Nursing Elites

1. One way to determine staffing needs is to classify clients according to nursing care required. Another name for this is a(n) __________.

• A. self-scheduling
• B. supplementing staff system
• C. patient classification system (PCS)
• D. acuity system

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: acuity system. An acuity system involves classifying clients based on the nursing care they require to determine staffing needs accurately. Choice A, self-scheduling, is not related to classifying clients based on care needs. Choice B, supplementing staff system, does not specifically refer to the classification of clients. Choice C, patient classification system (PCS), is close but not as commonly used as 'acuity system' in healthcare settings to determine staffing needs.

2. A nurse has a seriously ill parent and must take care of the parent at home. Which of the following would NOT be a suitable solution to this problem? (EXCEPT)

• A. Resignation
• B. FMLA
• C. Termination
• D. LOA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a seriously ill family member, securing the employee's job status. Termination and resignation involve ending employment, which is not a suitable solution as it does not provide job security. LOA (Leave of Absence) is often unpaid and does not guarantee job protection, making it less suitable than FMLA in this scenario.

3. A nurse manager is considering the variances of the budget. Fewer monies were spent than expected. What type of variance is this?

• A. Unfavorable variance
• B. Favorable variance
• C. Dependent variance
• D. Independent variance

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, favorable variance. When fewer funds are spent than expected, it indicates efficient budget management, making it a favorable outcome. Choice A, unfavorable variance, is incorrect as it would apply if more money than expected was spent. Choices C and D, dependent variance and independent variance, are unrelated terms in the context of budget variances and do not apply to the situation described.

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. A nurse manager needs to resolve a conflict between the staff nurses and the physical therapy department. What type of power might the manager utilize? (EXCEPT)

• A. Connection and referent power
• B. Reward and punishment power
• C. Legitimate power
• D. Information power

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse manager may utilize various types of power to resolve the conflict between the staff nurses and the physical therapy department. Referent power and connection power are based on respect/admiration and influential links, respectively. Information power is about access to valuable data. Reward power involves offering inducements for cooperation, while punishment power is about imposing penalties for non-compliance. Legitimate power, however, is derived from the manager's authority associated with their job and rank. Since the question asks for the type of power the manager might utilize 'EXCEPT,' legitimate power, being a key type of power often used in managerial roles, is the correct answer. It's important for the nurse manager to understand the dynamics of power and utilize the appropriate types to effectively address interdepartmental conflicts.

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