WGU D439 Foundations of Nursing —
100-Question Exam with correct
answers and rationale updated
2026
SECTION 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
(Questions 1–20)
1. The nursing process is a:
A) Linear, one-time process
B) Five-step systematic, dynamic, and continuous process
C) Medical diagnosis tool
D) Administrative requirement with no clinical value
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, dynamic, patient-centered, outcome-
focused, and continuously evolving process. The five steps in order are Assessment,
Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE) -1-2 .
2. What is the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, during which the nurse
collects comprehensive data about the patient's health status. All subsequent steps
depend on accurate assessment data -3 .
3. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient reports "I have a headache"
C) Wound appears red and swollen
D) Temperature 38.5°C
,Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient verbally,
including symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and health history. Objective data is
measurable and observable (vital signs, lab values, physical assessment findings) -1-
2.
4. Which of the following are examples of objective data? (Select all that apply)
A) Patient reports "I have a headache"
B) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
C) Patient is limping when walking
D) Wound drainage is green and purulent
E) Patient states "I feel anxious"
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Objective data is measurable, observable, and verifiable, including vital
signs, physical assessment findings, laboratory results, and observable behaviors.
Subjective data is reported by the patient -1-2 .
5. A nursing diagnosis differs from a medical diagnosis in that a nursing
diagnosis:
A) Identifies the medical disease process
B) Describes the patient's response to an actual or potential health problem
C) Is always confirmed by laboratory testing
D) Requires a physician's order
Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis describes the patient's response to a health problem
(e.g., "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"). A medical diagnosis identifies the
disease or condition (e.g., "Appendicitis") -1-2 .
6. Which of the following is an example of a correctly written nursing
diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia
B) Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes
C) Patient will maintain oxygen saturation above 92%
D) Administer oxygen as ordered
Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis includes a label (Impaired Gas Exchange), related
factors (alveolar-capillary membrane changes), and is based on nursing judgment.
Option A is a medical diagnosis. Option C is a goal. Option D is an intervention -1-2 .
7. During the planning phase of the nursing process, the nurse:
A) Collects patient data
, B) Sets measurable, realistic patient-centered goals and outcomes
C) Implements nursing interventions
D) Evaluates the effectiveness of care
Answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase involves establishing priorities, setting measurable
and achievable patient-centered goals, and determining appropriate nursing
interventions -1-2 .
8. Which step of the nursing process involves carrying out the interventions
identified in the care plan?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: D
Rationale: Implementation is the "action" phase where the nurse carries out the
prescribed nursing care and interventions -1-5 .
9. After administering pain medication, the nurse asks the patient to rate their
pain on a scale of 0–10. This is an example of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process, where the nurse
determines whether the patient's goals have been met. Reassessing after an
intervention determines effectiveness -5 .
10. What part of the nursing process involves collecting data about the patient?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data about the patient's health
status. This includes both subjective data (what the patient reports) and objective
data (what the nurse observes and measures) -3 .
100-Question Exam with correct
answers and rationale updated
2026
SECTION 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
(Questions 1–20)
1. The nursing process is a:
A) Linear, one-time process
B) Five-step systematic, dynamic, and continuous process
C) Medical diagnosis tool
D) Administrative requirement with no clinical value
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, dynamic, patient-centered, outcome-
focused, and continuously evolving process. The five steps in order are Assessment,
Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE) -1-2 .
2. What is the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, during which the nurse
collects comprehensive data about the patient's health status. All subsequent steps
depend on accurate assessment data -3 .
3. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient reports "I have a headache"
C) Wound appears red and swollen
D) Temperature 38.5°C
,Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient verbally,
including symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and health history. Objective data is
measurable and observable (vital signs, lab values, physical assessment findings) -1-
2.
4. Which of the following are examples of objective data? (Select all that apply)
A) Patient reports "I have a headache"
B) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
C) Patient is limping when walking
D) Wound drainage is green and purulent
E) Patient states "I feel anxious"
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Objective data is measurable, observable, and verifiable, including vital
signs, physical assessment findings, laboratory results, and observable behaviors.
Subjective data is reported by the patient -1-2 .
5. A nursing diagnosis differs from a medical diagnosis in that a nursing
diagnosis:
A) Identifies the medical disease process
B) Describes the patient's response to an actual or potential health problem
C) Is always confirmed by laboratory testing
D) Requires a physician's order
Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis describes the patient's response to a health problem
(e.g., "Acute Pain related to surgical incision"). A medical diagnosis identifies the
disease or condition (e.g., "Appendicitis") -1-2 .
6. Which of the following is an example of a correctly written nursing
diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia
B) Impaired Gas Exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes
C) Patient will maintain oxygen saturation above 92%
D) Administer oxygen as ordered
Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis includes a label (Impaired Gas Exchange), related
factors (alveolar-capillary membrane changes), and is based on nursing judgment.
Option A is a medical diagnosis. Option C is a goal. Option D is an intervention -1-2 .
7. During the planning phase of the nursing process, the nurse:
A) Collects patient data
, B) Sets measurable, realistic patient-centered goals and outcomes
C) Implements nursing interventions
D) Evaluates the effectiveness of care
Answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase involves establishing priorities, setting measurable
and achievable patient-centered goals, and determining appropriate nursing
interventions -1-2 .
8. Which step of the nursing process involves carrying out the interventions
identified in the care plan?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: D
Rationale: Implementation is the "action" phase where the nurse carries out the
prescribed nursing care and interventions -1-5 .
9. After administering pain medication, the nurse asks the patient to rate their
pain on a scale of 0–10. This is an example of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process, where the nurse
determines whether the patient's goals have been met. Reassessing after an
intervention determines effectiveness -5 .
10. What part of the nursing process involves collecting data about the patient?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of data about the patient's health
status. This includes both subjective data (what the patient reports) and objective
data (what the nurse observes and measures) -3 .
