Nursing Elites

1. The staff on a medical-surgical unit is in conflict with the occupational therapy department. What type of communication will be used to discuss the problems?

• A. Downward communication
• B. Lateral communication
• C. Distorted communication
• D. Upward communication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lateral communication. Lateral communication occurs between individuals or departments of the same hierarchical level, making it suitable for addressing conflicts between the staff on a medical-surgical unit and the occupational therapy department. Upward communication involves communication from staff to management or from lower management to middle or upper management. Downward communication is typically directive communication from an authority figure or manager to staff. Distorted communication is not a recognized type of communication and does not apply to this scenario.

2. From a unit perspective, disruptive and violent patient behavior may be distracting to patients and staff. As the nurse manager, you are concerned about: (EXCEPT)

• A. Patient and staff safety.
• B. Team tension.
• C. Fear of disappointment.
• D. Stress levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Disruptive and violent patient behavior can indeed pose challenges on a unit. Concerns as a nurse manager would revolve around patient and staff safety (Choice A) due to the risk of harm, team tension (Choice B) arising from managing such situations, and stress levels (Choice D) of both patients and staff. Fear of disappointment (Choice C) is not a typical concern in this scenario and does not directly relate to the immediate impact of disruptive and violent patient behavior.

3. Which of the following are managerial functions, according to Mintzberg? (EXCEPT)

• A. Leading and linking at the people level
• B. Communicating and controlling at the information level
• C. Deciding pay structures
• D. Doing at the action level

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Mintzberg believed that managing involves communicating and controlling at the information level, leading and linking at the people level, and doing at the action level. Choice A is correct as it aligns with Mintzberg's concept of leading and linking at the people level. Choice B is correct as it aligns with Mintzberg's concept of communicating and controlling at the information level. Choice D is correct as it aligns with Mintzberg's concept of doing at the action level. Choice C, deciding pay structures, is not a managerial function according to Mintzberg's model, making it the exception.

4. Which of the following describes the concept of ratification?

• A. Contract administration
• B. Contract passage
• C. Contract denial
• D. Contract reorganization

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Contract passage.' Ratification refers to the approval or confirmation of a contract by a simple majority of members who vote to pass it. Choice A, 'Contract administration,' does not accurately describe ratification as it focuses more on the management of contracts rather than their approval. Choice C, 'Contract denial,' is incorrect as ratification implies acceptance or approval, not denial. Choice D, 'Contract reorganization,' is also incorrect as ratification does not involve restructuring or reorganizing a contract, but rather confirming its validity.

5. One of the most important driving forces behind health care policy changes is which of the following?

• A. New technology
• B. Outsourcing of services
• C. Emerging role of nurse practitioners
• D. Ability to pay for health care

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Ability to pay for health care.' One of the primary factors influencing health care policy changes is the financial aspect, as the ability to afford healthcare services affects access, quality, and equity. While new technology, outsourcing of services, and the emerging role of nurse practitioners may also impact health care policies, the fundamental driver often revolves around individuals' and societies' financial capacity to pay for healthcare.

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