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NURS 8022 EXAM 3 — HIGHER EDUCATION ADVANCED
NURSING CURRICULUM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 8022 Exam 3 with a focused study resource designed to reinforce
advanced pathophysiology and physiological concepts. It supports review of doctoral-
level nursing education, including curriculum development, teaching and learning
strategies, assessment and evaluation, accreditation standards, faculty roles, and
contemporary issues in nursing education. Use the material to strengthen clinical
reasoning, connect physiological mechanisms with patient manifestations, and
identify areas that may require additional review before the examination. This
resource is best suited for advanced nursing and graduate-level nursing students
preparing for the NURS 8022 Exam 3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN (Questions 1-15)
1. The initial step in the development of a competency-based nursing
curriculum is:
a) Selecting instructional materials
b) Identifying the competencies students should demonstrate upon
graduation
c) Developing course syllabi
d) Determining faculty assignments
Answer: b) Identifying the competencies students should demonstrate
upon graduation
Rationale: Competency-based education (CBE) begins with identifying the
competencies or outcomes students must achieve by the end of the program.
This outcome-driven approach ensures that all curriculum components—
content, teaching strategies, and assessments—are aligned with the desired
competencies.
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2. A curriculum committee is revising the advanced pharmacology course
to align with the 2021 AACN Essentials. Which of the following is the MOST
appropriate first step?
a) Adding a new textbook to the course
b) Mapping the course outcomes to the Essentials domains
c) Increasing the number of clinical hours
d) Surveying students about their preferred teaching methods
Answer: b) Mapping the course outcomes to the Essentials domains
Rationale: Curriculum alignment with the AACN Essentials requires a
systematic mapping process that ensures course outcomes, content, and
assessments are directly linked to the competencies outlined in the
Essentials. This mapping provides a foundation for all subsequent curriculum
decisions.
3. The Tyler Model of curriculum development is best described as:
a) A model that begins with identifying educational purposes and experiences
b) A model focused on learner-centered outcomes
c) A model that emphasizes critical social theory
d) A model that prioritizes faculty preferences
Answer: a) A model that begins with identifying educational purposes and
experiences
Rationale: The Tyler Model is a classic curriculum development framework
that begins with four fundamental questions: What educational purposes
should the school seek to attain? What educational experiences can be
provided that are likely to attain these purposes? How can these educational
experiences be effectively organized? How can we determine whether these
purposes are being attained?
4. "Backward Design" in curriculum development refers to:
a) Starting with instructional activities and then developing outcomes
b) Starting with desired outcomes and then designing assessments and
learning experiences
c) Starting with faculty expertise and then designing the curriculum
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d) Starting with available resources and then determining outcomes
Answer: b) Starting with desired outcomes and then designing
assessments and learning experiences
Rationale: Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe) begins with identifying the
desired results (outcomes), then determining acceptable evidence
(assessments), and finally planning learning experiences and instruction. This
approach ensures that assessments and teaching strategies are aligned with
intended outcomes.
5. What is curriculum mapping?
a) A tool used to visually represent the alignment of content, teaching
methods, and assessments within a curriculum
b) A process for scheduling courses across semesters
c) A method for assigning faculty to courses
d) A technique for evaluating student satisfaction
Answer: a) A tool used to visually represent the alignment of content,
teaching methods, and assessments within a curriculum
Rationale: Curriculum mapping is a visual tool that illustrates the alignment
between program outcomes, course outcomes, content, teaching strategies,
and assessments. It helps identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for
integration across the curriculum.
6. A curriculum committee is revising a master's nursing curriculum to
incorporate systems thinking. Which of the following strategies BEST
reflects a systematic approach?
a) Adding a single elective on systems thinking for interested students
b) Revising program outcomes to include explicit systems-thinking
competencies and mapping them across courses
c) Requiring students to complete an extra practicum off-site with healthcare
administrators
d) Providing a one-day workshop on systems thinking for faculty
Answer: b) Revising program outcomes to include explicit systems-
thinking competencies and mapping them across courses
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Rationale: Systematic curriculum integration requires embedding
competencies across the curriculum rather than adding isolated
components. This approach ensures that all students develop the
competency and that it is reinforced throughout the program.
7. The principle of "integration" in curriculum development refers to:
a) Combining multiple disciplines and concepts to provide holistic learning
b) Integrating technology into the classroom
c) Integrating faculty expertise
d) Integrating clinical and classroom experiences
Answer: a) Combining multiple disciplines and concepts to provide
holistic learning
Rationale: The principle of integration in curriculum development involves
weaving together content from multiple disciplines and concepts to help
students understand the interconnectedness of knowledge. This is
particularly important in nursing education, where clinical practice requires
integration of knowledge from multiple domains.
8. A nurse educator begins curriculum planning by identifying the
competencies students should demonstrate upon graduation before
selecting instructional activities. This approach is characteristic of which
curriculum model?
a) Tyler Model
b) Backward Design
c) Spiral Curriculum
d) Integrated Curriculum
Answer: b) Backward Design
Rationale: Backward Design begins with identifying desired outcomes
(competencies) before selecting instructional activities and assessments.
This ensures that all curriculum components are aligned with the intended
outcomes.
