NSG 550 Exam 1 – Wilkes Diagnostic Reasoning (2026) | 250 Questions &
Answers
Practice Questions 1–250
Clinical Decision Making & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–30)
1. Clinical decision making involves which of the following components?
A) The patient only
B) The clinical problem only
C) The patient, clinical problem, and practitioner's perspective
D) The practitioner's perspective only
Answer C: The patient, clinical problem, and practitioner's perspective
Rationale: Clinical decision making is multifaceted, encompassing all three
components. ---
2. What is knowledge in the context of clinical reasoning?
,A) Memorization of facts
B) Integration of theory, research, personal and professional experience,
cognitive processes, and reflective inquiry
C) Only research evidence
D) Only clinical experience
Answer B: Integration of theory, research, personal and professional
experience, cognitive processes, and reflective inquiry
Rationale: Knowledge is the integration of multiple sources to inform sound
clinical decisions. ---
3. What is metacognition?
A) The ability to memorize facts
B) The combination of knowledge and cognition
C) The ability to perform physical exams
D) The ability to order tests
Answer B: The combination of knowledge and cognition
Rationale: Metacognition is the combination of knowledge and cognition and
is required for clinical reasoning. ---
4. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the NP's role in critical thinking?
A) The NP does not need to critically think
,B) The NP must be able to critically think and integrate clinical judgment for
clinical decision making
C) The NP only needs to follow protocols
D) The NP relies solely on algorithms
Answer B: The NP must be able to critically think and integrate clinical
judgment for clinical decision making
Rationale: To be effective as an NP, one must be able to critically think and
integrate clinical judgment. ---
5. What should the NP collect data from to develop a health history?
A) Only the patient's medical records
B) The patient through therapeutic communication skills
C) Only the family members
D) Only the referring provider
Answer B: The patient through therapeutic communication skills
Rationale: The NP must collect data and develop a health history using
therapeutic communication skills. ---
6. The NP must be able to complete which type of examination?
A) Mental status examination only
B) A physical examination
, C) A psychological examination only
D) A social examination only
Answer B: A physical examination
Rationale: The NP must complete a physical examination as part of diagnostic
reasoning. ---
7. The NP must be able to _____ diagnostic studies to formulate diagnoses.
A) Order
B) Interpret
C) Perform
D) Bill
Answer B: Interpret
Rationale: The NP must interpret diagnostic studies to formulate diagnoses. --
-
8. Which of the following is NOT a factor to consider when ordering tests?
A) Accuracy
B) Precision
C) Sensitivity
D) Cost only
Answer D: Cost only
Answers
Practice Questions 1–250
Clinical Decision Making & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–30)
1. Clinical decision making involves which of the following components?
A) The patient only
B) The clinical problem only
C) The patient, clinical problem, and practitioner's perspective
D) The practitioner's perspective only
Answer C: The patient, clinical problem, and practitioner's perspective
Rationale: Clinical decision making is multifaceted, encompassing all three
components. ---
2. What is knowledge in the context of clinical reasoning?
,A) Memorization of facts
B) Integration of theory, research, personal and professional experience,
cognitive processes, and reflective inquiry
C) Only research evidence
D) Only clinical experience
Answer B: Integration of theory, research, personal and professional
experience, cognitive processes, and reflective inquiry
Rationale: Knowledge is the integration of multiple sources to inform sound
clinical decisions. ---
3. What is metacognition?
A) The ability to memorize facts
B) The combination of knowledge and cognition
C) The ability to perform physical exams
D) The ability to order tests
Answer B: The combination of knowledge and cognition
Rationale: Metacognition is the combination of knowledge and cognition and
is required for clinical reasoning. ---
4. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the NP's role in critical thinking?
A) The NP does not need to critically think
,B) The NP must be able to critically think and integrate clinical judgment for
clinical decision making
C) The NP only needs to follow protocols
D) The NP relies solely on algorithms
Answer B: The NP must be able to critically think and integrate clinical
judgment for clinical decision making
Rationale: To be effective as an NP, one must be able to critically think and
integrate clinical judgment. ---
5. What should the NP collect data from to develop a health history?
A) Only the patient's medical records
B) The patient through therapeutic communication skills
C) Only the family members
D) Only the referring provider
Answer B: The patient through therapeutic communication skills
Rationale: The NP must collect data and develop a health history using
therapeutic communication skills. ---
6. The NP must be able to complete which type of examination?
A) Mental status examination only
B) A physical examination
, C) A psychological examination only
D) A social examination only
Answer B: A physical examination
Rationale: The NP must complete a physical examination as part of diagnostic
reasoning. ---
7. The NP must be able to _____ diagnostic studies to formulate diagnoses.
A) Order
B) Interpret
C) Perform
D) Bill
Answer B: Interpret
Rationale: The NP must interpret diagnostic studies to formulate diagnoses. --
-
8. Which of the following is NOT a factor to consider when ordering tests?
A) Accuracy
B) Precision
C) Sensitivity
D) Cost only
Answer D: Cost only
