The director of two nursing units is off on medical leave. The morale on these units has decreased over the past
year. During the director’s absence the chief nurse officer (CNO) notices a marked increase in the staff’s morale.
This causes the CNO to be concerned about which factor on these two units?
1. Lack of appropriate staffing when the manager is present
2. Recognition of the nurse’s performance may be lacking
3. A lack of authentic leadership
4. The manager may have unrealistic attitudes about staff work levels.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Lack of appropriate staffing is not the overriding concern.
Rationale 2: While this may be a part of the problem, it is not the major concern.
Rationale 3: Authentic leadership is required for a healthy work environment. Since the morale on these units has
increased in the director’s absence, the CNO would be concerned about the manager’s leadership style.
Rationale 4: This is not the primary concern.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 20-5: Discuss what organizations can do to improve retention of nurses.
Question 24
Type: MCSA
A newly hired nurse has incurred two absences within two pay periods. The nurse manager has scheduled a
meeting with the nurse. What other action should the manager plan in addressing this issue?
1. Have a person from human resources (HR) present when confronting the nurse.
2. Discuss the absenteeism with the nurse and then forget the issue.
3. Discuss the issue of absenteeism and other nurses who have had similar experiences when first hired.
4. Document the absences, review the attendance policy with the nurse, and provide a copy of the policy.
Rationale 1: It is not necessary to have HR present at this meeting since this is the nurse’s first occurrence with
absenteeism.
Rationale 2: The absenteeism needs to be addressed and monitored in the future to determine the nurse’s
progress.
Rationale 3: It is not appropriate to discuss the absence experiences of other nurses.
Rationale 4: The manger should document the absences so they can be monitored and discussed. The manager
should discuss and present the attendance policy to clarify possible misconceptions by the nurse and to be clear
about the consequences of future issues relating to absenteeism.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning
Learning Outcome: 20-2: Discuss ways to manage absenteeism.
Question 25
Type: MCSA
A nursing unit is extremely short staffed. The manager calls a nurse who is on Family and Medical leave (FMLA)
to ask the nurse to return to work 2 days prior to schedule. When the nurse declines, the manager becomes
insistent. What should be the nurse’s first action?
1. Contact a lawyer.
2. Agree to return 2 days early.
3. Contact the human resources director.
4. Contact nursing administration.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 20-2: Discuss ways to manage absenteeism.
Question 26
Type: MCMA
Which personal characteristics would increase a nurse’s potential for voluntary turnover?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. The nurse holds an associate’s degree in nursing.
2. The nurse walks to work each day.
3. Through task force meetings, the nurse has become friends with several nurses who work in different
organizations in town.
4. The nurse has few personal ties to the city of current employment.
5. The nurse has worked at several job-fairs in the area as a hospital representative.
Sullivan, Effective Leadership and Management, 8/e Test Bank
Copyright 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 20-4: Explain voluntary turnover.
Question 27
Type: MCSA
A valued longtime nursing employee says to the manager, “I’m so tired of all the politics on this unit. I’m thinking
about retiring.” What should be the manger’s response?
1. “I’ve just got 3 more years and I can retire. I can’t wait.”
2. “I know, but I can’t do anything to change the situation.”
3. “I’d hate to lose you, but have you thought about transferring to a different unit?”
4. “Will you stay if I can get you a raise?”
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 20-4: Explain voluntary turnover.
Question 28
Type: MCMA
The nurse manager charged with hiring staff for a new nursing unit explains the unit’s rigid structure and
scheduling policies to all potential applicants. The manager is most likely to lose the interest of applicants of
which generations?
Sullivan, Effective Leadership and Management, 8/e Test Bank
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Traditionals
2. Baby boomers
3. Generation X
4. Generation Y
5. Nurses in general do not like structure and rigidity in scheduling.
4. Supervision
Rationale 1: The nurse with an advanced degree has greater job opportunity and is more mobile.
Rationale 2: This may be the case, but should not be a problem.
Rationale 3: Scheduling around several nurses who have school schedules can be difficult.
Rationale 4: There is a chance that nurses may resign in order to attend school on a full-time basis.
Rationale 5: While salaries are higher for nurses with advanced degrees, the manager should know well in
advance that a staff member is in school and should have opportunity to budget for those salaries.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning
Learning Outcome: 20-6: Discuss what managers can do to help retain nurses.
Sullivan, Effective Leadership and Management, 8/e Test Bank
Copyright 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc.