NURSING CARE PLANS
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
What is a nursing care plan? — Purpose and structure
A nurse is admitting a patient with heart failure who has
dyspnea on exertion and bilateral ankle edema. The nurse
documents assessment findings, identifies relevant nursing
diagnoses, and lists interventions to reduce fluid overload.
Which statement best describes the purpose of the nursing care
plan?
A. It replaces the provider’s medical plan of care
B. It standardizes every patient’s care the same way
,C. It organizes individualized nursing care based on assessment
data
D. It is used only for discharge teaching
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
C: A nursing care plan links assessment data to nursing
diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes in an individualized
way. It helps the nurse organize care and communicate
priorities.
A: A nursing care plan does not replace the medical plan; it
complements it.
B: Care plans should be individualized, not identical for
every patient.
D: It is used throughout care, not only at discharge.
Teaching Point: A care plan connects assessment, nursing
diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.), Chapter 1.
2. Reference
How to use nursing care plans — selecting interventions
A patient with pneumonia has thick secretions, weak cough,
and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. Which nursing
action should the nurse select first when using a care plan?
,A. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing
B. Encourage oral fluid intake if not contraindicated
C. Administer the prescribed bronchodilator
D. Reassess sputum color in 4 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
B: Thick secretions suggest impaired airway clearance; fluids
can help thin secretions and support the nursing goal.
A: Breathing exercises may help, but they do not address
thick secretions as directly.
C: Medication may help, but the question asks for the best
nursing action selected from the care plan.
D: Delayed reassessment does not address the immediate
problem.
Teaching Point: Match interventions to the patient’s most
immediate need.
Citation: Gulanick & Myers (2026), Chapter 1.
3. Reference
Individualizing a care plan
A patient with type 2 diabetes says, “I already know how to
check my blood sugar, but I struggle with meal planning
because I work nights.” What is the best nursing response?
, A. Use the standard diabetes teaching packet
B. Focus teaching on meal planning that fits the night-shift
schedule
C. Tell the patient to follow a fixed diet every day
D. Delay education until discharge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
B: Care plans should reflect the patient’s lifestyle, barriers,
and learning needs. Individualizing the plan improves
adherence and outcomes.
A: Standard materials alone may not meet the patient’s
specific needs.
C: A rigid plan ignores the patient’s work schedule.
D: Education should begin when the need is identified.
Teaching Point: Individualize the plan to the patient’s real-life
barriers.
Citation: Gulanick & Myers (2026), Chapter 1.
4. Reference
Prioritizing nursing diagnoses
A postoperative patient reports pain 8/10, has shallow
breathing, and oxygen saturation is 88%. Which nursing
diagnosis should be prioritized?
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
What is a nursing care plan? — Purpose and structure
A nurse is admitting a patient with heart failure who has
dyspnea on exertion and bilateral ankle edema. The nurse
documents assessment findings, identifies relevant nursing
diagnoses, and lists interventions to reduce fluid overload.
Which statement best describes the purpose of the nursing care
plan?
A. It replaces the provider’s medical plan of care
B. It standardizes every patient’s care the same way
,C. It organizes individualized nursing care based on assessment
data
D. It is used only for discharge teaching
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
C: A nursing care plan links assessment data to nursing
diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes in an individualized
way. It helps the nurse organize care and communicate
priorities.
A: A nursing care plan does not replace the medical plan; it
complements it.
B: Care plans should be individualized, not identical for
every patient.
D: It is used throughout care, not only at discharge.
Teaching Point: A care plan connects assessment, nursing
diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.), Chapter 1.
2. Reference
How to use nursing care plans — selecting interventions
A patient with pneumonia has thick secretions, weak cough,
and an oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. Which nursing
action should the nurse select first when using a care plan?
,A. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing
B. Encourage oral fluid intake if not contraindicated
C. Administer the prescribed bronchodilator
D. Reassess sputum color in 4 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
B: Thick secretions suggest impaired airway clearance; fluids
can help thin secretions and support the nursing goal.
A: Breathing exercises may help, but they do not address
thick secretions as directly.
C: Medication may help, but the question asks for the best
nursing action selected from the care plan.
D: Delayed reassessment does not address the immediate
problem.
Teaching Point: Match interventions to the patient’s most
immediate need.
Citation: Gulanick & Myers (2026), Chapter 1.
3. Reference
Individualizing a care plan
A patient with type 2 diabetes says, “I already know how to
check my blood sugar, but I struggle with meal planning
because I work nights.” What is the best nursing response?
, A. Use the standard diabetes teaching packet
B. Focus teaching on meal planning that fits the night-shift
schedule
C. Tell the patient to follow a fixed diet every day
D. Delay education until discharge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
B: Care plans should reflect the patient’s lifestyle, barriers,
and learning needs. Individualizing the plan improves
adherence and outcomes.
A: Standard materials alone may not meet the patient’s
specific needs.
C: A rigid plan ignores the patient’s work schedule.
D: Education should begin when the need is identified.
Teaching Point: Individualize the plan to the patient’s real-life
barriers.
Citation: Gulanick & Myers (2026), Chapter 1.
4. Reference
Prioritizing nursing diagnoses
A postoperative patient reports pain 8/10, has shallow
breathing, and oxygen saturation is 88%. Which nursing
diagnosis should be prioritized?
