Nurse Executive Advanced Flashcards

A nurse executive is evaluating two competing strategic initiatives. Which decision-making tool best prioritizes initiatives based on impact and feasibility?

Answer: Impact-effort matrix

An impact-effort matrix plots initiatives on two axes to visually identify quick wins versus resource-heavy projects, helping leaders prioritize strategically.

Under HIPAA's minimum necessary standard, a nurse executive should instruct staff to:

Answer: Access only the patient information needed to perform their specific job function

The minimum necessary standard requires staff to use, disclose, or request only the amount of PHI necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.

A nurse executive is applying Kotter's 8-Step Change Model. After establishing a sense of urgency, what is the NEXT step?

Answer: Creating a guiding coalition of influential stakeholders

Kotter's model prescribes forming a powerful guiding coalition as Step 2, immediately after urgency is established, to provide the leadership needed to drive change.

A hospital is implementing a rapid response team (RRT). Which outcome measure best evaluates the RRT's effectiveness?

Answer: Reduction in non-ICU cardiac arrest rates

Reduction in non-ICU cardiac arrests is the primary effectiveness metric for RRTs, as the team's purpose is to identify and intervene in deteriorating patients before arrest occurs.

A CNO is negotiating a nursing contract with a union. Which behavior is considered an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act?

Answer: Bypassing the union and directly polling nurses on contract terms

Bypassing the union to deal directly with employees on mandatory subjects of bargaining is an unfair labor practice that undermines the union's representative authority.

A nurse executive is reviewing quality data and finds that surgical site infection rates are statistically higher than the national benchmark. Which is the appropriate first-line quality improvement methodology?

Answer: Six Sigma DMAIC process

Six Sigma's DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is designed to reduce defect rates and variation, making it ideal for addressing a metric that consistently deviates from benchmark.

Which element of emotional intelligence is MOST critical for a nurse executive managing conflict between two department heads?

Answer: Social awareness including empathy for both parties' perspectives

Social awareness—particularly empathy—allows the nurse executive to understand and validate both parties' positions, which is foundational to mediating interpersonal conflict effectively.