HSM 300-HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT
Sample Exam for Chapters 12 to 18
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (2 points each). Select the best answer for each
of the following questions.
1. Which of the following statements describes the function of organizing?
a. It is the process of deciding how best to group and relate organizational activities
and resources.
b. It is the process of collaborative goal setting by the manager and subordinate
c. It is the integration of long-range, intermediate, and short-range plans
d. It is the process by which health care organizations fulfill their responsibilities
2. Departmentalization is usually done based on
a.
b.
c.
d.
functions, process, handicap accessibility
process and equipment, territory, product
territory, product, customer satisfaction
customer satisfaction, time, product
3. When processes and equipment are the basis of departmentalization
a.
b.
c.
d.
it is similar to functional arrangements
functional departmentalization cannot exist
it is rarely seen in healthcare
activities are different
4. When functions are the basis of departmentalization
a.
b.
c.
d.
activities are different and under a scalar chain
coordination is hindered
new duties may be added to existing departments
it is similar to a matrix organization
5. Once designed, an organizational structure
a.
b.
c.
d.
rarely changes because change continuously happens
changes continuously because of changes in the environment
should be structured as a matrix organization
should have flexibility to deal with changes in the environment
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6. Matrix organizations provide
a.
b.
c.
d.
for vertical dimensions to the functional organization
for the elimination of the traditional organization
the capacity to conduct several projects simultaneously
for the elimination of a hybrid structure
7. The difference between the formal authority theory and acceptance theory is
a.
b.
c.
d.
that they were developed by two different theorists
that one requires charisma, whereas the other does not
that acceptance theory allows delegation, whereas formal authority does not
the source of authority’s origin
8. Which of the following best matches with division of work?
a.
b.
c.
d.
scope of supervision
supports efficiency
affects effective supervision
right to direct others
9. Which of the following best matches with span of management?
a.
b.
c.
d.
may be complex set of activities
may be delegated
right to direct others
scope of supervision
10. All managers have
a.
b.
c.
d.
functional authority
personal authority
positional authority
expertise
11. One’s span of control can be expanded when
a.
b.
c.
d.
self-directed teams are implemented
staff is incompetent
standard procedures are not met
objective standards are not in effect
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12. Self-directed teams
a.
b.
c.
d.
limit the sharing of authority
encourage team members to compete with each other
take on some of the traditional supervisory duties
require a narrowing span of control
13. Personal authority is synonymous with
a.
b.
c.
d.
functional authority
charismatic authority
positional authority
span of control
14. The route through which authority is delegated is known as
a.
b.
c.
d.
scalar chain
formal structure
division of work
hybrid structure
15. As delegation occurs through the various levels of an organization, it
a.
b.
c.
d.
becomes blurred
narrows
broadens
becomes tedious
16. When assigning duties to a subordinate, the supervisor must
a.
b.
c.
d.
assign all duties to no more than one subordinate
consider whether the subordinate will want to do the assignment
determine how the work is to be divided
consider the pressure of assigning work logically
17. When authority is delegated, responsibility is created. This statement means
a.
b.
c.
d.
the supervisor’s responsibility increases with each delegated task
the subordinate’s position description is expanded with each delegated task
regardless of acceptance, the subordinate is obligated to perform the duties
once accepted, the subordinate is obligated to perform the duties
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18. Successful delegation of authority requires
a.
b.
c.
d.
a willingness by all managers to effectively delegate authority to others
an indoctrination on the philosophy of decentralized authority by human resources
a desire to decentralize authority from the board of trustees
an expansion of the organization’s structure
19. Staff positions are appointed because
a. it is expected that there will be staff positions in any organization
b. staff is needed to support the needs of line managers
c. no manager could possibly have all the expertise and information necessary to
manage
d. they facilitate the delegation of authority
20. Staff authority is primarily based on
a.
b.
c.
d.
position and job description
expertise and knowledge
technology awareness
research capabilities
21. The distinction between personal staff and specialized staff is
a. personal staff serves as extenders to the supervisor or manager, whereas
specialized staff serve as advisors
b. specialized staff performs a variety of tasks for an executive or manager, whereas
personal staff performs a variety of tasks for all management members
c. personal staff has line authority and specialized staff has none
d. specialized staff positions are often training grounds for future managers
22. A staff specialist may override a line manager when
a.
b.
c.
d.
the line manager lacks the expertise in a given function, such as clinical services
functional authority has been assigned by a senior executive
unity of command is not embraced in the organization
problems of a certain type must be minimized in an organization
23. Increasing employee participation is most often affiliated with
a.
b.
c.
d.
job design
job redesign
general supervision
job enrichment
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24. Which of the following is affiliated with downsizing?
a.
b.
c.
d.
cost reduction
career management
mentoring
pay increase
25. Collapsing levels of management is affiliated with
a.
b.
c.
d.
reorganization/downsizing
job enlargement
job enrichment
reengineering
26. Developing a backup supports the supervisor and
a.
b.
c.
d.
