WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
– COMPLETE
150 Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Update | Graded A+
EXAM DETAILS
| Attribute | Information |
|--|-|
| Institution | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course Code | D439 |
✅
| Course Title | Foundations of Nursing |
| Total Questions | 150 COMPLETE |
| Format | Question + Correct Answer + Detailed Rationale |
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (ADPIE)
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A client comes to the walk-in clinic with reports of abdominal pain and diarrhea. While taking the
client's vital signs, the nurse is implementing which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Taking vital signs is data
collection that occurs during assessment. All subsequent phases rely on accurate assessment
data .
,Question 2
The nurse is measuring the client's urine output and straining the urine to assess for stones.
Which of the following should the nurse record as objective data?
A) The client reports abdominal pain.
B) The client reports nausea.
C) The client's urine output is 450 mL.
D) The client states, "I think I might have a fever."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is measurable and verifiable by the nurse. Urine output of 450 mL is
measurable. Client statements are subjective data .
Question 3
What is the correct sequence of the five steps of the nursing process?
A) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process order is Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation,
Evaluation (ADPIE) .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is in pain. The nurse uses a 0-10 pain scale to measure the
client's pain level. This action occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
,Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain measurement using a standardized scale is assessment. Pain is subjective, but
the scale converts it into measurable objective data .
Question 5
Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask when performing a health assessment?
A) "Have you ever had surgery?"
B) "Why didn't you seek medical help sooner?"
C) "What do you think caused your illness?"
D) "Don't you think your symptoms are improving?"
Correct answer: A
Rationale: "Have you ever had surgery?" is open-ended and non-judgmental. "Why…" or "Don't
you think…" questions may be perceived as accusatory .
Question 6
After reviewing lab results, a nurse identifies that the patient's potassium is low. The nurse
writes "Risk for Electrolyte Imbalance." This is an example of a:
A) Medical diagnosis
B) Collaborative problem
C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Outcome identification
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Nursing diagnoses address patient responses to health problems. "Risk for" is an
approved NANDA-I nursing diagnosis .
Question 7
A nurse writes the following goal for a client: "The client will be able to walk to the bathroom
without assistance within 24 hours." This is an example of a(n):
, A) Nursing diagnosis
B) SMART goal
C) Medical order
D) Subjective statement
Correct answer: B
Rationale: This goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) .
Question 8
A nurse sets a goal: "Patient will ambulate 100 feet without shortness of breath within 3 days."
This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Long-term goal
C) Short-term goal
D) Outcome evaluation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Short-term goals are achievable in hours to days (3 days). Long-term goals take
weeks or months .
Question 9
A nurse delegates ambulating a stable patient to a UAP but remains responsible for overall
care. This reflects which principle?
A) The nursing process
B) Delegation accountability
C) Evidence-based practice
D) Cultural competence
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The delegating nurse retains accountability for overall care and outcomes even after
delegating tasks .
– COMPLETE
150 Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Update | Graded A+
EXAM DETAILS
| Attribute | Information |
|--|-|
| Institution | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course Code | D439 |
✅
| Course Title | Foundations of Nursing |
| Total Questions | 150 COMPLETE |
| Format | Question + Correct Answer + Detailed Rationale |
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (ADPIE)
Questions 1–25
Question 1
A client comes to the walk-in clinic with reports of abdominal pain and diarrhea. While taking the
client's vital signs, the nurse is implementing which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Taking vital signs is data
collection that occurs during assessment. All subsequent phases rely on accurate assessment
data .
,Question 2
The nurse is measuring the client's urine output and straining the urine to assess for stones.
Which of the following should the nurse record as objective data?
A) The client reports abdominal pain.
B) The client reports nausea.
C) The client's urine output is 450 mL.
D) The client states, "I think I might have a fever."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is measurable and verifiable by the nurse. Urine output of 450 mL is
measurable. Client statements are subjective data .
Question 3
What is the correct sequence of the five steps of the nursing process?
A) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process order is Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation,
Evaluation (ADPIE) .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is in pain. The nurse uses a 0-10 pain scale to measure the
client's pain level. This action occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
,Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain measurement using a standardized scale is assessment. Pain is subjective, but
the scale converts it into measurable objective data .
Question 5
Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask when performing a health assessment?
A) "Have you ever had surgery?"
B) "Why didn't you seek medical help sooner?"
C) "What do you think caused your illness?"
D) "Don't you think your symptoms are improving?"
Correct answer: A
Rationale: "Have you ever had surgery?" is open-ended and non-judgmental. "Why…" or "Don't
you think…" questions may be perceived as accusatory .
Question 6
After reviewing lab results, a nurse identifies that the patient's potassium is low. The nurse
writes "Risk for Electrolyte Imbalance." This is an example of a:
A) Medical diagnosis
B) Collaborative problem
C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Outcome identification
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Nursing diagnoses address patient responses to health problems. "Risk for" is an
approved NANDA-I nursing diagnosis .
Question 7
A nurse writes the following goal for a client: "The client will be able to walk to the bathroom
without assistance within 24 hours." This is an example of a(n):
, A) Nursing diagnosis
B) SMART goal
C) Medical order
D) Subjective statement
Correct answer: B
Rationale: This goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) .
Question 8
A nurse sets a goal: "Patient will ambulate 100 feet without shortness of breath within 3 days."
This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Long-term goal
C) Short-term goal
D) Outcome evaluation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Short-term goals are achievable in hours to days (3 days). Long-term goals take
weeks or months .
Question 9
A nurse delegates ambulating a stable patient to a UAP but remains responsible for overall
care. This reflects which principle?
A) The nursing process
B) Delegation accountability
C) Evidence-based practice
D) Cultural competence
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The delegating nurse retains accountability for overall care and outcomes even after
delegating tasks .
