she ignores the problem. A factor that can increase stress and escalate conflict is: a. The use of avoidance. b. An enhanced nursing workforce. c. Accepting that some conflict is normal. d. Managing the effects of fatigue and error.
A. the use of avoidance
Of the following, which is the most effective strategy that a nurse manager could employ to reduce unnecessary costs in specific healthcare settings? a. Training nurses on accurate documentation of supplies used for patient care b. Reducing the number of overtime hours worked by staff c. Reducing the number of staff on a unit d. Making decisions for patients about which care is important to their health
A. training nurses on accurate documentation of supplies used for patient care
During the budgeting process, nurse managers are typically responsible for which of the following? (Select all that apply.) a. Determining inflationary rates for the upcoming year b. Developing unit operation objectives c. Justifying capital equipment requests d. Predicting cash flow e. Negotiating budget with other managers and administration
B, C, E
A staff nurse regularly works two 12-hour shifts each week and one 8-hour shift every other week. How many FTEs is this position? a. 0.6 b. 0.7 c. 0.8 d. 1
B. 0.7
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.
B. Choose between alternatives
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.
B. Coordination of resources for effective outcomes
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.
B. Crisis situation
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.
B. Demonstrating respect for patient rights
Budgeting and protection of revenues is a function of: a. Leadership. b. Management. c. Team leadership. d. Followers.
B. Management
The chief nursing office of a Magnet hospital has conducted a study of ways to improve healthcare services. Healthcare services that add value for clients: A. Accomplish healthcare goals B. Minimize costs C. Decrease the number of services used D. use high-technology treatments
B. Minimize costs
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.
B. Models professional nursing behavior
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.
B. Shared leadership
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.
B. The policy made decisions for other departments in the company
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.
B. Unrealistic
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.
B. Use a decision-making tool to evaluate brands
The chief nursing office continues to seek ways to improve healthcare services to clients and to save the hospital money. However, with the federal guidelines of paying agencies based on capitation, the chief nursing office faces a challenge. Capitation provides incentives for healthcare providers to control costs by: a. Providing fewer services to fewer clients. b. Using fewer services per client. c. Using high-technology treatments. d. Requiring second opinions.
B. Using fewer services per client
Within a healthcare environment, where the gap between revenues and costs can mean the difference between sustainability of an organization and nonsustainability of an organization or services, it is critical for nurse managers to: a. Maintain a clear vision of how to trim healthcare costs. b. Balance value-added services against costs and revenues. c. Consistently delete programs that are of high cost. d. Implement programs that bring in additional revenues.
B. balance value-added services against costs and revenues
John is a circulating nurse in the operating room. He is usually assigned to general surgery, but on this day he is assigned to the orthopedic room. He is unfamiliar with the routines and studies the doctor's preference cards before each patient. The fourth patient comes into the room and John prepares a site for a biopsy using a Betadine solution. The surgeon prefers another solution. He notices what John has done and immediately corrects him by rudely insulting John. Which of the following is the most appropriate approach to conflict resolution in this example? a. Collaboration b. Compromising c. Avoiding d. Withdraw
B. compromising
Two nurses on a psychiatric unit come from different backgrounds and have graduated from different universities. They are given a set of new orders from the unit manager. Each nurse displays different emotions in response to the orders. Nurse A indicates that the new orders include too many changes; Nurse B disagrees and verbally indicates why. This step in the process is which of the following in Thomas' Stages of Conflict? a. Frustration b. Conceptualization c. Action d. Outcomes
B. conceptualization
A nurse manager is planning to request three new infusion pumps at a cost of approximately $1500 each. What would BEST support the capital request? a. Number of patient care hours anticipated for the year b. Cost comparisons; how much and how often infusion pumps are used; condition of existing pumps c. Outline of cost for each pump d. Estimation of total cost; no further details
B. cost comparisons; how much and how often infusion pumps are used; condition of existing pumps
The chief nursing officer plans a series of staff development workshops for the nurse managers to help them deal with conflicts. The first workshop introduces the four stages of conflict, which are: a. Frustration, competition, negotiation, and action. b. Frustration, conceptualization, action, and outcomes. c. Frustration, cooperation, collaboration, and action outcomes. d. Frustration, conceptualization, negotiation, and action outcomes.
B. frustration, conceptualization, action and outcomes
After reviewing her monthly budget report, the nurse manager sees that she has a negative variance, which prompts her to change the staffing schedule. A negative or unfavorable variance in a monthly expense report may result from: a. Overestimation of inflation. b. Higher than expected client acuity. c. Net revenue exceeding net expenses. d. Not replacing staff who called in sick.