NURS 8022 EXAM 3 — HIGHER EDUCATION ADVANCED
NURSING CURRICULUM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 8022 Exam 3 with a focused study resource designed to reinforce
advanced pathophysiology and physiological concepts. It supports review of doctoral-
level nursing education, including curriculum development, teaching and learning
strategies, assessment and evaluation, accreditation standards, faculty roles, and
contemporary issues in nursing education. Use the material to strengthen clinical
reasoning, connect physiological mechanisms with patient manifestations, and
identify areas that may require additional review before the examination. This
resource is best suited for advanced nursing and graduate-level nursing students
preparing for the NURS 8022 Exam 3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN (Questions 1-15)
1. The initial step in the development of a competency-based nursing
curriculum is:
a) Selecting instructional materials
b) Identifying the competencies students should demonstrate upon
graduation
c) Developing course syllabi
d) Determining faculty assignments
Answer: b) Identifying the competencies students should demonstrate
upon graduation
Rationale: Competency-based education (CBE) begins with identifying the
competencies or outcomes students must achieve by the end of the program.
This outcome-driven approach ensures that all curriculum components—
content, teaching strategies, and assessments—are aligned with the desired
competencies.
, Page 2 of 41
2. A curriculum committee is revising the advanced pharmacology course
to align with the 2021 AACN Essentials. Which of the following is the MOST
appropriate first step?
a) Adding a new textbook to the course
b) Mapping the course outcomes to the Essentials domains
c) Increasing the number of clinical hours
d) Surveying students about their preferred teaching methods
Answer: b) Mapping the course outcomes to the Essentials domains
Rationale: Curriculum alignment with the AACN Essentials requires a
systematic mapping process that ensures course outcomes, content, and
assessments are directly linked to the competencies outlined in the
Essentials. This mapping provides a foundation for all subsequent curriculum
decisions.
3. The Tyler Model of curriculum development is best described as:
a) A model that begins with identifying educational purposes and experiences
b) A model focused on learner-centered outcomes
c) A model that emphasizes critical social theory
d) A model that prioritizes faculty preferences
Answer: a) A model that begins with identifying educational purposes and
experiences
Rationale: The Tyler Model is a classic curriculum development framework
that begins with four fundamental questions: What educational purposes
should the school seek to attain? What educational experiences can be
provided that are likely to attain these purposes? How can these educational
experiences be effectively organized? How can we determine whether these
purposes are being attained?
4. "Backward Design" in curriculum development refers to:
a) Starting with instructional activities and then developing outcomes
b) Starting with desired outcomes and then designing assessments and
learning experiences
c) Starting with faculty expertise and then designing the curriculum
, Page 3 of 41
d) Starting with available resources and then determining outcomes
Answer: b) Starting with desired outcomes and then designing
assessments and learning experiences
Rationale: Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe) begins with identifying the
desired results (outcomes), then determining acceptable evidence
(assessments), and finally planning learning experiences and instruction. This
approach ensures that assessments and teaching strategies are aligned with
intended outcomes.
5. What is curriculum mapping?
a) A tool used to visually represent the alignment of content, teaching
methods, and assessments within a curriculum
b) A process for scheduling courses across semesters
c) A method for assigning faculty to courses
d) A technique for evaluating student satisfaction
Answer: a) A tool used to visually represent the alignment of content,
teaching methods, and assessments within a curriculum
Rationale: Curriculum mapping is a visual tool that illustrates the alignment
between program outcomes, course outcomes, content, teaching strategies,
and assessments. It helps identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for
integration across the curriculum.
6. A curriculum committee is revising a master's nursing curriculum to
incorporate systems thinking. Which of the following strategies BEST
reflects a systematic approach?
a) Adding a single elective on systems thinking for interested students
b) Revising program outcomes to include explicit systems-thinking
competencies and mapping them across courses
c) Requiring students to complete an extra practicum off-site with healthcare
administrators
d) Providing a one-day workshop on systems thinking for faculty
Answer: b) Revising program outcomes to include explicit systems-
thinking competencies and mapping them across courses
, Page 4 of 41
Rationale: Systematic curriculum integration requires embedding
competencies across the curriculum rather than adding isolated
components. This approach ensures that all students develop the
competency and that it is reinforced throughout the program.
7. The principle of "integration" in curriculum development refers to:
a) Combining multiple disciplines and concepts to provide holistic learning
b) Integrating technology into the classroom
c) Integrating faculty expertise
d) Integrating clinical and classroom experiences
Answer: a) Combining multiple disciplines and concepts to provide
holistic learning
Rationale: The principle of integration in curriculum development involves
weaving together content from multiple disciplines and concepts to help
students understand the interconnectedness of knowledge. This is
particularly important in nursing education, where clinical practice requires
integration of knowledge from multiple domains.
8. A nurse educator begins curriculum planning by identifying the
competencies students should demonstrate upon graduation before
selecting instructional activities. This approach is characteristic of which
curriculum model?
a) Tyler Model
b) Backward Design
c) Spiral Curriculum
d) Integrated Curriculum
Answer: b) Backward Design
Rationale: Backward Design begins with identifying desired outcomes
(competencies) before selecting instructional activities and assessments.
This ensures that all curriculum components are aligned with the intended
outcomes.
