NUR 155 FoUNdatioNs oF NURsiNg | galeN College oF NURsiNg |
aCademiC YeaR 2026/2027 | examiNatioN 3 CompReheNsive
examiNatioN | 75 veRiFied QUestioNs aNd CoRReCt aNsweR
RatioNales | | veRiiFied BY expeRts .
Section 1: The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–12)
Question 1: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a newly admitted patient. Which
action represents the "Assessment" phase?
A. Administering prescribed medications
B. Auscultating breath sounds
C. Setting a goal for pain reduction
D. Documenting that the patient ambulated in the hall
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Auscultating breath sounds
RatioNale: The Assessment phase involves collecting subjective and objective data.
Auscultating breath sounds is a data collection activity. Administering medications is
Implementation, setting goals is Planning, and documentation occurs throughout the process.
Question 2: Which sequence correctly represents the steps of the nursing process?
A. Assessment → Planning → Diagnosis → Implementation → Evaluation
B. Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
C. Diagnosis → Assessment → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
D. Planning → Assessment → Diagnosis → Implementation → Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
RatioNale: The nursing process follows the ADPIE mnemonic: Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation. This is the foundational framework for all nursing care.
Question 3: A nurse is analyzing data collected from a patient assessment. Which activity is
part of the "Diagnosis" phase?
A. Obtaining a blood pressure reading
B. Identifying "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
C. Administering an analgesic
D. Evaluating whether pain relief was achieved
,CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Identifying "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
RatioNale: The Diagnosis phase involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or
potential health problems. A nursing diagnosis such as "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
is formulated during this phase.
Question 4: A patient's care plan includes the goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker
by discharge." Which phase of the nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: C. Planning
RatioNale: Planning involves setting measurable, patient-centered goals and determining
interventions to achieve them. This goal is specific, measurable, and time-bound.
Question 5: A nurse determines that a patient's pain level has decreased from 8/10 to 3/10
after administering medication. Which phase of the nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: D. Evaluation
RatioNale: Evaluation involves determining whether the patient's goals have been met.
Comparing the patient's current pain level to the expected outcome is an evaluation activity.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/88 mmHg
B. Patient reports feeling nauseated
C. Heart rate 92 beats per minute
D. Rash noted on the patient's abdomen
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Patient reports feeling nauseated
RatioNale: Subjective data is what the patient reports or feels. Nausea is a subjective
symptom. Blood pressure, heart rate, and visible rashes are objective data.
, Question 7: A nurse is caring for a patient with shortness of breath. Which finding is objective
data?
A. Patient states, "I feel short of breath"
B. Patient reports chest tightness
C. Respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute
D. Patient states, "I feel anxious"
CoRReCt aNsweR: C. Respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute
RatioNale: Objective data is observable and measurable. A respiratory rate of 28 is a
measurable finding. The other options are subjective reports from the patient.
Question 8: A nurse is prioritizing care for multiple patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 85%
C. A patient waiting for discharge instructions
D. A patient requesting assistance with ambulation
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 85%
RatioNale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, a patient with
hypoxia and altered mental status requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 9: Which statement by a nurse indicates understanding of critical thinking in nursing?
A. "I always follow the same routine for every patient."
B. "I consider each patient's unique situation before making decisions."
C. "I rely on my memory rather than assessment data."
D. "I avoid asking questions to save time."
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. "I consider each patient's unique situation before making decisions."
RatioNale: Critical thinking in nursing involves analyzing assessment data, considering the
patient's unique circumstances, and making informed clinical judgments rather than relying on
routine or assumptions.
Question 10: A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to a nursing intervention. Which action
demonstrates evaluation?
A. Administering the prescribed medication
B. Reassessing the patient's pain level after intervention
C. Documenting the initial assessment
D. Identifying the patient's nursing diagnosis
aCademiC YeaR 2026/2027 | examiNatioN 3 CompReheNsive
examiNatioN | 75 veRiFied QUestioNs aNd CoRReCt aNsweR
RatioNales | | veRiiFied BY expeRts .
Section 1: The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking (Questions 1–12)
Question 1: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a newly admitted patient. Which
action represents the "Assessment" phase?
A. Administering prescribed medications
B. Auscultating breath sounds
C. Setting a goal for pain reduction
D. Documenting that the patient ambulated in the hall
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Auscultating breath sounds
RatioNale: The Assessment phase involves collecting subjective and objective data.
Auscultating breath sounds is a data collection activity. Administering medications is
Implementation, setting goals is Planning, and documentation occurs throughout the process.
Question 2: Which sequence correctly represents the steps of the nursing process?
A. Assessment → Planning → Diagnosis → Implementation → Evaluation
B. Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
C. Diagnosis → Assessment → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
D. Planning → Assessment → Diagnosis → Implementation → Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Assessment → Diagnosis → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation
RatioNale: The nursing process follows the ADPIE mnemonic: Assessment, Diagnosis,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation. This is the foundational framework for all nursing care.
Question 3: A nurse is analyzing data collected from a patient assessment. Which activity is
part of the "Diagnosis" phase?
A. Obtaining a blood pressure reading
B. Identifying "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
C. Administering an analgesic
D. Evaluating whether pain relief was achieved
,CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Identifying "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
RatioNale: The Diagnosis phase involves analyzing assessment data to identify actual or
potential health problems. A nursing diagnosis such as "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"
is formulated during this phase.
Question 4: A patient's care plan includes the goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker
by discharge." Which phase of the nursing process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: C. Planning
RatioNale: Planning involves setting measurable, patient-centered goals and determining
interventions to achieve them. This goal is specific, measurable, and time-bound.
Question 5: A nurse determines that a patient's pain level has decreased from 8/10 to 3/10
after administering medication. Which phase of the nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
CoRReCt aNsweR: D. Evaluation
RatioNale: Evaluation involves determining whether the patient's goals have been met.
Comparing the patient's current pain level to the expected outcome is an evaluation activity.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/88 mmHg
B. Patient reports feeling nauseated
C. Heart rate 92 beats per minute
D. Rash noted on the patient's abdomen
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. Patient reports feeling nauseated
RatioNale: Subjective data is what the patient reports or feels. Nausea is a subjective
symptom. Blood pressure, heart rate, and visible rashes are objective data.
, Question 7: A nurse is caring for a patient with shortness of breath. Which finding is objective
data?
A. Patient states, "I feel short of breath"
B. Patient reports chest tightness
C. Respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute
D. Patient states, "I feel anxious"
CoRReCt aNsweR: C. Respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute
RatioNale: Objective data is observable and measurable. A respiratory rate of 28 is a
measurable finding. The other options are subjective reports from the patient.
Question 8: A nurse is prioritizing care for multiple patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 85%
C. A patient waiting for discharge instructions
D. A patient requesting assistance with ambulation
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. A patient with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of 85%
RatioNale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, a patient with
hypoxia and altered mental status requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 9: Which statement by a nurse indicates understanding of critical thinking in nursing?
A. "I always follow the same routine for every patient."
B. "I consider each patient's unique situation before making decisions."
C. "I rely on my memory rather than assessment data."
D. "I avoid asking questions to save time."
CoRReCt aNsweR: B. "I consider each patient's unique situation before making decisions."
RatioNale: Critical thinking in nursing involves analyzing assessment data, considering the
patient's unique circumstances, and making informed clinical judgments rather than relying on
routine or assumptions.
Question 10: A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to a nursing intervention. Which action
demonstrates evaluation?
A. Administering the prescribed medication
B. Reassessing the patient's pain level after intervention
C. Documenting the initial assessment
D. Identifying the patient's nursing diagnosis
