NURS 321 EXAM 2026 | Questions and
Answers | 100% Correct | Nursing
Fundamentals | Nursing School Prep |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING & NURSING PROCESS - 35
Questions]
Question 1
Which step of the nursing process involves collecting comprehensive data about the patient's
health status?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Answer: C) Assessment [CORRECT]
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE) and involves systematic
collection of comprehensive data about the patient's health status, including physical,
psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. This data forms the foundation for all
subsequent nursing process steps. The nurse gathers information through interview,
observation, physical examination, and review of medical records.
Question 2
A nurse is analyzing patient data to identify health problems and formulate nursing diagnoses.
Which step of the nursing process is being performed?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Diagnosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Diagnosis step involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or potential
health problems and formulate nursing diagnoses. This requires clinical reasoning to interpret
data patterns and identify patient needs that nurses can treat independently. Nursing diagnoses
differ from medical diagnoses and focus on patient responses to health conditions.
Question 3
When developing a plan of care, which goal statement best exemplifies a SMART goal?
A) "Patient will feel better soon"
, ) "Patient will ambulate three times daily for the next three days"
B
C) "Patient will have good pain control"
D) "Patient will improve mobility"
Answer: B) "Patient will ambulate three times daily for the next three days" [CORRECT]
Rationale: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Option B meets all criteria: specific activity (ambulate), measurable frequency (three times),
achievable and relevant to recovery, with a defined timeframe (next three days). Vague terms
like "feel better," "good," or "improve" lack measurability.
Question 4
A nurse administers prescribed medications and performs wound dressing changes. Which
nursing process step is being implemented?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: C) Implementation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Implementation involves performing nursing interventions identified in the care plan.
This includes both dependent interventions (those requiring physician orders, such as
medication administration) and independent nursing interventions (such as patient education
and emotional support). The nurse executes the planned interventions to achieve patient
outcomes.
Question 5
After implementing care for a patient with impaired mobility, the nurse determines whether the
patient goals were met. Which nursing process step is this?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Evaluation
D) Assessment
Answer: C) Evaluation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process where the nurse determines the
effectiveness of nursing care in meeting patient outcomes. The nurse compares actual patient
outcomes with expected outcomes, judges whether goals were met, partially met, or not met,
and decides whether to continue, modify, or terminate the care plan.
Question 6
According to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, a patient who states "I know I should quit
smoking, but I'm not ready to do anything about it right now" is in which stage?
A) Contemplation
B) Precontemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Answer: B) Precontemplation [CORRECT]
Rationale: In the Precontemplation stage, individuals do not intend to take action within the next
6 months and are often unaware of their problematic behavior or its negative consequences.
They may be in denial or resistant to change. The patient acknowledges the issue (smoking) but
, hows no intention to act, fitting this stage rather than Contemplation where intention to change
s
within 6 months exists.
Question 7
A patient tells the nurse, "I've been thinking about starting an exercise program and weighing
the pros and cons." Which stage of change does this represent?
A) Precontemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Maintenance
Answer: B) Contemplation [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Contemplation stage is characterized by intention to start healthy behavior within
the next 6 months, during which individuals begin developing pros and cons of changing. This
patient is actively considering change and evaluating benefits versus barriers, which
distinguishes Contemplation from Precontemplation (no intention) and Preparation (ready to act
within 30 days).
Question 8
A patient states, "I'm ready to start my diet next week and have already bought healthy foods
and scheduled a gym membership." Which stage of change is demonstrated?
A) Contemplation
B) Preparation
C) Action
D) Maintenance
Answer: B) Preparation [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Preparation stage involves being ready to take action within the next 30 days
and believing that changing behavior can lead to a healthier lifestyle. This patient has made
concrete preparations (purchasing healthy foods, gym membership) and has a specific timeline
(next week), indicating readiness to change rather than just considering it.
Question 9
A patient has been following a smoking cessation program for three months and plans to
continue. Which stage of change applies?
