Page 192 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

registered nurse assumes total responsibility for
planning and delivering care to a client.
2. The client may have different nurses assigned during a
24-hour period; the nurse provides all necessary care
needed for the assigned time period.
III. Professional Responsibilities

A. Accountability

1. The process in which individuals have an obligation
(or duty) to act and are answerable for their choices,
decisions, and actions.
2. Involves assuming only the responsibilities that are
within one’s scope of practice and not assuming
responsibility for activities in which competence has
not been achieved.
3. Involves admitting mistakes rather than blaming
others and evaluating the outcomes of one’s own
actions.
4. Includes a responsibility to the client to be competent
and provide nursing care in accordance with
standards of nursing practice while adhering to the
professional ethics codes.

Accountability is the acceptance of responsibility for one’s

choices, decisions, and actions. The nurse is always responsible for
their actions when providing care to a client.
B. Leadership and management
1. Leadership is the interpersonal process that involves
influencing others (followers) to achieve goals.
2. Management is the accomplishment of tasks or goals
by oneself or by directing others.
C. Theories of leadership and management (Box 7-1)

D. Leader and manager approaches

1. Authoritarian leadership
a. The leader or manager is focused and
maintains strong control, makes
decisions, and addresses all problems.
b. The leader or manager dominates the
group and commands rather than
seeks suggestions or input.
2. Democratic leadership
a. This is also called participative
management.
b. It is based on the belief that every
group member should have input into

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