NUR 2356 Final Exam 2 Actual Exam 2026/2027 –
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified –
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Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice (Questions 1–18)
Q1: The nursing process consists of five sequential steps that guide clinical decision-making. Which step
involves setting measurable, patient-centered goals based on the identified problems?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning [CORRECT]
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. Planning is the phase where nurses establish specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that directly address the nursing diagnoses identified during
the assessment and diagnosis phases—without clear goals, there's no way to evaluate whether care was
effective.
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood transfusion based on religious beliefs.
The patient is alert, oriented, and understands the risks of refusal. Which action best demonstrates
respect for patient autonomy?
A. Obtain a court order to administer the transfusion against the patient's wishes
B. Honor the patient's decision and document the informed refusal thoroughly [CORRECT]
C. Convince the family to override the patient's decision
D. Administer the transfusion when the patient is sedated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A competent adult has the right to refuse any treatment, and the
nurse's role is to ensure the patient understands the consequences, support their autonomy, and
document everything accurately—this is fundamental to ethical nursing practice and protects both the
patient and the nurse legally.
Correct Answer: B
,Q3: Which documentation entry best follows the standards for objective, factual charting?
A. "Patient seems depressed and unhappy about being here."
B. "Patient states, 'I don't want to live anymore,' and is crying intermittently." [CORRECT]
C. "Patient is probably faking pain to get more medication."
D. "Patient is difficult and uncooperative with all care."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Objective documentation records exactly what is observed or heard
without adding interpretation, judgment, or assumptions—quoting the patient's own words and
describing observable behaviors keeps the record factual and legally defensible.
Correct Answer: B
Q4: During a patient interview, the nurse notices the patient frequently looks away, gives short answers,
and fidgets with the bedsheet. Which therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use next?
A. Immediately switch to a structured questionnaire to gather data more efficiently
B. Use open-ended questions and allow silence to give the patient space to share [CORRECT]
C. Tell the patient that vague answers delay care and request specific responses
D. Skip the psychosocial assessment and proceed to the physical exam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. When a patient shows signs of anxiety or discomfort, open-ended
questions paired with intentional silence create a safe space for them to open up at their own pace—
rushing or forcing structure often shuts patients down rather than building the trust needed for a
thorough assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Q5: A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with impaired mobility. Which outcome statement is
written correctly using SMART criteria?
A. "The patient will walk better."
B. "The patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker without assistance by discharge." [CORRECT]
C. "The nurse will help the patient walk every day."
D. "The patient should try to walk more often."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A SMART outcome is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
time-bound—"ambulate 50 feet with a walker without assistance by discharge" gives a clear target that
can be evaluated objectively, unlike vague statements about "better" or "more often."
Correct Answer: B
,Q6: Which type of nursing diagnosis describes a problem that the patient is at risk for developing?
A. Actual nursing diagnosis
B. Risk nursing diagnosis [CORRECT]
C. Wellness nursing diagnosis
D. Syndrome nursing diagnosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A risk nursing diagnosis identifies a vulnerability to a potential problem
when the patient doesn't currently have defining characteristics but has risk factors—this allows nurses
to implement preventive interventions before the problem develops.
Correct Answer: B
Q7: A nurse is delegating tasks to a nursing assistant. Which task is most appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a postoperative patient's incision for signs of infection
B. Measuring and recording intake and output for a stable patient [CORRECT]
C. Administering oral medications to a patient with dysphagia
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient about insulin administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Measuring and recording I&O is within the scope of nursing assistant
practice and doesn't require clinical judgment or assessment skills—assessment, medication
administration, and patient teaching are all responsibilities that must remain with the licensed nurse.
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A patient with limited English proficiency is being discharged. The patient's adult child offers to
translate the discharge instructions. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Accept the child's offer since they know the patient best
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and provide translated written materials [CORRECT]
C. Ask the patient to sign the discharge instructions in English without translation
D. Simplify the instructions and speak very loudly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Family members may filter, omit, or misinterpret information, and
patients may withhold sensitive details—professional interpreters ensure accuracy and confidentiality
while keeping the patient at the center of their own care, which is the standard for safe discharge
planning.
Correct Answer: B
, Q9: Which statement best describes the purpose of critical thinking in nursing practice?
A. To follow physician orders without question
B. To analyze information, recognize patterns, and make sound clinical judgments [CORRECT]
C. To complete tasks as quickly as possible
D. To avoid making decisions independently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Critical thinking is the foundation of professional nursing—it involves
actively analyzing data, questioning assumptions, considering alternatives, and making reasoned
decisions that prioritize patient safety and outcomes, rather than simply following orders or rushing
through tasks.
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. The patient states, "I don't think I can ever go
out in public again." Which response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually."
B. "Tell me more about what concerns you most about being in public." [CORRECT]
C. "Lots of people live normal lives with colostomies—you'll be fine."
D. "Let's focus on your physical recovery first and worry about that later."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. When a patient expresses a fear or concern, the therapeutic response is
to explore it further rather than dismiss it, minimize it, or redirect—this shows the patient they were
heard and creates space for meaningful conversation about coping strategies and resources.
Correct Answer: B
Q11: Which type of health assessment is performed when a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility
and includes a complete head-to-toe examination?
A. Focused assessment
B. Emergency assessment
C. Comprehensive assessment [CORRECT]
D. Ongoing assessment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. A comprehensive assessment is the full initial evaluation performed at
admission, covering all body systems, health history, and psychosocial factors—it establishes the
baseline against which all subsequent assessments are compared.
