APUS NURS310 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Assessment
Evaluation Clinical Decision-Making Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a
newly admitted patient. Which of the following is the first step in the nursing
process?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
systematic collection of subjective and objective data to understand a
patient's health status and identify potential problems.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I can't catch my breath." This
statement is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Historical data
D) Clinical data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient, such as
their perceptions, feelings, and descriptions of symptoms.
3. A nurse observes that a patient's skin is cool and clammy. This observation
is an example of which type of data?
A) Subjective data
B) Historical data
C) Objective data
,D) Reported data
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable findings that the
nurse obtains through physical assessment, such as vital signs, inspection,
and palpation.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which of the following is the most
reliable indicator of pain?
A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's facial expression
C) The patient's self-report of pain
D) The nurse's clinical judgment
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain
is a subjective experience, and the patient's own description is the gold
standard for assessment.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who has difficulty understanding medical
terminology. Which of the following communication strategies is most
appropriate?
A) Use complex medical jargon to explain the condition
B) Provide written materials with advanced terminology
C) Use simple, clear language and teach-back methods
D) Ask a family member to explain the information
Correct Answer: Use simple, clear language and teach-back methods
Rationale: Effective communication involves adapting to the patient's level of
understanding. Using simple language and the teach-back method (asking
the patient to repeat information in their own words) helps confirm
understanding.
,6. A nurse is preparing to interview a patient from a different cultural
background. Which of the following actions demonstrates cultural
competence?
A) Assuming the patient shares the same beliefs as the nurse
B) Avoiding discussions about the patient's cultural background
C) Asking the patient about their health beliefs and practices
D) Relying solely on the family's interpretation of the patient's wishes
Correct Answer: Asking the patient about their health beliefs and practices
Rationale: Cultural competence involves actively seeking to understand a
patient's cultural beliefs, values, and practices to provide respectful and
effective care.
7. A nurse notices that a patient's health information has been accessed by a
staff member not involved in the patient's care. This is a violation of which
federal law?
A) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
B) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
C) The Nurse Practice Act
D) The Americans with Disabilities Act
Correct Answer: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA)
Rationale: HIPAA establishes national standards to protect individuals'
medical records and other personal health information. Unauthorized access
is a violation of HIPAA.
8. A patient refuses a blood transfusion based on their religious beliefs. The
nurse respects this decision. This action is based on which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
, D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects a patient's right to self-determination and to
make their own healthcare decisions, even if those decisions are not in their
best medical interest.
9. The nurse is assessing a patient who is newly admitted and is having
difficulty providing a health history due to anxiety. Which of the following
techniques should the nurse use to facilitate communication?
A) Speak loudly and quickly
B) Ask closed-ended questions only
C) Use active listening and provide a calm environment
D) Avoid making eye contact
Correct Answer: Use active listening and provide a calm environment
Rationale: Active listening and a calm environment help reduce anxiety and
facilitate communication. Active listening involves paying attention,
providing feedback, and showing empathy.
10. When using the SBAR communication tool to report a patient's change in
condition to a physician, what does the "B" stand for?
A) Background
B) Biometrics
C) Behavior
D) Breathing
Correct Answer: Background
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool that stands for
Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It provides a
framework for clear and concise communication between healthcare
providers.
Evaluation Clinical Decision-Making Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a
newly admitted patient. Which of the following is the first step in the nursing
process?
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
systematic collection of subjective and objective data to understand a
patient's health status and identify potential problems.
2. A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I can't catch my breath." This
statement is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Historical data
D) Clinical data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient, such as
their perceptions, feelings, and descriptions of symptoms.
3. A nurse observes that a patient's skin is cool and clammy. This observation
is an example of which type of data?
A) Subjective data
B) Historical data
C) Objective data
,D) Reported data
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable findings that the
nurse obtains through physical assessment, such as vital signs, inspection,
and palpation.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which of the following is the most
reliable indicator of pain?
A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's facial expression
C) The patient's self-report of pain
D) The nurse's clinical judgment
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain
is a subjective experience, and the patient's own description is the gold
standard for assessment.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who has difficulty understanding medical
terminology. Which of the following communication strategies is most
appropriate?
A) Use complex medical jargon to explain the condition
B) Provide written materials with advanced terminology
C) Use simple, clear language and teach-back methods
D) Ask a family member to explain the information
Correct Answer: Use simple, clear language and teach-back methods
Rationale: Effective communication involves adapting to the patient's level of
understanding. Using simple language and the teach-back method (asking
the patient to repeat information in their own words) helps confirm
understanding.
,6. A nurse is preparing to interview a patient from a different cultural
background. Which of the following actions demonstrates cultural
competence?
A) Assuming the patient shares the same beliefs as the nurse
B) Avoiding discussions about the patient's cultural background
C) Asking the patient about their health beliefs and practices
D) Relying solely on the family's interpretation of the patient's wishes
Correct Answer: Asking the patient about their health beliefs and practices
Rationale: Cultural competence involves actively seeking to understand a
patient's cultural beliefs, values, and practices to provide respectful and
effective care.
7. A nurse notices that a patient's health information has been accessed by a
staff member not involved in the patient's care. This is a violation of which
federal law?
A) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
B) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
C) The Nurse Practice Act
D) The Americans with Disabilities Act
Correct Answer: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA)
Rationale: HIPAA establishes national standards to protect individuals'
medical records and other personal health information. Unauthorized access
is a violation of HIPAA.
8. A patient refuses a blood transfusion based on their religious beliefs. The
nurse respects this decision. This action is based on which ethical principle?
A) Beneficence
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Autonomy
, D) Justice
Correct Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects a patient's right to self-determination and to
make their own healthcare decisions, even if those decisions are not in their
best medical interest.
9. The nurse is assessing a patient who is newly admitted and is having
difficulty providing a health history due to anxiety. Which of the following
techniques should the nurse use to facilitate communication?
A) Speak loudly and quickly
B) Ask closed-ended questions only
C) Use active listening and provide a calm environment
D) Avoid making eye contact
Correct Answer: Use active listening and provide a calm environment
Rationale: Active listening and a calm environment help reduce anxiety and
facilitate communication. Active listening involves paying attention,
providing feedback, and showing empathy.
10. When using the SBAR communication tool to report a patient's change in
condition to a physician, what does the "B" stand for?
A) Background
B) Biometrics
C) Behavior
D) Breathing
Correct Answer: Background
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool that stands for
Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It provides a
framework for clear and concise communication between healthcare
providers.
