Nursing Elites

1. Politics is a means for influencing events and the decisions of others. The nurse manager who consistently reminds the staff that 'there is no I in team' and periodically brings treats for the staff is using:

• A. Image enhancement
• B. Political skills
• C. Reward power
• D. Expert power

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Political skills. Politics involve interpersonal endeavors, collective activities, analysis, planning, and managing image. In this scenario, the nurse manager is skillfully building team morale and influencing staff dynamics by emphasizing teamwork ('there is no I in team') and boosting morale through occasional treats. This demonstrates the use of political skills to influence and manage relationships within the team. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the manager's actions are not solely focused on image enhancement, reward power, or expert power. Instead, they are aimed at fostering teamwork and boosting staff morale.

2. During a physical assessment of adult clients, which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

• A. Use the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) pain rating scale for a client experiencing pain.
• B. Palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds.
• C. Ensure the bladder of the blood pressure cuff surrounds 80% of the client's arm.
• D. Obtain an apical heart rate by auscultating at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When performing a physical assessment, it is essential to palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds. This sequence helps prevent altering bowel sound results due to the pressure applied during palpation. Choice A is incorrect because the FLACC pain rating scale is typically used for nonverbal or pediatric clients, not adults. Choice C is incorrect because the bladder of the blood pressure cuff should surround about 80% of the client's arm circumference, not the bladder of the cuff itself. Choice D is incorrect because to obtain an apical heart rate, auscultation should be done at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line, not at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

3. The staff nurse is experiencing what type of conflict when the babysitter calls to cancel on the day of an important committee meeting?

• A. Intergroup conflict
• B. Perceived conflict
• C. Role conflict
• D. Structural conflict

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Role conflict. Role conflict arises when one has conflicting responsibilities or obligations, such as being scheduled to work while also needing to care for children. In this scenario, the staff nurse faces a conflict between their role as a parent needing childcare and their role as a professional scheduled to present at a committee meeting. Intergroup conflict (A) involves disputes between different groups, not conflicting roles within an individual. Structural conflict (D) stems from issues within the organizational structure, not conflicting responsibilities. Perceived conflict (B) refers to misunderstandings or misinterpretations between parties, not conflicting roles.

4. The staff of a medical-surgical unit is in disagreement about holiday scheduling. The nurse manager knows that this is what type of conflict?

• A. Intragroup conflict
• B. Intergroup conflict
• C. Interpersonal conflict
• D. Intrapersonal conflict

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Intragroup conflict. Intragroup conflict occurs within one group, in this case, the staff of the medical-surgical unit. Intergroup conflict, on the other hand, happens between two or more groups. Interpersonal conflict involves conflicts between two or more individuals, and intrapersonal conflict is conflict within one individual. Since the disagreement about holiday scheduling involves members within the same group (staff of the medical-surgical unit), it is an example of intragroup conflict. Therefore, the nurse manager would recognize this as an intragroup conflict rather than any of the other types mentioned.

5. Which of the following is a skill emotionally intelligent leaders must develop?

• A. Encourage constructive criticism.
• B. Work to complete all assigned tasks on his or her own.
• C. Minimize one�s own emotions, instead of seeking to understand the emotions of others.
• D. Encourage others to work efficiently and independently.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encourage constructive criticism.

Similar Questions