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GALEN NSG 3100 EXAM 3 | FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS & SKILLS FOR NURSING
PRACTICE I | COMPLETE PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK | 250+ QUESTIONS WITH
2027 ACADEMIC YEAR EDITION | 100%
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER
SECTION I: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING
## Questions 1–25
**Question 1**
A nurse is admitting a 78-year-old patient who reports shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
Which action represents the **priority** step in the nursing process?
A. Administering oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Documenting the patient's vital signs in the electronic health record
C. Assessing the patient's respiratory status and pain characteristics
D. Notifying the healthcare provider of the patient's symptoms
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The nursing process begins with **assessment**—the systematic collection of data
to identify patient needs. According to the nursing process framework, assessment must precede
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all other steps (diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation). Administering oxygen (A) and
notifying the provider (D) are implementation actions that should occur after assessment.
Documentation (B) is an ongoing process but should not replace the initial comprehensive
assessment. The priority is to gather complete data before intervening.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse identifies that a patient's blood pressure is elevated at 168/94 mmHg on two consecutive
readings. The nurse formulates the nursing diagnosis "Ineffective Tissue Perfusion related to
hypertension." This represents which phase of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The **diagnosis** phase involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or
potential health problems. Formulating a nursing diagnosis (NANDA-I approved) from collected
data is the second step of the nursing process. Assessment (A) is data collection; planning (C)
involves goal setting; implementation (D) is carrying out interventions.
---
**Question 3**
A postoperative patient rates pain as 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 2 mg IV as ordered.
Thirty minutes later, the nurse reassesses the patient's pain level as 3/10. The nurse's
reassessment represents which phase of the nursing process?
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A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** **Evaluation** is the final step of the nursing process, determining whether
interventions were effective in achieving desired outcomes. Reassessing pain after medication
administration to measure effectiveness is evaluation. While it involves assessment data
collection (A), the purpose is specifically to evaluate intervention effectiveness.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess **first**?
A. A patient scheduled for discharge teaching in 30 minutes
B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A patient requesting pain medication for postoperative pain rated 6/10
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation to the bathroom
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Prioritization follows Maslow's hierarchy and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation). A patient with new confusion and low oxygen saturation (89%) indicates potential
hypoxia, an immediate threat to airway/breathing. This is a **priority** over comfort needs (C),
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discharge teaching (A), or ambulation assistance (D), which can be delegated or addressed after
stabilizing the hypoxic patient.
---
**Question 5**
Which nursing action demonstrates **critical thinking** in clinical decision-making?
A. Following a standing order without question
B. Implementing interventions based on routine practice
C. Analyzing assessment data and considering alternative explanations before acting
D. Delegating all complex decisions to the charge nurse
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** **Critical thinking** involves analyzing data, considering alternatives, and making
evidence-based decisions. Option C demonstrates synthesis and evaluation—higher-level
cognitive skills. Options A and B reflect task-oriented, non-analytic approaches. Option D
abdicates professional responsibility.
---
**Question 6**
A nurse develops the following goal for a patient with impaired mobility: "Patient will ambulate
50 feet with a walker by discharge." This goal is:
A. Specific and measurable
B. Vague and unmeasurable
GALEN NSG 3100 EXAM 3 | FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS & SKILLS FOR NURSING
PRACTICE I | COMPLETE PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK | 250+ QUESTIONS WITH
2027 ACADEMIC YEAR EDITION | 100%
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER
SECTION I: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING
## Questions 1–25
**Question 1**
A nurse is admitting a 78-year-old patient who reports shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
Which action represents the **priority** step in the nursing process?
A. Administering oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Documenting the patient's vital signs in the electronic health record
C. Assessing the patient's respiratory status and pain characteristics
D. Notifying the healthcare provider of the patient's symptoms
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The nursing process begins with **assessment**—the systematic collection of data
to identify patient needs. According to the nursing process framework, assessment must precede
,Page 2 of 184
all other steps (diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation). Administering oxygen (A) and
notifying the provider (D) are implementation actions that should occur after assessment.
Documentation (B) is an ongoing process but should not replace the initial comprehensive
assessment. The priority is to gather complete data before intervening.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse identifies that a patient's blood pressure is elevated at 168/94 mmHg on two consecutive
readings. The nurse formulates the nursing diagnosis "Ineffective Tissue Perfusion related to
hypertension." This represents which phase of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The **diagnosis** phase involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or
potential health problems. Formulating a nursing diagnosis (NANDA-I approved) from collected
data is the second step of the nursing process. Assessment (A) is data collection; planning (C)
involves goal setting; implementation (D) is carrying out interventions.
---
**Question 3**
A postoperative patient rates pain as 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 2 mg IV as ordered.
Thirty minutes later, the nurse reassesses the patient's pain level as 3/10. The nurse's
reassessment represents which phase of the nursing process?
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A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** **Evaluation** is the final step of the nursing process, determining whether
interventions were effective in achieving desired outcomes. Reassessing pain after medication
administration to measure effectiveness is evaluation. While it involves assessment data
collection (A), the purpose is specifically to evaluate intervention effectiveness.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess **first**?
A. A patient scheduled for discharge teaching in 30 minutes
B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A patient requesting pain medication for postoperative pain rated 6/10
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation to the bathroom
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Prioritization follows Maslow's hierarchy and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation). A patient with new confusion and low oxygen saturation (89%) indicates potential
hypoxia, an immediate threat to airway/breathing. This is a **priority** over comfort needs (C),
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discharge teaching (A), or ambulation assistance (D), which can be delegated or addressed after
stabilizing the hypoxic patient.
---
**Question 5**
Which nursing action demonstrates **critical thinking** in clinical decision-making?
A. Following a standing order without question
B. Implementing interventions based on routine practice
C. Analyzing assessment data and considering alternative explanations before acting
D. Delegating all complex decisions to the charge nurse
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** **Critical thinking** involves analyzing data, considering alternatives, and making
evidence-based decisions. Option C demonstrates synthesis and evaluation—higher-level
cognitive skills. Options A and B reflect task-oriented, non-analytic approaches. Option D
abdicates professional responsibility.
---
**Question 6**
A nurse develops the following goal for a patient with impaired mobility: "Patient will ambulate
50 feet with a walker by discharge." This goal is:
A. Specific and measurable
B. Vague and unmeasurable