A) Preparation
B) Action
C) Maintenance
D) Termination
Answer: B) Action [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Action stage involves people who have recently changed their behavior (within
the last 6 months) and intend to keep moving forward. Since this patient has been smoke-free
for three months (less than 6 months) and plans to continue, they are in the Action stage.
Maintenance begins after 6 months of sustained behavior change.
Question 10
A patient has maintained smoking cessation for two years and works with the nurse to prevent
relapse. Which stage of change is demonstrated?
A) Action
B) Maintenance
, ) Termination
C
D) Relapse
Answer: B) Maintenance [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Maintenance stage involves sustaining behavior change for more than 6 months
with intention to maintain going forward. During this stage, nurses work to prevent or prepare for
relapse. This patient's two-year abstinence clearly places them in Maintenance, where the focus
shifts to long-term sustainability and relapse prevention strategies.
Question 11
Which level of disease prevention includes immunizations and health education for individuals
who do not have the disease?
A) Secondary prevention
B) Tertiary prevention
C) Primary prevention
D) Quaternary prevention
Answer: C) Primary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on health promotion and protection before disease
occurs. It targets individuals who do not have the disease and aims to prevent disease
occurrence through immunizations, health education, nutrition counseling, and environmental
modifications. This contrasts with secondary prevention (early detection) and tertiary prevention
(rehabilitation).
Question 12
A community health nurse conducts blood pressure screenings at a local health fair. Which level
of prevention is being implemented?
A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Health promotion
Answer: B) Secondary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early identification of disease through screening
and early intervention to prevent complications. Blood pressure screenings aim to detect
hypertension before symptoms develop, allowing for early treatment. This differs from primary
prevention (preventing disease occurrence) and tertiary prevention (managing established
disease).
Question 13
A rehabilitation nurse works with a stroke patient to maximize functional independence and
prevent further disability. Which level of prevention is this?
A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Health restoration
Answer: C) Tertiary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Tertiary prevention involves treatment to reduce disability from disease, restoration,
and rehabilitation to return individuals to optimum functioning. This nurse is working with an
Answers | 100% Correct | Nursing
Fundamentals | Nursing School Prep |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING & NURSING PROCESS - 35
Questions]
Question 1
Which step of the nursing process involves collecting comprehensive data about the patient's
health status?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Answer: C) Assessment [CORRECT]
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process (ADPIE) and involves systematic
collection of comprehensive data about the patient's health status, including physical,
psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. This data forms the foundation for all
subsequent nursing process steps. The nurse gathers information through interview,
observation, physical examination, and review of medical records.
Question 2
A nurse is analyzing patient data to identify health problems and formulate nursing diagnoses.
Which step of the nursing process is being performed?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Diagnosis [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Diagnosis step involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or potential
health problems and formulate nursing diagnoses. This requires clinical reasoning to interpret
data patterns and identify patient needs that nurses can treat independently. Nursing diagnoses
differ from medical diagnoses and focus on patient responses to health conditions.
Question 3
When developing a plan of care, which goal statement best exemplifies a SMART goal?
A) "Patient will feel better soon"
, ) "Patient will ambulate three times daily for the next three days"
B
C) "Patient will have good pain control"
D) "Patient will improve mobility"
Answer: B) "Patient will ambulate three times daily for the next three days" [CORRECT]
Rationale: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Option B meets all criteria: specific activity (ambulate), measurable frequency (three times),
achievable and relevant to recovery, with a defined timeframe (next three days). Vague terms
like "feel better," "good," or "improve" lack measurability.
Question 4
A nurse administers prescribed medications and performs wound dressing changes. Which
nursing process step is being implemented?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: C) Implementation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Implementation involves performing nursing interventions identified in the care plan.
This includes both dependent interventions (those requiring physician orders, such as
medication administration) and independent nursing interventions (such as patient education
and emotional support). The nurse executes the planned interventions to achieve patient
outcomes.
Question 5
After implementing care for a patient with impaired mobility, the nurse determines whether the
patient goals were met. Which nursing process step is this?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Evaluation
D) Assessment
Answer: C) Evaluation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process where the nurse determines the
effectiveness of nursing care in meeting patient outcomes. The nurse compares actual patient
outcomes with expected outcomes, judges whether goals were met, partially met, or not met,
and decides whether to continue, modify, or terminate the care plan.