B. higher than expected client acuity
Two staff nurses are arguing about whose turn it is to work on the upcoming holiday. In trying to resolve this conflict, the nurse manager understands that interpersonal conflict arises when: a. Risk taking seems to be unavoidable. b. People see events differently. c. Personal and professional priorities do not match. d. The ways in which people should act do not match the ways in which they do act.
B. people see events differently
A group of staff nurses is dissatisfied with the new ideas presented by the newly hired nurse manager. The staff wants to keep their old procedures, and they resist the changes. Conflict arises from: a. Group decision-making options. b. Perceptions of incompatibility. c. Increases in group cohesiveness. d. Debates, negotiations, and compromises.
B. perceptions of incompatibility
In a nurse managers' meeting, the chief nursing officer encourages the managers to brainstorm ways to reduce costs. Nurse managers have the greatest impact on reducing costs by managing: a. Supplies. b. Staffing. c. Fixed costs. d. Medication costs.
B. staffing
As an experienced nurse manager who is new to an organization, it would be important to: a. Know the difference between operating and capital budgets. b. Understand the budget timetable and level of involvement expected of individual managers in budget preparation. c. Know why a budget is essential to the well-being of an organization. d. Understand what factors drive up healthcare costs in the healthcare system.
B. understand the budget timetable and level of involvement expected of individual managers in budget preparation
In preparing a budget, the nurse manager needs to anticipate the cost of benefits (e.g., health, life insurance, pension and retirement plans). Based on the usual cost of benefits, how much should a nurse manager include for a total full-time salary cost of $312,000? a. $78,000-$93,600 b. $62,400-$78,000 c. $46,800-$93,600 d. $31,200-$46,800
C. $46,800-$93,600
In preparing her budget, a nurse manager determines that she needs to budget for six FTE RN positions in the upcoming year. The nurse manager determines that RN 1 has 5 weeks of vacation and 3 days of education, and has averaged 3 sick days a year. RN 2 has 6 weeks of vacation, has asked to attend a 3-day conference and a 2-day workshop, and has no history of sick time. RN 3 is new, and you anticipate 3 weeks of orientation, as well as 4 weeks of vacation. RN 4 has 6 weeks of vacation and has an ongoing health condition, so you anticipate 2 weeks of sick time, as well as 3 days for education. RN 5 has 5 weeks of vacation, has no education planned, and averages 5 sick days per year. RN 6 has 6 weeks of vacation, has no educational opportunities planned, and has been off ill for 4 weeks. How many hours of productive paid time can be anticipated for the budget? a. 12,480 b. 11,200 c. 10,848 d. 10,688
C. 10,848
In preparing her budget, a nurse manager determines that she needs to budget for six FTE RN positions in the upcoming year. Based on a 40-hour week, this means that the nurse manager has determined that the budget will provide for _____ hours. a. 12,480 productive b. 10,820 productive c. 12,480 paid d. 10,800 patient care
C. 12,480 paid
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.
C. Accurate identification of the problem
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.
C. Decision making is a goal-directed effort; problem solving is focused on solving an immediate problems
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.
C. Determining accurately the direction of change in the institution
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
C. Emergency Department staff
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.
C. Focus all energies of staff members on a best possible strategy
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.
C. Generate as many solutions as possible
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.
C. Group size is neither too small nor too large
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.
C. High-level cognitive process that includes creativity, problem solving, and decision making
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
C. Optimizing model
Mrs. Hill, aged 68, was hospitalized after a stroke. The speech therapist recommended that oral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia. During visiting hours, Mr. Hill fed his wife some noodles. The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr. Hill from feeding his wife, telling him it was the doctor's decision. An hour later, the nurse returned and found Mr. Hill feeding his wife again. The nurse tried to stop him again. Mr. Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse. The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs. Hill's chart. According to Thomas' Four Stages of Conflict, in which stage could the nurse have been more effective? a. Frustration b. Conceptualizing c. Action d. Outcomes
C. action
Lee, the head nurse in ER, has attempted to meet Jillian, one of her staff RNs, for several days to discuss concerns about Jillian's relationships with her team members. Lee hopes to offer Jillian coaching so that Jillian's relationships can be more satisfying for Jillian and her team members. Each time Lee and Jillian set a time to meet, Jillian phones in sick. In this situation, Lee and Jillian are demonstrating: a. Similar conflict management strategies. b. Escalation of conflict. c. Avoidance and compromise strategies. d. Competing and compromise strategies.