is a must to get a promotion
is a sign of poor supervision
is a necessity in a department of any size
can only be hired from external candidates
27. In delegating, one must remember
a. that every subordinate must be delegated some authority for internal equity to be
present
b. that once a backup is established, this person should do the delegation of authority
thereafter so as to not interfere with the chain of command
c. delegating authority does not relinquish supervisors of their responsibilities in
ensuring tasks are performed appropriately
d. minimal delegation will ensure employee participation
28. In selecting a backup, the supervisor should
a.
b.
c.
d.
select someone who is unionized and has seniority
select someone who is older and lives closer to the job site
select someone who is younger with less experience
select someone who is dependable and has experience and training
29. Delegation is considered a
a.
b.
c.
d.
one-time event
an event that must happen continuously along with mentoring
an event that only occurs at times of reengineering
an event that only occurs when demand for services is high
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30. Adding variety to a job is affiliated with the term
a.
b.
c.
d.
job design
job enlargement
job redesign
job enrichment
31. General supervision is
a.
b.
c.
d.
more rewarding to the staff
less motivating to the staff
means possible loss of jobs
means fewer jobs
32. A committee differs from a unit of management in that
a.
b.
c.
d.
management units exist in all organizations but committees do not
committee members normally have other full-time duties in the organization
management has line responsibility, whereas committees do not
management time is less productive for the organization than committee time
33. Issues to consider when establishing a committee include
a.
b.
c.
d.
composition, meeting times, and chairperson
chairperson, size, and conference room space
composition, size, and chairperson
composition, meeting times, and chairperson
34. Which of the following constitutes a good decision by a committee?
a. One that avoids the use of time-consuming tools such as brainstorming
b. One that all participants have agreed on, with or without some concessions and
compromise
c. One that incorporates only the ideas of the majority in decision making
d. One that incorporates only the ideas of the chairperson and members who are
outspoken
35. The committee chairperson should not
a.
b.
c.
d.
interfere with dominant people
limit any one participant’s speaking time
express his or her opinions early in the discussion
set mutually agreeable date for the next meeting
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36. Informal group participation provides all of the following except
a.
b.
c.
d.
satisfaction
balance and protection
collective power
formal authority
37. The four status positions within any informal group include
a.
b.
c.
d.
informal leader, primary group, line status, and staff status
informal leader, secondary group, fringe status, and staff status
informal leader, primary group, fringe status, and out of status
informal leader, cluster group, line status, and out status
38. Which of the following describes the pecking order?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The horizontal arrangement of groups in a formal organization
The status of individuals within an informal group
The structure of those members belonging to the out status
The dominant members of a committee
39. If the informal group is involved in decision making, the following should occur
a.
b.
c.
d.
ground rules for the decision-making process should be established
a problem with little consequence to the organization should be chosen
a broad topic with great latitude should be set
the problem must be disciplinary in nature
40. Which of the following statements is correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Management should attempt to eliminate the informal organization
Informal organizations have no effect on the formal organization
Formal and informal relationships are essential subsystems of an organization
Informal relationships are of the past and are no longer important
41. Which of the following statements best describes the informal organization?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It serves as a substitute for the formal organization
It can only make a negative contribution to the functioning of an organization
It can only make a positive contribution to the functioning of an organization
It can make a positive or negative contribution to the functioning of an
organization
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42. Employees join groups
a.
b.
c.
d.
because they have poor self-esteem
to foster career management
because they believe they have a better chance for promotion
because they have certain needs that they would like to have satisfied
43. Which of the following is the most powerful sanction for violating the standards
of the informal organization?
a.
b.
c.
d.
rejection
exerting pressure
threats
ridicule
44. Which of the following is not true about the informal organization?
a. It is present in all organizations
b. It should be understood and nurtured by the manager and supervisor
c. This organization is always disruptive and interferes with the functioning of an
organization
d. Management cannot eliminate it
45. A supervisor is wise to
a. ignore the information provided by the informal organization
b. attempt to infiltrate the grapevine with incorrect information to make it less
credible
c. integrate the interests of the informal organization with the formal organization
d. discredit the informal leader of the informal organization
46. Meeting the needs of customers first is an example of
a.
b.
c.
d.
job enlargement
job design
reengineering
job enrichment
47. All of the following describes delegation except
a.
b.
c.
d.
All authority is surrendered by the supervisor
It is essential in the organization
It is conveyed from a supervisor
The granting of authority to a subordinate
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48. Authority and accountability are related in that they
a.
b.
c.
d.
both are management terms
both relate to the relationship between superior and subordinate
both determine market share
both negative terms when we speak of the formal organization
49. The final step in delegating authority is
a.
b.
c.
d.
defining the problem
establishing expected results
checking the progress of the task
recognizing the individual for the work completed
50. The agenda should state the purpose of the meeting and
a.
b.
c.
d.
any specific goals that needs to be achieved
the qualifications of every member
the credentials of the chairperson
the names of all the people in top management
Answers to sample test (chapters 12-18)
1. a
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. d
6. c
7. d
8. b
9. d
10. c
11. a
12. c
13. b
14. a
15. b
16. c
17. d
18. a
19. c
20. b
21. a
22. b
23. d
24. a
25. a
26. c
27. c
28. d
29. b
30. b
31. a
32. b
33. c
34. b
35. c
36. d
37. c
38. b
39. a
40. c
41. d
42. d
43. a
44. c
45. c
46. c
47. a
48. b
49. d
50. a
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