Hondros NUR 205 Exam 1 Nursing Fundamentals Actual
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam-Style
Questions | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
EXAM INFORMATION
Total Questions: 50
Recommended Time: 75 Minutes
Passing Threshold: 78%
Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question Style: Scenario-Based, Applied, and Clinical Decision-Making Questions
Difficulty Level: Fundamental to Moderate
==============================
SECTION 1: Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted with dehydration. The patient reports
feeling dizzy when standing and has dry mucous membranes. The nurse reviews the
physician's orders and notes an order for intravenous fluids. Which step of the nursing
process is the nurse implementing when reviewing these orders?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse is implementing the nursing process step of Implementation when
carrying out the physician's orders for intravenous fluids. Assessment involves
collecting data, which the nurse already completed by noting the patient's symptoms.
Diagnosis involves analyzing data to identify patient problems. Planning involves setting
goals and selecting interventions. Implementation is the actual execution of the planned
interventions, including administering treatments and therapies as ordered.
Question 2
A nursing student is developing a care plan for a patient with impaired mobility. The
student writes the following goal: "The patient will walk 50 feet independently by
discharge." Which component of the goal is missing to make it a properly written
SMART goal?
A. The goal is not specific
B. The goal is not measurable
C. The goal is not time-bound
D. The goal is properly written as a SMART goal
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The goal "The patient will walk 50 feet independently by discharge" is actually
a properly written SMART goal. It is Specific (walking 50 feet), Measurable (50 feet
distance), Achievable (realistic for a patient with impaired mobility), Relevant
,(addresses the mobility problem), and Time-bound (by discharge). The student has
correctly included all necessary SMART components.
Question 3
A nurse enters a patient's room and observes that the patient is pale, diaphoretic, and
clutching their chest. The nurse immediately calls for assistance and prepares to obtain
vital signs. Which critical thinking skill is the nurse primarily demonstrating?
A. Analysis
B. Evaluation
C. Inference
D. Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is demonstrating analysis, which is the critical thinking skill of
breaking down data into components to identify patterns and relationships. By
recognizing the combination of pallor, diaphoresis, and chest clutching as potentially
indicative of a cardiac event, the nurse is analyzing the clinical presentation to
determine the appropriate immediate response. Inference would involve drawing
conclusions, evaluation involves assessing outcomes, and explanation involves
justifying reasoning.
, Question 4
A nurse is using evidence-based practice to develop a new protocol for preventing
pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit. Which action demonstrates the nurse is
applying evidence-based practice correctly?
A. Implementing a protocol solely because it was used at the nurse's previous hospital
B. Reviewing current research studies and combining findings with clinical expertise
and patient preferences
C. Following the physician's preference for wound care regardless of current research
D. Using the protocol that has been in place for the past 20 years because it is familiar
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best current research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences. Simply
implementing a protocol because it was used elsewhere, following physician preference
without evidence, or continuing a long-standing practice without evaluating current
research does not represent true evidence-based practice. The correct approach
combines research findings with professional judgment and patient-centered care.
Question 5
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients at the beginning of the shift. Which patient
should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient requesting a sleeping medication for insomnia
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam-Style
Questions | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
EXAM INFORMATION
Total Questions: 50
Recommended Time: 75 Minutes
Passing Threshold: 78%
Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question Style: Scenario-Based, Applied, and Clinical Decision-Making Questions
Difficulty Level: Fundamental to Moderate
==============================
SECTION 1: Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted with dehydration. The patient reports
feeling dizzy when standing and has dry mucous membranes. The nurse reviews the
physician's orders and notes an order for intravenous fluids. Which step of the nursing
process is the nurse implementing when reviewing these orders?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse is implementing the nursing process step of Implementation when
carrying out the physician's orders for intravenous fluids. Assessment involves
collecting data, which the nurse already completed by noting the patient's symptoms.
Diagnosis involves analyzing data to identify patient problems. Planning involves setting
goals and selecting interventions. Implementation is the actual execution of the planned
interventions, including administering treatments and therapies as ordered.
Question 2
A nursing student is developing a care plan for a patient with impaired mobility. The
student writes the following goal: "The patient will walk 50 feet independently by
discharge." Which component of the goal is missing to make it a properly written
SMART goal?
A. The goal is not specific
B. The goal is not measurable
C. The goal is not time-bound
D. The goal is properly written as a SMART goal
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The goal "The patient will walk 50 feet independently by discharge" is actually
a properly written SMART goal. It is Specific (walking 50 feet), Measurable (50 feet
distance), Achievable (realistic for a patient with impaired mobility), Relevant
,(addresses the mobility problem), and Time-bound (by discharge). The student has
correctly included all necessary SMART components.
Question 3
A nurse enters a patient's room and observes that the patient is pale, diaphoretic, and
clutching their chest. The nurse immediately calls for assistance and prepares to obtain
vital signs. Which critical thinking skill is the nurse primarily demonstrating?
A. Analysis
B. Evaluation
C. Inference
D. Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is demonstrating analysis, which is the critical thinking skill of
breaking down data into components to identify patterns and relationships. By
recognizing the combination of pallor, diaphoresis, and chest clutching as potentially
indicative of a cardiac event, the nurse is analyzing the clinical presentation to
determine the appropriate immediate response. Inference would involve drawing
conclusions, evaluation involves assessing outcomes, and explanation involves
justifying reasoning.
, Question 4
A nurse is using evidence-based practice to develop a new protocol for preventing
pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit. Which action demonstrates the nurse is
applying evidence-based practice correctly?
A. Implementing a protocol solely because it was used at the nurse's previous hospital
B. Reviewing current research studies and combining findings with clinical expertise
and patient preferences
C. Following the physician's preference for wound care regardless of current research
D. Using the protocol that has been in place for the past 20 years because it is familiar
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best current research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences. Simply
implementing a protocol because it was used elsewhere, following physician preference
without evidence, or continuing a long-standing practice without evaluating current
research does not represent true evidence-based practice. The correct approach
combines research findings with professional judgment and patient-centered care.
Question 5
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients at the beginning of the shift. Which patient
should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient requesting a sleeping medication for insomnia
