Author Question: A patient is found unresponsive and pulseless. The nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) ... (Read 92 times)

ssal · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is found unresponsive and pulseless. The nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and calls for help. When help arrives, the nurse should take on the role of:

a. autocratic leader.
b. democratic leader.
c. laissez-faire leader.
d. bureaucratic leader.

Question 2

Upon entering a patient's room, the nurse notes that the patient is unresponsive. The nurse takes control and begins to direct other members of the health care team during this crisis. This style of leadership is:

a. autocratic.
b. democratic.
c. laissez-faire.
d. bureaucratic.

xthemafja · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Although autocratic leadership is a strict form of leadership, it is useful in crisis situations. A nurse may act as an autocratic leader when taking charge after a patient is found unresponsive. In this situation, it is helpful to have a leader who takes control and directs other members of the health care team. Democratic leaders may see themselves as equals with other team members and may consult with other nurses, exhibiting a democratic form of leadership. This style of leadership can be used in unit council meetings where nurses collaborate together to identify solutions to common problems. A nurse in a leadership position who uses the laissez-faire style of leadership assigns patient care and expects all team members to set goals for the day and manage their time to complete the assignment. Successful implementation of this leadership style in nursing requires a highly efficient and reliable staff, such as seen in some specialized OR nursing teams with a history of working together on a set type of cases. The bureaucratic leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The authoritarian or autocratic leader exercises strong control over subordinates. The participative or democratic leader believes that employees are motivated by internal means and want to participate in decision making. The primary function of the leader in this situation is to foster communication and develop relationships with followers. Like the democratic leader, the permissive or laissez-faire leader thinks that employees are motivated by their own desire to do well. The laissez-faire leader provides little or no direction to followers, who develop their own goals and make their own. Like the autocratic leader, the bureaucratic leader assumes that employees are motivated by external forces. This type of leader relies on policies and procedures to direct goals and work processes. The nurse using bureaucratic leadership tends to relate impersonally to staff and exercises power on the basis of established rules.