NURSING CARE PLANS
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) Reference: What is a nursing care plan? — Introduction
Stem:
A newly admitted client with heart failure has dyspnea on
exertion, bilateral crackles, and 2+ pitting edema. The nurse
reviews the plan of care before the shift and notices it lists
individualized nursing diagnoses, expected outcomes, and
,interventions. Which statement best describes the purpose of
the nursing care plan?
A. It replaces clinical judgment by standardizing all nursing
actions
B. It organizes individualized nursing care based on assessment
data
C. It is used only after the provider writes the medical diagnosis
D. It documents only the tasks the nurse has already completed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. A nursing care plan is a structured tool that links
assessment data to nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and
interventions. It supports individualized, patient-centered care
and helps the nurse plan, implement, and evaluate care
systematically.
A is incorrect. Care plans support, not replace, clinical
judgment.
C is incorrect. Nursing care planning begins with nursing
assessment and does not depend solely on the medical
diagnosis.
D is incorrect. The care plan is forward-looking and guides care;
it is not only a record of completed tasks.
Teaching Point: Care plans translate assessment data into
individualized nursing actions.
,Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1.
2) Reference: How to use nursing care plans — Diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
Stem:
A nurse caring for a client with pneumonia identifies the nursing
diagnosis “Ineffective Airway Clearance.” The nurse then selects
interventions such as coughing, deep breathing, and hydration,
and defines an expected outcome related to improved breath
sounds and oxygenation. What nursing process function is the
nurse performing?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. Planning involves selecting nursing interventions
and establishing measurable outcomes based on the identified
nursing diagnosis. The nurse is deciding what care will be
provided and what response is expected.
A is incorrect. Assessment is the data-gathering phase.
B is incorrect. Diagnosis is the interpretation of the assessment
data, not the selection of interventions and outcomes.
, D is incorrect. Evaluation occurs after interventions to
determine whether the outcomes were achieved.
Teaching Point: Planning connects the nursing diagnosis to
interventions and expected outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1.
3) Reference: Individualizing a care plan — Patient-centered
care
Stem:
Two clients on the same medical unit both have the nursing
diagnosis of Acute Pain. One prefers scheduled medication and
quiet rest, while the other values music, walking, and minimal
medication use. Which action best demonstrates individualizing
the care plan?
A. Using the same pain interventions for both clients to ensure
consistency
B. Tailoring interventions to each client’s preferences and
response to pain
C. Deferring pain management until the provider rounds
D. Focusing only on the documented pain score
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. Individualized care plans incorporate the client’s
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) Reference: What is a nursing care plan? — Introduction
Stem:
A newly admitted client with heart failure has dyspnea on
exertion, bilateral crackles, and 2+ pitting edema. The nurse
reviews the plan of care before the shift and notices it lists
individualized nursing diagnoses, expected outcomes, and
,interventions. Which statement best describes the purpose of
the nursing care plan?
A. It replaces clinical judgment by standardizing all nursing
actions
B. It organizes individualized nursing care based on assessment
data
C. It is used only after the provider writes the medical diagnosis
D. It documents only the tasks the nurse has already completed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. A nursing care plan is a structured tool that links
assessment data to nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and
interventions. It supports individualized, patient-centered care
and helps the nurse plan, implement, and evaluate care
systematically.
A is incorrect. Care plans support, not replace, clinical
judgment.
C is incorrect. Nursing care planning begins with nursing
assessment and does not depend solely on the medical
diagnosis.
D is incorrect. The care plan is forward-looking and guides care;
it is not only a record of completed tasks.
Teaching Point: Care plans translate assessment data into
individualized nursing actions.
,Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1.
2) Reference: How to use nursing care plans — Diagnoses,
interventions, and outcomes
Stem:
A nurse caring for a client with pneumonia identifies the nursing
diagnosis “Ineffective Airway Clearance.” The nurse then selects
interventions such as coughing, deep breathing, and hydration,
and defines an expected outcome related to improved breath
sounds and oxygenation. What nursing process function is the
nurse performing?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. Planning involves selecting nursing interventions
and establishing measurable outcomes based on the identified
nursing diagnosis. The nurse is deciding what care will be
provided and what response is expected.
A is incorrect. Assessment is the data-gathering phase.
B is incorrect. Diagnosis is the interpretation of the assessment
data, not the selection of interventions and outcomes.
, D is incorrect. Evaluation occurs after interventions to
determine whether the outcomes were achieved.
Teaching Point: Planning connects the nursing diagnosis to
interventions and expected outcomes.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (n.d.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). Chapter 1.
3) Reference: Individualizing a care plan — Patient-centered
care
Stem:
Two clients on the same medical unit both have the nursing
diagnosis of Acute Pain. One prefers scheduled medication and
quiet rest, while the other values music, walking, and minimal
medication use. Which action best demonstrates individualizing
the care plan?
A. Using the same pain interventions for both clients to ensure
consistency
B. Tailoring interventions to each client’s preferences and
response to pain
C. Deferring pain management until the provider rounds
D. Focusing only on the documented pain score
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. Individualized care plans incorporate the client’s
