NU 136/NU136 EXAM 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING 2026: COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse collects vital signs, auscultates lung sounds, and asks the patient about pain.
These actions represent which step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Assessment
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
2. After analyzing assessment data, the nurse identifies the patient's risk for falls. This
action falls under which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
,Correct Answer: B
3. A nurse writes, "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the shift." This is
an example of a:
A) Nursing diagnosis
B) Goal statement
C) Nursing intervention
D) Evaluation criterion
Correct Answer: B
4. The nurse checks the patient's pain level 30 minutes after administering pain
medication. This action represents which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
5. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility." Which
statement represents an appropriate goal?
A) Patient will be turned every 2 hours
, B) Nurse will apply barrier cream to pressure areas
C) Patient will have intact skin without redness by day 3
D) Patient understands the importance of skin care
Correct Answer: C
6. The nurse is prioritizing patient care using Maslow's hierarchy. Which patient should the
nurse address first?
A) A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B) A patient asking about support groups for grieving
C) A patient with an oxygen saturation of 88%
D) A patient wanting to discuss advance directives
Correct Answer: C
7. Which statement by the nurse is an example of subjective data?
A) "Blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg"
B) "Patient reports pain as 7 on a 0-10 scale"
C) "Wound appears red and swollen"
D) "Patient temperature is 98.6°F"
Correct Answer: B
8. A nurse assesses a patient's vital signs, reviews laboratory values, and performs a head-
to-toe assessment. The nurse is in which phase of the nursing process?
NURSING 2026: COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse collects vital signs, auscultates lung sounds, and asks the patient about pain.
These actions represent which step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Assessment
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
2. After analyzing assessment data, the nurse identifies the patient's risk for falls. This
action falls under which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
,Correct Answer: B
3. A nurse writes, "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the shift." This is
an example of a:
A) Nursing diagnosis
B) Goal statement
C) Nursing intervention
D) Evaluation criterion
Correct Answer: B
4. The nurse checks the patient's pain level 30 minutes after administering pain
medication. This action represents which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
5. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility." Which
statement represents an appropriate goal?
A) Patient will be turned every 2 hours
, B) Nurse will apply barrier cream to pressure areas
C) Patient will have intact skin without redness by day 3
D) Patient understands the importance of skin care
Correct Answer: C
6. The nurse is prioritizing patient care using Maslow's hierarchy. Which patient should the
nurse address first?
A) A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B) A patient asking about support groups for grieving
C) A patient with an oxygen saturation of 88%
D) A patient wanting to discuss advance directives
Correct Answer: C
7. Which statement by the nurse is an example of subjective data?
A) "Blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg"
B) "Patient reports pain as 7 on a 0-10 scale"
C) "Wound appears red and swollen"
D) "Patient temperature is 98.6°F"
Correct Answer: B
8. A nurse assesses a patient's vital signs, reviews laboratory values, and performs a head-
to-toe assessment. The nurse is in which phase of the nursing process?
