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PROFESSIONAL NURSING: CONCEPTS & CHALLENGES, 9TH
EDITION (BLACK) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PROFESSIONAL NURSING: CONCEPTS & CHALLENGES, 9TH EDITION (BLACK)
EXAMINATION
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: NURSING IN TODAY’S EVOLVING HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT
(Questions 1-40)
Question 1
Which of the following could eventually change the historical status of nursing as a
female-dominated profession?
A) More men graduating from baccalaureate and higher degree programs
B) The proportion of men in nursing beginning to increase
C) More male graduates of basic nursing programs entering the workplace
D) Salary compensation increasing to attract more men
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The more men who enter the workplace as nurses,
the less nursing will be seen as a female-dominated profession . Associate degree
programs produce the majority of new graduates, making "more men graduating from
baccalaureate programs" less impactful in changing the profession's gender
demographics. Salary rates do not appear to relate to the recruitment of men into
nursing .
Question 2
The racial and ethnic composition of the nursing profession will change to more
accurately reflect the population as a whole when:
A) The increased numbers of racial and ethnic minorities enrolled in educational
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programs graduate and begin to practice
B) The number of Asians or Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders begins to increase
C) The percentage of African-American and Hispanic nurses decreases more than the
percentage of White nurses
D) The non-White portion of the general population decreases
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A larger percentage of minorities are enrolled in
nursing educational programs than previously, so their graduation and entry into
practice will diversify the workforce . Asians and Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders are
already overrepresented in nursing compared to their percentage of the general
population. The non-White portion of the population is not likely to decrease.
Question 3
Which of the following is a correct statement about the registered nurse (RN)
population?
A) The racial/ethnic composition of RNs closely resembles that of the general
population
B) The number of men entering nursing has decreased steadily over the last decade
C) The rate of aging of RNs has slowed for the first time in the past 30 years
D) The majority of employed RNs working full time must work a second position
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The average age of RNs remained stable in both
2004 and 2008 at 46, indicating the rate of aging has slowed due to numbers of RNs
under 30 entering the workforce . The racial/ethnic composition of RNs is increasing but
does not approximate the general population. The number of men entering nursing is
increasing, not decreasing . Only 12% of nurses working full time hold second
positions .
Question 4
Which of the following best describes trends in nursing education?
A) Numbers of RNs with bachelors and higher degrees are increasing
B) Numbers of RNs with associate degrees are decreasing
C) Foreign-born nurses practicing in the United States are seen as less knowledgeable
because of their lesser educational preparation
D) Numbers of RNs with diploma educations are increasing
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Slightly over 50% of RNs eventually obtain their BSN
or a higher nursing degree . The majority of nurses get their initial education in ADN
programs, so the number of RNs with associate degrees is not decreasing. Foreign-born
nurses may be viewed as less knowledgeable by peers due to language and cultural
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differences, not educational preparation. Diploma-educated nurses are declining in
number .
Question 5
Despite the variety of work settings available to the RN, data from 2008 indicate
that the primary work site for RNs is:
A) Ambulatory care settings
B) Community health settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Acute care hospitals
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Statistics show that 62.2% of RNs work in acute
care hospitals . Ambulatory care settings account for about 10.5%, public health and
community health settings account for 7.8%, and long-term care facilities account for
5.3% .
Question 6
One important advantage of clinical ladder programs for hospital-based RNs is that
they:
A) Allow career advancement for nurses who choose to remain at the bedside
B) Encourage nurses to move into management positions
C) Provide financial incentives for nurses to pursue graduate education
D) Mandate continuing education for all nursing staff
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Clinical ladder programs provide opportunities for
career advancement for nurses who wish to remain at the bedside, recognizing clinical
excellence rather than requiring movement into management . This helps retain
experienced nurses in direct patient care roles.
Question 7
The most rapid growth in the health care sector is occurring in which setting?
A) Acute care hospitals
B) Ambulatory care settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Home health care
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The most rapid growth in the health care sector is
occurring in ambulatory care settings, reflecting the shift from inpatient to outpatient
care. This growth is driven by technological advances, cost containment pressures, and
patient preference for community-based care.
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Question 8
Which of the following is a factor contributing to the nursing shortage?
A) Aging of the nursing workforce
B) Insufficient faculty to teach nursing students
C) Increasing demand for health care services
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nursing shortage is caused by multiple factors:
the aging of the nursing workforce (with many nurses approaching retirement),
insufficient faculty to educate new nurses, and increasing demand for health care
services due to an aging population and expanded access to care. These factors
combine to create a persistent and growing shortage.
Question 9
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report "The Future of Nursing" recommended that:
A) 80% of RNs should hold a BSN by 2020
B) Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training
C) Residency programs should be established for new graduates
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The IOM report made several key
recommendations: increasing the proportion of RNs with BSN degrees to 80% by 2020,
removing scope-of-practice barriers so nurses can practice to the full extent of their
education, and implementing nurse residency programs for new graduates. These
recommendations aim to transform nursing practice and improve patient care.
Question 10
The primary work site for RNs, according to data from 2008, is:
A) Ambulatory care settings
B) Community health settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Acute care hospitals
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Statistics show that 62.2% of RNs work in acute
care hospitals . Ambulatory care settings account for about 10.5%, public health and
community health settings account for 7.8%, and long-term care facilities account for
5.3% .
