1. Legitimate power can be defined as derived from:
A. rewards
B. knowledge and skills
C. the position one holds and degree of authority
D. attraction

2. Power has been described as:
A. the ability to create, get, and use resources to achieve one’s goals
B. a process to facilitate participation of others in decision making and allow them to take action within an environment where there is equitable distribution of power
C. a collection of accomplishment of goals through efforts used to move toward progress

3. Power in nursing should be viewed as:
A. a significant part of one’s responsibility to patients, coworkers, and oneself
B. a primary responsibility of the nurse manager to define
C. an underlying accountability which is not directly related to delivery of care

Answers to Study Questions

1. C. Sources of power are attributed to conscious and unconscious factors that allow an individual(s) to have influence over another. One such type is legitimate power, which is given to a nurse based upon one’s position and area of responsibility. Nurses are expected to use that authority and power.

2. A. Commonly, power has been defined as the ability to create, get, and use resources to achieve goals. Power is also derived from one’s influence upon others and one’s ability to effect a change in behavior.

3. A. Nursing power is multi-focused and involved patients, staff, community, co-workers, and peers, administration as well as oneself.