NURSING CARE PLANS
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
A newly hired nurse asks why the unit uses written nursing care
plans when the electronic health record already contains orders
and progress notes. The preceptor explains that the care plan
should help the team focus on the patient’s needs, expected
results, and nursing actions. Which statement best describes
the primary purpose of a nursing care plan?
,Options:
A. To list all physician-prescribed treatments for the patient
B. To organize patient-centered nursing diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
C. To replace the need for ongoing nursing assessment
D. To document only abnormal findings for legal purposes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A nursing care plan organizes nursing diagnoses, interventions,
and outcomes in a patient-centered way. It helps the nurse
communicate priorities, guide care, and evaluate whether
interventions are effective.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Physician orders may be included in the overall plan of care,
but they are not the primary focus of a nursing care plan.
C. Care plans depend on ongoing assessment; they do not
replace it.
D. A care plan is broader than legal documentation of
abnormalities and should guide nursing action.
Teaching Point:
A care plan links assessment, nursing action, and measurable
outcomes.
Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses,
,Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1,
Introduction.
2) Reference: How to use nursing care plans: diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
Stem:
A patient with new-onset weakness reports, “I do not feel safe
walking to the bathroom alone.” The nurse identifies the
diagnosis, selects interventions, and writes an outcome. Which
care-plan component states what the nurse will do to promote
safety?
Options:
A. Nursing diagnosis
B. Expected outcome
C. Nursing intervention
D. Etiology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Nursing interventions are the actions the nurse performs to
address the diagnosis and support the outcome. In this case,
safety measures such as assisted ambulation and fall
precautions are interventions.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. The diagnosis names the patient problem, not the action.
B. The outcome describes the desired result, not the nurse’s
, action.
D. Etiology describes the cause or related factor, not the
intervention.
Teaching Point:
Interventions are the “doing” part of the care plan.
Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses,
Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1, How to use
nursing care plans: diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes.
3) Reference: Individualizing a care plan
Stem:
A hospitalized older adult with hearing loss nods during
teaching but does not answer questions appropriately. The
nurse notices the patient reads at a low level and prefers
written instructions with large print. Which action best
individualizes the care plan?
Options:
A. Use the same standard teaching sheet given to all patients
B. Delay teaching until discharge instructions are printed
C. Adapt teaching materials and communication to the patient’s
hearing and literacy needs
D. Ask a family member to receive all teaching instead of the
patient
Correct Answer: C
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
A newly hired nurse asks why the unit uses written nursing care
plans when the electronic health record already contains orders
and progress notes. The preceptor explains that the care plan
should help the team focus on the patient’s needs, expected
results, and nursing actions. Which statement best describes
the primary purpose of a nursing care plan?
,Options:
A. To list all physician-prescribed treatments for the patient
B. To organize patient-centered nursing diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
C. To replace the need for ongoing nursing assessment
D. To document only abnormal findings for legal purposes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A nursing care plan organizes nursing diagnoses, interventions,
and outcomes in a patient-centered way. It helps the nurse
communicate priorities, guide care, and evaluate whether
interventions are effective.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Physician orders may be included in the overall plan of care,
but they are not the primary focus of a nursing care plan.
C. Care plans depend on ongoing assessment; they do not
replace it.
D. A care plan is broader than legal documentation of
abnormalities and should guide nursing action.
Teaching Point:
A care plan links assessment, nursing action, and measurable
outcomes.
Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses,
,Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1,
Introduction.
2) Reference: How to use nursing care plans: diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
Stem:
A patient with new-onset weakness reports, “I do not feel safe
walking to the bathroom alone.” The nurse identifies the
diagnosis, selects interventions, and writes an outcome. Which
care-plan component states what the nurse will do to promote
safety?
Options:
A. Nursing diagnosis
B. Expected outcome
C. Nursing intervention
D. Etiology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Nursing interventions are the actions the nurse performs to
address the diagnosis and support the outcome. In this case,
safety measures such as assisted ambulation and fall
precautions are interventions.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. The diagnosis names the patient problem, not the action.
B. The outcome describes the desired result, not the nurse’s
, action.
D. Etiology describes the cause or related factor, not the
intervention.
Teaching Point:
Interventions are the “doing” part of the care plan.
Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses,
Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1, How to use
nursing care plans: diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes.
3) Reference: Individualizing a care plan
Stem:
A hospitalized older adult with hearing loss nods during
teaching but does not answer questions appropriately. The
nurse notices the patient reads at a low level and prefers
written instructions with large print. Which action best
individualizes the care plan?
Options:
A. Use the same standard teaching sheet given to all patients
B. Delay teaching until discharge instructions are printed
C. Adapt teaching materials and communication to the patient’s
hearing and literacy needs
D. Ask a family member to receive all teaching instead of the
patient
Correct Answer: C