Correct Answer: C
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified –
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice (Questions 1–18)
Q1: The nursing process consists of five sequential steps that guide clinical decision-making. Which step
involves setting measurable, patient-centered goals based on the identified problems?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning [CORRECT]
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. Planning is the phase where nurses establish specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that directly address the nursing diagnoses identified during
the assessment and diagnosis phases—without clear goals, there's no way to evaluate whether care was
effective.
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a prescribed blood transfusion based on religious beliefs.
The patient is alert, oriented, and understands the risks of refusal. Which action best demonstrates
respect for patient autonomy?
A. Obtain a court order to administer the transfusion against the patient's wishes
B. Honor the patient's decision and document the informed refusal thoroughly [CORRECT]
C. Convince the family to override the patient's decision
D. Administer the transfusion when the patient is sedated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A competent adult has the right to refuse any treatment, and the
nurse's role is to ensure the patient understands the consequences, support their autonomy, and
document everything accurately—this is fundamental to ethical nursing practice and protects both the
patient and the nurse legally.
Correct Answer: B
,Q3: Which documentation entry best follows the standards for objective, factual charting?
A. "Patient seems depressed and unhappy about being here."
B. "Patient states, 'I don't want to live anymore,' and is crying intermittently." [CORRECT]
C. "Patient is probably faking pain to get more medication."
D. "Patient is difficult and uncooperative with all care."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Objective documentation records exactly what is observed or heard
without adding interpretation, judgment, or assumptions—quoting the patient's own words and
describing observable behaviors keeps the record factual and legally defensible.
Correct Answer: B
Q4: During a patient interview, the nurse notices the patient frequently looks away, gives short answers,
and fidgets with the bedsheet. Which therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use next?
A. Immediately switch to a structured questionnaire to gather data more efficiently
B. Use open-ended questions and allow silence to give the patient space to share [CORRECT]
C. Tell the patient that vague answers delay care and request specific responses
D. Skip the psychosocial assessment and proceed to the physical exam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. When a patient shows signs of anxiety or discomfort, open-ended
questions paired with intentional silence create a safe space for them to open up at their own pace—
rushing or forcing structure often shuts patients down rather than building the trust needed for a
thorough assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Q5: A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with impaired mobility. Which outcome statement is
written correctly using SMART criteria?
A. "The patient will walk better."
B. "The patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker without assistance by discharge." [CORRECT]
C. "The nurse will help the patient walk every day."
D. "The patient should try to walk more often."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A SMART outcome is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
time-bound—"ambulate 50 feet with a walker without assistance by discharge" gives a clear target that
can be evaluated objectively, unlike vague statements about "better" or "more often."
Correct Answer: B
,Q6: Which type of nursing diagnosis describes a problem that the patient is at risk for developing?
A. Actual nursing diagnosis
B. Risk nursing diagnosis [CORRECT]
C. Wellness nursing diagnosis
D. Syndrome nursing diagnosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. A risk nursing diagnosis identifies a vulnerability to a potential problem
when the patient doesn't currently have defining characteristics but has risk factors—this allows nurses
to implement preventive interventions before the problem develops.
Correct Answer: B
Q7: A nurse is delegating tasks to a nursing assistant. Which task is most appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a postoperative patient's incision for signs of infection
B. Measuring and recording intake and output for a stable patient [CORRECT]
C. Administering oral medications to a patient with dysphagia
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient about insulin administration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Measuring and recording I&O is within the scope of nursing assistant
practice and doesn't require clinical judgment or assessment skills—assessment, medication
administration, and patient teaching are all responsibilities that must remain with the licensed nurse.
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A patient with limited English proficiency is being discharged. The patient's adult child offers to
translate the discharge instructions. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Accept the child's offer since they know the patient best
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and provide translated written materials [CORRECT]
C. Ask the patient to sign the discharge instructions in English without translation
D. Simplify the instructions and speak very loudly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Family members may filter, omit, or misinterpret information, and
patients may withhold sensitive details—professional interpreters ensure accuracy and confidentiality
while keeping the patient at the center of their own care, which is the standard for safe discharge
planning.
Correct Answer: B
, Q9: Which statement best describes the purpose of critical thinking in nursing practice?
A. To follow physician orders without question
B. To analyze information, recognize patterns, and make sound clinical judgments [CORRECT]
C. To complete tasks as quickly as possible
D. To avoid making decisions independently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Critical thinking is the foundation of professional nursing—it involves
actively analyzing data, questioning assumptions, considering alternatives, and making reasoned
decisions that prioritize patient safety and outcomes, rather than simply following orders or rushing
through tasks.
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. The patient states, "I don't think I can ever go
out in public again." Which response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually."
B. "Tell me more about what concerns you most about being in public." [CORRECT]
C. "Lots of people live normal lives with colostomies—you'll be fine."
D. "Let's focus on your physical recovery first and worry about that later."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. When a patient expresses a fear or concern, the therapeutic response is
to explore it further rather than dismiss it, minimize it, or redirect—this shows the patient they were
heard and creates space for meaningful conversation about coping strategies and resources.
Correct Answer: B
Q11: Which type of health assessment is performed when a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility
and includes a complete head-to-toe examination?
A. Focused assessment
B. Emergency assessment
C. Comprehensive assessment [CORRECT]
D. Ongoing assessment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. A comprehensive assessment is the full initial evaluation performed at
admission, covering all body systems, health history, and psychosocial factors—it establishes the
baseline against which all subsequent assessments are compared.
Correct Answer: C