C. avoidance and compromise strategies
A nursing instructor is teaching a class on conflict and conflict resolution. She relates to the class that conflict in an organization is important, and that an optimal level of conflict will generate: a. Creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers. b. Creativity, a staid atmosphere, a weak team spirit, and motivation of its workers. c. Creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers. d. A bureaucratic atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers.
C. creativity, a problem-solving atmosphere, a strong team spirit, and motivation for its workers
A nurse manager discovers that the actual number of visits per patient in a home health service is 3.8 visits per day when the standard is 5 visits per day. Based on this information, the nurse manager: a. Concludes that the complexity of care in each visit has arisen. b. Concludes that patient volume has been decreased. c. Decides that more information is needed before a conclusion can be reached. d. Initiates a training session regarding the importance of ensuring that visits are made.
C. decides that more information is needed before conclusion can be reached
An older adult couple with limited means and on Medicare is considering options after the hospitalization of Mrs. A. with a fractured hip. Mrs. A. is stable but requires assistance with bathing, transfer, and mobility, and this will present stress for Mr. A., who was hospitalized with a mild myocardial infarction last year. Considering their means and health concerns, which of the following might be the best option? a. Hospice care b. Custodial nursing home care c. Home care d. Hospital care
C. home care
Jane has transferred from the ICU to the CCU. She is very set in the way she makes assignments and encourages her new peers to adopt this method without sharing the rationale for why it is better. This is a good example of a process and procedure that creates which type of conflict? a. Organizational b. Intrapersonal c. Interpersonal d. Disruptive
C. interpersonal
Kala, a unit manager, in discussing a role the CEO would like her to perform, makes the following statement, "I will sit on the hospital taskforce on improving morale if you send me to the hospital's leadership training classes next week, so I can further develop my skills and thus be more effective." Which of the following conflict management styles is Kala using? a. Collaborating b. Avoiding c. Negotiating d. Accommodating
C. negotiating
A nurse manager approves two staff nurses to attend a national conference. When reviewing the budget, the nurse manager looks at which line item? a. Cash budget b. Capital budget c. Operating budget d. Supply and expense budget
C. operating budget
Which of the following are considered variable costs? (Select all that apply.) a. Salaries for the minimum number of staff b. Utilities and rent c. Managed care d. Supplies e. Medication and treatment supplies
D, E
Which of the following exemplifies the predominant conflict management style of nurse managers? a. Elizabeth, the head nurse on neurology, finds that Tom, the RN nurse on nights, is irritable in relation to any suggestions or new ideas, and so she comes in to work after Tom leaves the unit. b. The technology committee has recommended a clinical system for implementation on the nursing unit. Staff is anxious about the change. Tim, the head nurse, asks staff for ideas on how to meet the technology goals and to meet staff needs. c. During management meetings, George, the head nurse on nephrology, dominates meetings and decisions. Lee, the head nurse on the cardiac step-down unit, begins to miss the management meetings. d. Ann, RN, asks her head nurse if she can go on the permanent evening shift. The head nurse, Rajib, agrees, as long as Ann agrees to be involved in assisting to mentor evening staff in the use of the new clinical information system.
D. Ann, RN, asks her head nurse if she can tgo
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.
D. Assess the risk to the client and the agency before proceeding
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
D. Assumes responsibility for identifying a safety concern and concedes authority for solution to you
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).
D. Budgetary decision making at the point-of-service (POS)
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
D. Challenge and striving for excellence
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.
D. Consider all the options listed
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.
D. Do nothing
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.
D. EHRs will increase effectiveness of care by enhancing coordination and improving patient outcomes
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.
D. Encouraged equal participation among members
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.
D. Encouragement of staff utilization of technology
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.
D. Identify influential members of your nurse manager group with similar ideas and request an opportunity to meet with administration to discuss options
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.
D. Identify the problem
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
D. Incorrect problem identification
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.
D. Informative
Which of the following best exemplifies the predominant style of conflict management for staff nurses? a. Sarah and Jonas, two RNs, disagree about the best approach to assisting a family that has complex needs. They decide that they will consult with family and together will decide what is best. b. Jennifer needs to switch a shift to attend a family function. She arranges to trade with Nancy, who wants a day off next to a 3-day break. c. Lindsay asks Melody to stay late for the third day in a row. Melody refuses, stating that she has already helped out for two days by staying late for Lindsay. d. Lara asks Stacey to switch shifts with her because Lara wants to attend a concert. Stacey would prefer not to but does to enable Lara, who is new in town, to be with her friends.
