ANM Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ANM facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the PRIMARY goal of an employee orientation program for newly hired nurses? → To introduce the organization's culture, policies, and role expectations
2. The ANM observes that overtime costs spiked significantly in the last pay period due to unexpected call-outs. This is an example of a: → Volume variance
3. Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the LEAST effective leadership behavior for an ANM? → Ignoring chronic lateness to avoid conflict with a high-performing nurse
4. An ANM is asked by a hospital administrator to manipulate quality data before submitting it to accreditation bodies. The ANM should: → Refuse and report the request through appropriate compliance channels
5. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), hospitals with emergency departments are required to: → Screen and stabilize all patients regardless of ability to pay
6. A new graduate nurse is reluctant to speak up when she disagrees with a senior nurse's clinical decision. The ANM should address this by: → Encouraging use of structured communication tools like SBAR to voice concerns safely
7. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees are entitled to how many weeks of unpaid leave per year? → 12 weeks
8. Which scenario best illustrates the coaching role versus the managing role of an assistant nurse manager? → Asking a nurse what steps they would take to prioritize care and guiding their reasoning
9. A staff nurse requests cross-training in the ICU to advance their career. How should the assistant nurse manager respond? → Encourage the nurse and collaborate to create an individualized development plan
10. When a hospital's fall rate rises above the national benchmark, which step in the PDSA cycle should the team undertake FIRST? → Plan — define the problem and hypothesize a solution
11. Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a job description? → To define essential functions, qualifications, and reporting relationships for a position
12. Which technique helps de-escalate a conflict with a coworker? → Using 'I' statements and showing empathy
13. Which of the following is a key responsibility of the Assistant Nurse Manager in facilitating the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) process for an employee? → Providing the employee with a general notice of FMLA rights and responsibilities.
14. During a conflict mediation session, the ANM notices one party is dominating the conversation. The BEST intervention is to: → Summarize the dominant party's points and explicitly invite the other party to respond
15. Which style of management is most likely to result in high short-term productivity but increased staff turnover over time? → Autocratic
16. A nurse manager notices that turnover is highest among nurses in their first year of employment. The MOST likely contributing factor is: → Inadequate onboarding and mentorship support
17. Which of the following is a key indicator used to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing recruitment strategy? → Time-to-fill ratio and 90-day retention rate of new hires
18. A nurse reports that a physician consistently dismisses nursing concerns about patient deterioration. The ANM should first: → Coach the nurse on assertive communication using CUS words and chain of command escalation
19. What is the primary disadvantage of a laissez-faire leadership style in a nursing unit? → It may result in lack of direction and inconsistent care quality
20. Which conflict resolution style involves both parties giving up something to reach an agreement quickly? → Compromising
21. A nurse manager receives a monthly financial report showing that hours per patient day (HPPD) is consistently higher than budget. This most likely indicates: → Staffing levels are higher relative to census than budgeted
22. A new graduate nurse appears anxious during a code blue. The ANM should communicate FIRST by: → Giving clear, simple, direct verbal instructions
23. A nurse on the unit consistently exceeds performance expectations. Which development action is MOST appropriate to prevent disengagement? → Offer stretch assignments, leadership projects, or pathways to advancement
24. A staff member repeatedly misses deadlines despite prior verbal reminders. The ANM should NEXT: → Issue a formal written warning documenting the behavior and expectations
25. A nurse manager notices that a new graduate nurse is struggling with time management. Which leadership approach is most appropriate initially? → Providing close supervision and specific guidance
26. Under HIPAA, which situation represents a permitted disclosure of protected health information (PHI) without patient authorization? → Reporting a gunshot wound to law enforcement as required by state law
27. Which behavior promotes open communication among team members? → Fostering respectful dialogue and inclusivity
28. What is a key indicator of care coordination effectiveness? → Readmission rates
29. A float pool is BEST described as: → A group of cross-trained staff deployed to units based on census fluctuations
30. An ANM wants to reduce staff turnover. Research indicates the MOST powerful retention factor for nurses is: → Feeling valued and having a voice in decisions