Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. After her evaluation, a staff nurse exclaims: 'I'm not sure if my manager knows much about my performance, really. He only had three specific examples to give me, two good performance examples and one to work on, and they all happened in the last month. I don't feel like he can see the whole picture.' What kind of performance appraisal rating does this statement exemplify?

• A. Recency error
• B. Leniency error
• C. Halo error
• D. Absolute judgment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The statement exemplifies a recency error. Recency error occurs when a manager assesses an employee's performance primarily based on recent events, rather than considering the entire evaluation period. In this case, the staff nurse feels that her manager focused only on recent examples, leading to an incomplete assessment of her overall performance. Choice B, Leniency error, refers to a rater consistently giving high ratings to all employees regardless of performance, which is not evident in this scenario. Choice C, Halo error, involves allowing one positive attribute of an individual to overshadow other characteristics during appraisal, which is not the case here. Absolute judgment, Choice D, is when a rater evaluates an employee without reference to any specific criteria, which is not reflected in the staff nurse's feedback.

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. By using ___________ in the workplace, nurses increase their professional influence.

• A. political skills
• B. reward power
• C. expert power
• D. power and politics

Correct answer: C

Rationale: By using expert power in the workplace, nurses increase their professional influence. Expert power is derived from an individual's knowledge, skills, or expertise in a particular area. This allows nurses to influence others based on their competence and credibility, rather than through political skills (choice A), reward power (choice B), or the combination of power and politics (choice D). While political skills and understanding power dynamics can be beneficial, expert power is particularly effective in enhancing a nurse's professional influence.

5. 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.

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