APUS NURS 330 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is using a problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making
that incorporates the best available evidence, patient preferences, and
clinical expertise. This approach is known as:
A) The nursing process
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Clinical reasoning
D) The scientific method
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to
clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences.
2. A patient is thinking about making a change in their health behavior but
has not yet taken any action. According to the Transtheoretical Model of
Change, which stage is this patient in?
A) Pre-contemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Correct Answer: Contemplation
Rationale: The contemplation stage is characterized by the individual
thinking about making a change within the next six months. They are aware
of the pros and cons but have not yet committed to action.
3. A nurse has assessed a patient, identified a problem, and is now deciding
on the most appropriate course of action and implementing it. According to
Tanner's model of clinical judgment, which stage is the nurse in?
A) Noticing
B) Interpreting
,C) Responding
D) Reflecting
Correct Answer: Responding
Rationale: Tanner's model of clinical judgment includes four stages: noticing,
interpreting, responding, and reflecting. The responding stage involves
deciding on an appropriate course of action and implementing it.
4. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a new evidence-based protocol
for preventing pressure ulcers. This activity is an example of which step in
the evidence-based practice process?
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Acquiring the best evidence
C) Appraising the evidence
D) Evaluating the outcome
Correct Answer: Evaluating the outcome
Rationale: The final step of the EBP process involves evaluating the
effectiveness of the implemented change in practice and making
adjustments as needed.
5. The "I" in the PICOT format for formulating a clinical question stands for:
A) Intervention
B) Implementation
C) Investigation
D) Integration
Correct Answer: Intervention
Rationale: PICOT stands for Patient population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. The "I" represents the specific intervention being
considered.
,6. A nurse is providing care to a patient with a chronic illness. The nurse
understands that the goal of chronic illness management is to:
A) Cure the condition
B) Minimize the impact on the patient's life
C) Prevent all exacerbations
D) Hospitalize the patient for all exacerbations
Correct Answer: Minimize the impact on the patient's life
Rationale: Chronic illness management focuses on minimizing the impact on
the patient's life by managing symptoms, preventing complications, and
promoting quality of life.
7. Benner's Novice to Expert model describes stages of nursing proficiency. A
nurse with 2-3 years of experience who can see the "big picture" and
manage complex situations is at which level?
A) Novice
B) Advanced Beginner
C) Competent
D) Proficient
Correct Answer: Competent
Rationale: Benner's stages include novice (student), advanced beginner
(graduate), competent (2-3 years of experience), proficient (nursing faculty),
and expert.
8. A nurse is using a concept-based learning approach. The nurse
understands that a concept is:
A) A specific fact that is not transferable
B) A mental construct drawn from a topic that is transferable to other
situations
C) A topic that is specific and not transferable
D) A generalization that is supported by facts
, Correct Answer: A mental construct drawn from a topic that is transferable to
other situations
Rationale: Concepts are mental constructs drawn from a topic that are
transferable to other situations, helping to expand thinking and problem-
solving.
9. A nurse is applying Kolcaba's Comfort Theory. The nurse understands that
the dimensions of comfort include:
A) Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual
B) Physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental
C) Physical, psychological, social, and cultural
D) Relief, ease, and satisfaction
Correct Answer: Physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental
Rationale: Kolcaba's Comfort Theory includes four dimensions of comfort:
physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental.
10. A nurse is using the nursing process. The nurse understands that the
diagnosis phase involves:
A) Collecting data about the patient
B) Identifying the patient's response to a health problem
C) Developing a plan of care
D) Implementing interventions
Correct Answer: Identifying the patient's response to a health problem
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis phase involves identifying the patient's
response to a health problem, not a medical diagnosis.
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1. A nurse is using a problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making
that incorporates the best available evidence, patient preferences, and
clinical expertise. This approach is known as:
A) The nursing process
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Clinical reasoning
D) The scientific method
Correct Answer: Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to
clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence
with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences.
2. A patient is thinking about making a change in their health behavior but
has not yet taken any action. According to the Transtheoretical Model of
Change, which stage is this patient in?
A) Pre-contemplation
B) Contemplation
C) Preparation
D) Action
Correct Answer: Contemplation
Rationale: The contemplation stage is characterized by the individual
thinking about making a change within the next six months. They are aware
of the pros and cons but have not yet committed to action.
3. A nurse has assessed a patient, identified a problem, and is now deciding
on the most appropriate course of action and implementing it. According to
Tanner's model of clinical judgment, which stage is the nurse in?
A) Noticing
B) Interpreting
,C) Responding
D) Reflecting
Correct Answer: Responding
Rationale: Tanner's model of clinical judgment includes four stages: noticing,
interpreting, responding, and reflecting. The responding stage involves
deciding on an appropriate course of action and implementing it.
4. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a new evidence-based protocol
for preventing pressure ulcers. This activity is an example of which step in
the evidence-based practice process?
A) Asking a clinical question
B) Acquiring the best evidence
C) Appraising the evidence
D) Evaluating the outcome
Correct Answer: Evaluating the outcome
Rationale: The final step of the EBP process involves evaluating the
effectiveness of the implemented change in practice and making
adjustments as needed.
5. The "I" in the PICOT format for formulating a clinical question stands for:
A) Intervention
B) Implementation
C) Investigation
D) Integration
Correct Answer: Intervention
Rationale: PICOT stands for Patient population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. The "I" represents the specific intervention being
considered.
,6. A nurse is providing care to a patient with a chronic illness. The nurse
understands that the goal of chronic illness management is to:
A) Cure the condition
B) Minimize the impact on the patient's life
C) Prevent all exacerbations
D) Hospitalize the patient for all exacerbations
Correct Answer: Minimize the impact on the patient's life
Rationale: Chronic illness management focuses on minimizing the impact on
the patient's life by managing symptoms, preventing complications, and
promoting quality of life.
7. Benner's Novice to Expert model describes stages of nursing proficiency. A
nurse with 2-3 years of experience who can see the "big picture" and
manage complex situations is at which level?
A) Novice
B) Advanced Beginner
C) Competent
D) Proficient
Correct Answer: Competent
Rationale: Benner's stages include novice (student), advanced beginner
(graduate), competent (2-3 years of experience), proficient (nursing faculty),
and expert.
8. A nurse is using a concept-based learning approach. The nurse
understands that a concept is:
A) A specific fact that is not transferable
B) A mental construct drawn from a topic that is transferable to other
situations
C) A topic that is specific and not transferable
D) A generalization that is supported by facts
, Correct Answer: A mental construct drawn from a topic that is transferable to
other situations
Rationale: Concepts are mental constructs drawn from a topic that are
transferable to other situations, helping to expand thinking and problem-
solving.
9. A nurse is applying Kolcaba's Comfort Theory. The nurse understands that
the dimensions of comfort include:
A) Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual
B) Physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental
C) Physical, psychological, social, and cultural
D) Relief, ease, and satisfaction
Correct Answer: Physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental
Rationale: Kolcaba's Comfort Theory includes four dimensions of comfort:
physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental.
10. A nurse is using the nursing process. The nurse understands that the
diagnosis phase involves:
A) Collecting data about the patient
B) Identifying the patient's response to a health problem
C) Developing a plan of care
D) Implementing interventions
Correct Answer: Identifying the patient's response to a health problem
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis phase involves identifying the patient's
response to a health problem, not a medical diagnosis.
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