Deck 10: Power and Conflict

Question 1

Nurses derive much of their core power from being:

A) authority figures in emergent situations.
B) highly respected and trusted by the public.
C) organized through public associations.
D) the care coordinator of the health care team.

Answer 1

highly respected and trusted by the public.

Question 2

A staff nurse frequently is providing positive comments to get the manager in a good mood before asking about additional vacation time. This influence tactic is known as:

A) consultation.
B) ingratiation.
C) inspiration appeals.
D) rational persuasion.

Answer 2

ingratiation.

Question 3

The transferring of authority, responsibility, and freedom to act and the inspiring of self-confidence is known as:

A) actualization.
B) authorization.
C) empowerment.
D) ratification.

Answer 3

empowerment.

Question 4

Subunit or _____ power refers to relationships across departments.

A) vertical
B) organizational
C) horizontal
D) exertional

Question 5

A common source of conflict in nursing occurs when nurses are expected to perform the work of other employees or disciplines in addition to their nursing care. This type of conflict is related to:

A) power division.
B) resource allocation.
C) role overload.
D) personal behavior.

Question 6

_____ mode is a conflict management strategy that produces feelings of gain and no feelings of loss for all participants.

A) Creative problem-solving
B) Defensive
C) Offensive
D) Compromise

Question 7

A nursing manager is leading a recruitment and retention committee. She manages in a laissez-faire style. Her co-leader is a staff nurse who is very detail oriented. The nurse manager usually leads the meetings. During the meeting, the staff nurse frequently needs to interject information that has not been presented. She also creates the agenda and communicates information with other team members. This scenario depicts which type of conflict?

A) Competitive
B) Disruptive
C) Organizational
D) Task

Question 8

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) produced a report making recommendations for the future of nursing. What were the recommendations (select all that apply)?

A) Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
B) Nurses should maintain their current levels of education.
C) Nurses should partner with physicians and other health care professionals in maintaining the status quo in health care.
D) An improved education system should promote seamless academic progression.
E) Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and information infrastructure.

Question 9

Management offers a day of pampering at a spa if nurses agree to work 3 out of 4 weekends over the summer. This type of power is known as:

A) coercive.
B) expert.
C) legitimate.
D) reward.

Question 10

A well-known talk show host presents information to a congressional committee to garner support for cancer research. This type of power refers to _____ power.

A) coercive
B) expert
C) legitimate
D) referent

Question 11

Empowerment for nurses may consist of three components. Which of the following three components may help nurses become empowered to use their power for better patient care (select three that apply)?

A) A psychological belief in one's own ability to be empowered
B) A social relationship between two or more people
C) A workplace that promotes empowerment
D) An acknowledgement that there is power in the relationships and caring that nurses provide
E) Interdependence of personnel

Question 12

What are the two major content dimensions of power (select all that apply)?

A) Influence
B) Integrity
C) Authority
D) Dominance
E) Control

Question 13

Subunit power is derived from:

A) being independent within the organization.
B) providing resources on which the organization most depends.
C) supplying multiple cross-trainable functions within the organization.
D) voicing unique opinions and values within the organization.

Question 14

The nursing supervisor informs the staff that if they refuse to stay on the nursing unit and work an additional 8-hour shift, they will be reported to the state for patient abandonment. This type of power is known as:

A) coercive.
B) expert.
C) legitimate.
D) reward.

Question 15

A nurse on a medical-surgical floor has been asked to join a research committee. She agrees to this request because of her great admiration for the vice-president of nursing. This is an example of _____ dimension of power.

A) dependence
B) relational
C) subversive
D) tactical

Question 16

A hospital administrator is involved in contract negotiations with the nursing union leaders. To resolve issues:

A) nurses should be assertive to make certain that their view predominates.
B) both sides should strive to meet the interests of both parties.
C) the negotiator should use independent problem-solving skills.
D) the budget should dictate the conditions of the negotiation.

Question 17

Which of the following are the formal dimensions of power (select all that apply)?

A) Social aspect
B) Relational aspect
C) Dependence aspect
D) Independent aspect
E) Sanctioning aspect

Question 18

A disagreement or differences between the members of two or more groups over authority, territory, and resources is called _____ conflict.

A) intragroup
B) intergroup
C) interpersonal
D) intrapersonal

Question 19

The motivational approach of empowerment is different from the relational approach of empowerment in that it includes more:

A) autonomy in each strategic step.
B) delegation of managerial duties and tasks.
C) emphasis on open communication and goal setting.
D) laissez-faire methods and strategies of persuasion.

Question 20

_____ is an influence tactic where another person is given praise or sympathy in an effort to make the other person feel important.

A) Assertiveness
B) Ingratiation
C) Rationality
D) Upward appeal

Question 21

Which of the following statements describe structural determinants of power within an organization (select all that apply)?

A) Power is derived from independence.
B) Power is derived from providing resources.
C) Power is derived from certainty.
D) Power is derived from being irreplaceable.
E) Power is derived from the ability to affect the decision process.

Question 22

Which of the following statements accurately describe the varying mechanisms of power (select all that apply)?

A) Connection power is based on the perception that the influencer has access to powerful people or groups.
B) Legitimate power is based on fear.
C) Expert power results from expertise, special skill, or knowledge.
D) Information power refers to skill in making rational appeals.
E) Referent power is based on admiration for a person.

Question 23

Organizational change is associated with both direct and indirect costs for which leaders must be prepared. Which of the following are examples of indirect costs associated with conflict (select all that apply)?

A) Loss of team morale
B) Loss of reputation of an organization or its professionals
C) Disability or stress claims
D) Decreased management productivity related to time spent resolving conflict
E) Loss of motivation for organizational change

Question 24

The main effects of conflict are individual effects, interpersonal relationships, and organizational effects. What are some of the positive effects of conflict within an organization (select all that apply)?

A) Absenteeism
B) Team cohesiveness
C) Disrupted communication
D) Stimulation of creativity and innovation
E) Improved quality of decisions

Question 25

Which of the following are factors that influence the way conflict is handled within an organization (select all that apply)?

A) Behavioral predispositions of individuals
B) Bureaucratic hierarchy
C) Social pressure in the environment
D) Rules and procedures
E) Position power

Question 26

Negotiation is a form of conflict resolution. Which of the following terms are associated with negotiation (select all that apply)?

A) Bargaining power
B) Distributive bargaining
C) Integrative bargaining
D) Mediation
E) Collective bargaining