NSG 4800 Comprehensive Exit
Examination Study Guide: Evidence-
Based Practice Questions with
Detailed Rationales, Nursing
Interventions, and Priority-Setting
Strategies for Galen College of
Nursing – Summer 2026 Semester
Question 1: Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory, emphasizing
the patient's ability to perform self-care activities?
A) Sister Callista Roy
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Madeleine Leininger
D) Jean Watson
Answer: B) Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory identifies when nursing is needed—when a
patient cannot meet their own self-care demands. Roy (A) developed the Adaptation
Model. Leininger (C) developed the Theory of Culture Care. Watson (D) developed the
Theory of Human Caring .
,Question 2: The nurse is caring for a patient who is unable to perform any activities of
daily living due to a severe stroke. Which of Orem's nursing systems is most
appropriate?
A) Supportive-educative
B) Wholly compensatory
C) Partially compensatory
D) Collaborative
Answer: B) Wholly compensatory
Rationale: Wholly compensatory nursing is required when the patient is unable to
perform any self-care activities and the nurse must provide total care. Partially
compensatory (C) is when both nurse and patient participate. Supportive-educative (A)
is when the patient can perform self-care but needs teaching and support .
Question 3: According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), the definition of
nursing includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Protection, promotion, and optimization of health
B) Prevention of illness and injury
C) Prescribing medications independently
D) Advocacy in the care of individuals, families, and communities
Answer: C) Prescribing medications independently
Rationale: The ANA defines nursing as the protection, promotion, and optimization of
health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering, and
advocacy. Independent prescribing (C) is within the scope of advanced practice
registered nurses with prescriptive authority, not all nurses .
Question 4: A nurse is implementing Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which action
best demonstrates a "carative factor"?
,A) Administering medications on time
B) Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
C) Documenting care accurately in the electronic health record
D) Following the facility's infection control policies
Answer: B) Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
Rationale: Watson's carative factors emphasize the humanistic aspects of nursing, such
as the development of a helping-trusting relationship, the promotion of interpersonal
teaching-learning, and the provision of a supportive environment. Presence and human
connection are central to Watson's theory .
Question 5: The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase does
the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
A) Resolution phase
B) Orientation phase
C) Working phase
D) Termination phase
Answer: B) Orientation phase
Rationale: In Peplau's theory, the orientation phase involves the nurse and patient
getting to know each other, and the patient identifies problems and needs. The working
phase (C) is when the nurse helps the patient work toward goals. The
resolution/termination phase (A, D) is when the relationship ends .
Question 6: According to Benner's Novice to Expert model, a nurse who has been
working on a medical-surgical unit for 3 years and can recognize patterns and prioritize
care based on experience is at which level?
A) Novice
B) Advanced beginner
, C) Competent
D) Proficient
Answer: C) Competent
Rationale: Benner's stages: Novice (no experience), Advanced Beginner (marginally
acceptable performance), Competent (2-3 years, deliberate planning, efficiency),
Proficient (sees situations as wholes), Expert (intuitive grasp). A nurse with 3 years of
experience who can prioritize and recognize patterns is at the competent level .
Question 7: The nurse leader implements shared governance on a unit. What is the
primary goal of this model?
A) To reduce the number of staff meetings
B) To empower nurses by giving them a voice in decisions that affect their practice
C) To increase the authority of nurse managers
D) To decrease the role of the chief nursing officer
Answer: B) To empower nurses by giving them a voice in decisions that affect their
practice
Rationale: Shared governance is a professional practice model that empowers nurses by
giving them control over their practice and a voice in decisions affecting patient care
and the work environment .
Question 8: Which leadership style focuses on inspiring and motivating staff to achieve
a shared vision and fostering professional growth?
A) Transactional leadership
B) Transformational leadership
C) Autocratic leadership
D) Laissez-faire leadership
Answer: B) Transformational leadership
Examination Study Guide: Evidence-
Based Practice Questions with
Detailed Rationales, Nursing
Interventions, and Priority-Setting
Strategies for Galen College of
Nursing – Summer 2026 Semester
Question 1: Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory, emphasizing
the patient's ability to perform self-care activities?
A) Sister Callista Roy
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Madeleine Leininger
D) Jean Watson
Answer: B) Dorothea Orem
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory identifies when nursing is needed—when a
patient cannot meet their own self-care demands. Roy (A) developed the Adaptation
Model. Leininger (C) developed the Theory of Culture Care. Watson (D) developed the
Theory of Human Caring .
,Question 2: The nurse is caring for a patient who is unable to perform any activities of
daily living due to a severe stroke. Which of Orem's nursing systems is most
appropriate?
A) Supportive-educative
B) Wholly compensatory
C) Partially compensatory
D) Collaborative
Answer: B) Wholly compensatory
Rationale: Wholly compensatory nursing is required when the patient is unable to
perform any self-care activities and the nurse must provide total care. Partially
compensatory (C) is when both nurse and patient participate. Supportive-educative (A)
is when the patient can perform self-care but needs teaching and support .
Question 3: According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), the definition of
nursing includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Protection, promotion, and optimization of health
B) Prevention of illness and injury
C) Prescribing medications independently
D) Advocacy in the care of individuals, families, and communities
Answer: C) Prescribing medications independently
Rationale: The ANA defines nursing as the protection, promotion, and optimization of
health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering, and
advocacy. Independent prescribing (C) is within the scope of advanced practice
registered nurses with prescriptive authority, not all nurses .
Question 4: A nurse is implementing Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which action
best demonstrates a "carative factor"?
,A) Administering medications on time
B) Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
C) Documenting care accurately in the electronic health record
D) Following the facility's infection control policies
Answer: B) Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
Rationale: Watson's carative factors emphasize the humanistic aspects of nursing, such
as the development of a helping-trusting relationship, the promotion of interpersonal
teaching-learning, and the provision of a supportive environment. Presence and human
connection are central to Watson's theory .
Question 5: The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase does
the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
A) Resolution phase
B) Orientation phase
C) Working phase
D) Termination phase
Answer: B) Orientation phase
Rationale: In Peplau's theory, the orientation phase involves the nurse and patient
getting to know each other, and the patient identifies problems and needs. The working
phase (C) is when the nurse helps the patient work toward goals. The
resolution/termination phase (A, D) is when the relationship ends .
Question 6: According to Benner's Novice to Expert model, a nurse who has been
working on a medical-surgical unit for 3 years and can recognize patterns and prioritize
care based on experience is at which level?
A) Novice
B) Advanced beginner
, C) Competent
D) Proficient
Answer: C) Competent
Rationale: Benner's stages: Novice (no experience), Advanced Beginner (marginally
acceptable performance), Competent (2-3 years, deliberate planning, efficiency),
Proficient (sees situations as wholes), Expert (intuitive grasp). A nurse with 3 years of
experience who can prioritize and recognize patterns is at the competent level .
Question 7: The nurse leader implements shared governance on a unit. What is the
primary goal of this model?
A) To reduce the number of staff meetings
B) To empower nurses by giving them a voice in decisions that affect their practice
C) To increase the authority of nurse managers
D) To decrease the role of the chief nursing officer
Answer: B) To empower nurses by giving them a voice in decisions that affect their
practice
Rationale: Shared governance is a professional practice model that empowers nurses by
giving them control over their practice and a voice in decisions affecting patient care
and the work environment .
Question 8: Which leadership style focuses on inspiring and motivating staff to achieve
a shared vision and fostering professional growth?
A) Transactional leadership
B) Transformational leadership
C) Autocratic leadership
D) Laissez-faire leadership
Answer: B) Transformational leadership