D. Laura asks stacey to switch shifts
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
D. Organization of activities into manageable tasks
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.
D. Post a blank schedule, and ask staff members to fill in their times by a given date
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
D. Quantum
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.
D. Quantum leadership
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.
D. Recent changes in staffing mixes are examined to determine if the timing of changes coincides with the increase in errors
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.
D. Satisficing
Factors that influence the ease with which conflict is resolved include all except which of the following? a. Level of interdependence of the parties b. Interprofessional collaboration. c. Expression of one's own needs and ideas. d. Avoidance of the issue or concern.
D. avoidance of the issue or concern
The head nurse and a staff nurse are having a conflict over how to use and apply a new procedure for dressings in the medical/surgical unit. The staff nurse wishes to use the new procedure based on newly released nursing research. The head nurse wishes to use a protocol that has been used in the department for a number of years. The head nurse later makes comments to other staff on her unit about the credibility of the staff nurse. This behavior is associated with: a. Lateral violence. b. Horizontal violence. c. Confrontation. d. Bullying.
D. bullying
A nurse manager is planning to request three new infusion pumps at a cost of approximately $1500 each. This item would typically be included in which budget? a. Operating b. Strategic c. Unit of service d. Capital
D. capital
Jill is the head nurse on a unit in a large hospital. Two of the staff nurses are constantly arguing and blaming each other, and a resolution has not occurred in months. To solve the existing conflict, which is the most creative conflict resolution? a. Avoiding b. Competing c. Compromising d. Collaborating
D. collaborating
Sarah is a nurse manager in a surgical unit. She is concerned about a conflict between Lucy (a staff nurse) and one of the maintenance personnel. Sarah explains to Lucy that unsatisfactory resolution of the conflict is typically destructive and will result in: a. Decreased frustration between the maintenance worker and her. b. A good relationship with the maintenance department. c. Eventual resolution of the problem without further intervention. d. Decreased productivity on her part.
D. decreased productivity on her part
Mrs. Hill, aged 68, was hospitalized after a stroke. The speech therapist recommended that oral feeding be stopped because of her dysplasia. During visiting hours, Mr. Hill fed his wife some noodles. The nurse noticed this and stopped Mr. Hill from feeding his wife, telling him it was the doctor's decision. An hour later, the nurse returned and found Mr. Hill feeding his wife again. The nurse tried to stop him again. Mr. Hill refused and claimed that the clinical staff was trying to starve his wife; he also threatened to get violent with the nurse. The nurse decided to walk away and documented the event in Mrs. Hill's chart. The outcome as depicted by Thomas' conflict stages can be considered to be: a. Compromising. b. Confronting. c. Constructive. d. Destructive.
D. destructive
The primary reason for calculating productive hours paid instead of simply calculating work paid per year is that productive hours enable the manager to: a. Anticipate total costs for patient care. b. Know how much time staff will likely be unavailable because of illness. c. Determine when orientation needs to occur for new staff. d. Determine the number of hours available for patient care.
D. determine thenumber of hours available for patient care
The chief nursing officer works with her nurse managers by helping them understand how to develop and implement a budget. A nurse manager can best describe a budget as a: a. Day-to-day plan for operations. b. Unit of service. c. Statement of revenues and services. d. Financial plan.
D. financial plan
The nurse manager decides to use a mediator to help resolve the staff's conflict. A basic strategy for truly addressing this conflict is to: a. Identify the conflicting facts. b. Be determined to resolve the conflict. c. Schedule a meeting time for resolution. d. Have a clear understanding of the differences between the parties in conflict.
D. have a clear understanding of the differences between the parties and conflict
Which of the following factors is not implicated in rising healthcare costs? a. Rising expectations of consumers for cure and care b. Marketing of drugs to consumers c. Large administrative staffs to process medical billings d. Rising Medicare costs
D. rising medicare costs
In trying to achieve Magnet™ status, the chief nursing officer establishes a shared governance model to help nurses experience job satisfaction. However, some nurses who have enjoyed working with less autonomy resist this change and begin to criticize and make rude comments about managers who embrace this model, as well as colleagues who support it. The comments are largely ignored because those who are making them are well established nurses who are often vocal about their displeasure with the organization. Organizational conflict is arising from which of the following? a. Staffing practices b. Increased participation in decision making c. Allocation of resources d. Tolerance of incivility
D. tolerance of incivility