Question 6
According to the Transtheoretical Model of Change, a patient who states "I know I should quit
smoking, but I'm not ready to do anything about it right now" is in which stage?
A) Contemplation
B) Precontemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Answer: B) Precontemplation [CORRECT]
Rationale: In the Precontemplation stage, individuals do not intend to take action within the next
6 months and are often unaware of their problematic behavior or its negative consequences.
They may be in denial or resistant to change. The patient acknowledges the issue (smoking) but
, hows no intention to act, fitting this stage rather than Contemplation where intention to change
s
within 6 months exists.
Question 7
A patient tells the nurse, "I've been thinking about starting an exercise program and weighing
the pros and cons." Which stage of change does this represent?
A) Precontemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Maintenance
Answer: B) Contemplation [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Contemplation stage is characterized by intention to start healthy behavior within
the next 6 months, during which individuals begin developing pros and cons of changing. This
patient is actively considering change and evaluating benefits versus barriers, which
distinguishes Contemplation from Precontemplation (no intention) and Preparation (ready to act
within 30 days).
Question 8
A patient states, "I'm ready to start my diet next week and have already bought healthy foods
and scheduled a gym membership." Which stage of change is demonstrated?
A) Contemplation
B) Preparation
C) Action
D) Maintenance
Answer: B) Preparation [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Preparation stage involves being ready to take action within the next 30 days
and believing that changing behavior can lead to a healthier lifestyle. This patient has made
concrete preparations (purchasing healthy foods, gym membership) and has a specific timeline
(next week), indicating readiness to change rather than just considering it.
Question 9
A patient has been following a smoking cessation program for three months and plans to
continue. Which stage of change applies?
A) Preparation
B) Action
C) Maintenance
D) Termination
Answer: B) Action [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Action stage involves people who have recently changed their behavior (within
the last 6 months) and intend to keep moving forward. Since this patient has been smoke-free
for three months (less than 6 months) and plans to continue, they are in the Action stage.
Maintenance begins after 6 months of sustained behavior change.
Question 10
A patient has maintained smoking cessation for two years and works with the nurse to prevent
relapse. Which stage of change is demonstrated?
A) Action
B) Maintenance
, ) Termination
C
D) Relapse
Answer: B) Maintenance [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Maintenance stage involves sustaining behavior change for more than 6 months
with intention to maintain going forward. During this stage, nurses work to prevent or prepare for
relapse. This patient's two-year abstinence clearly places them in Maintenance, where the focus
shifts to long-term sustainability and relapse prevention strategies.
Question 11
Which level of disease prevention includes immunizations and health education for individuals
who do not have the disease?
A) Secondary prevention
B) Tertiary prevention
C) Primary prevention
D) Quaternary prevention
Answer: C) Primary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on health promotion and protection before disease
occurs. It targets individuals who do not have the disease and aims to prevent disease
occurrence through immunizations, health education, nutrition counseling, and environmental
modifications. This contrasts with secondary prevention (early detection) and tertiary prevention
(rehabilitation).
Question 12
A community health nurse conducts blood pressure screenings at a local health fair. Which level
of prevention is being implemented?
A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Health promotion
Answer: B) Secondary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early identification of disease through screening
and early intervention to prevent complications. Blood pressure screenings aim to detect
hypertension before symptoms develop, allowing for early treatment. This differs from primary
prevention (preventing disease occurrence) and tertiary prevention (managing established
disease).
Question 13
A rehabilitation nurse works with a stroke patient to maximize functional independence and
prevent further disability. Which level of prevention is this?
A) Primary prevention
B) Secondary prevention
C) Tertiary prevention
D) Health restoration
Answer: C) Tertiary prevention [CORRECT]
Rationale: Tertiary prevention involves treatment to reduce disability from disease, restoration,
and rehabilitation to return individuals to optimum functioning. This nurse is working with an