PROFESSIONAL NURSING: CONCEPTS & CHALLENGES, 9TH
EDITION (BLACK) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PROFESSIONAL NURSING: CONCEPTS & CHALLENGES, 9TH EDITION (BLACK)
EXAMINATION
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: NURSING IN TODAY’S EVOLVING HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT
(Questions 1-40)
Question 1
Which of the following could eventually change the historical status of nursing as a
female-dominated profession?
A) More men graduating from baccalaureate and higher degree programs
B) The proportion of men in nursing beginning to increase
C) More male graduates of basic nursing programs entering the workplace
D) Salary compensation increasing to attract more men
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The more men who enter the workplace as nurses,
the less nursing will be seen as a female-dominated profession . Associate degree
programs produce the majority of new graduates, making "more men graduating from
baccalaureate programs" less impactful in changing the profession's gender
demographics. Salary rates do not appear to relate to the recruitment of men into
nursing .
Question 2
The racial and ethnic composition of the nursing profession will change to more
accurately reflect the population as a whole when:
A) The increased numbers of racial and ethnic minorities enrolled in educational
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programs graduate and begin to practice
B) The number of Asians or Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders begins to increase
C) The percentage of African-American and Hispanic nurses decreases more than the
percentage of White nurses
D) The non-White portion of the general population decreases
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A larger percentage of minorities are enrolled in
nursing educational programs than previously, so their graduation and entry into
practice will diversify the workforce . Asians and Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders are
already overrepresented in nursing compared to their percentage of the general
population. The non-White portion of the population is not likely to decrease.
Question 3
Which of the following is a correct statement about the registered nurse (RN)
population?
A) The racial/ethnic composition of RNs closely resembles that of the general
population
B) The number of men entering nursing has decreased steadily over the last decade
C) The rate of aging of RNs has slowed for the first time in the past 30 years
D) The majority of employed RNs working full time must work a second position
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The average age of RNs remained stable in both
2004 and 2008 at 46, indicating the rate of aging has slowed due to numbers of RNs
under 30 entering the workforce . The racial/ethnic composition of RNs is increasing but
does not approximate the general population. The number of men entering nursing is
increasing, not decreasing . Only 12% of nurses working full time hold second
positions .
Question 4
Which of the following best describes trends in nursing education?
A) Numbers of RNs with bachelors and higher degrees are increasing
B) Numbers of RNs with associate degrees are decreasing
C) Foreign-born nurses practicing in the United States are seen as less knowledgeable
because of their lesser educational preparation
D) Numbers of RNs with diploma educations are increasing
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Slightly over 50% of RNs eventually obtain their BSN
or a higher nursing degree . The majority of nurses get their initial education in ADN
programs, so the number of RNs with associate degrees is not decreasing. Foreign-born
nurses may be viewed as less knowledgeable by peers due to language and cultural
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differences, not educational preparation. Diploma-educated nurses are declining in
number .
Question 5
Despite the variety of work settings available to the RN, data from 2008 indicate
that the primary work site for RNs is:
A) Ambulatory care settings
B) Community health settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Acute care hospitals
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Statistics show that 62.2% of RNs work in acute
care hospitals . Ambulatory care settings account for about 10.5%, public health and
community health settings account for 7.8%, and long-term care facilities account for
5.3% .
Question 6
One important advantage of clinical ladder programs for hospital-based RNs is that
they:
A) Allow career advancement for nurses who choose to remain at the bedside
B) Encourage nurses to move into management positions
C) Provide financial incentives for nurses to pursue graduate education
D) Mandate continuing education for all nursing staff
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Clinical ladder programs provide opportunities for
career advancement for nurses who wish to remain at the bedside, recognizing clinical
excellence rather than requiring movement into management . This helps retain
experienced nurses in direct patient care roles.
Question 7
The most rapid growth in the health care sector is occurring in which setting?
A) Acute care hospitals
B) Ambulatory care settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Home health care
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The most rapid growth in the health care sector is
occurring in ambulatory care settings, reflecting the shift from inpatient to outpatient
care. This growth is driven by technological advances, cost containment pressures, and
patient preference for community-based care.
, Page 4 of 76
Question 8
Which of the following is a factor contributing to the nursing shortage?
A) Aging of the nursing workforce
B) Insufficient faculty to teach nursing students
C) Increasing demand for health care services
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nursing shortage is caused by multiple factors:
the aging of the nursing workforce (with many nurses approaching retirement),
insufficient faculty to educate new nurses, and increasing demand for health care
services due to an aging population and expanded access to care. These factors
combine to create a persistent and growing shortage.
Question 9
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report "The Future of Nursing" recommended that:
A) 80% of RNs should hold a BSN by 2020
B) Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training
C) Residency programs should be established for new graduates
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The IOM report made several key
recommendations: increasing the proportion of RNs with BSN degrees to 80% by 2020,
removing scope-of-practice barriers so nurses can practice to the full extent of their
education, and implementing nurse residency programs for new graduates. These
recommendations aim to transform nursing practice and improve patient care.
Question 10
The primary work site for RNs, according to data from 2008, is:
A) Ambulatory care settings
B) Community health settings
C) Long-term care facilities
D) Acute care hospitals
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Statistics show that 62.2% of RNs work in acute
care hospitals . Ambulatory care settings account for about 10.5%, public health and
community health settings account for 7.8%, and long-term care facilities account for
5.3% .
