WCU NURS 190 PA Final Exam Practice Test 2026 |Most
Tested Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
West Coast University NURS 190 PA Final Exam Prep |
Nursing Practice & Assessment Study Guide | Complete
Final Exam Review
Section 1: Nursing Foundations, Assessment & Clinical Judgment
1. Which nursing action best demonstrates the first step of the nursing process?
A. Establishing nursing diagnoses
B. Collecting comprehensive patient data
C. Implementing prescribed interventions
D. Evaluating treatment outcomes
Answer: B. Collecting comprehensive patient data
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective information before
diagnoses and interventions are established.
2. Which finding is considered objective assessment data?
A. “I feel dizzy.”
B. “My pain is severe.”
C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
D. “I feel nauseated.”
,Answer: C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through
examination or diagnostic assessment.
3. Which nursing diagnosis focuses on a patient's vulnerability to developing a
problem?
A. Actual diagnosis
B. Risk diagnosis
C. Medical diagnosis
D. Syndrome diagnosis
Answer: B. Risk diagnosis
Rationale: A risk diagnosis identifies factors that increase the patient's susceptibility to a
problem.
4. Which goal is written most appropriately for a patient with impaired mobility?
A. Patient will improve mobility.
B. Patient will ambulate 50 feet with assistance by 1600.
C. Nurse will encourage walking every shift.
D. Patient should walk more frequently.
Answer: B. Patient will ambulate 50 feet with assistance by 1600.
Rationale: This goal is specific, measurable, and time limited.
,5. Which action represents the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Identifying patient problems
B. Collecting vital signs
C. Determining whether the expected outcome was achieved
D. Selecting nursing interventions
Answer: C. Determining whether the expected outcome was achieved
Rationale: Evaluation determines the patient's response to interventions and whether goals
were met.
6. A nurse uses clinical judgment primarily to:
A. Replace all physician decisions
B. Interpret patient information and determine appropriate nursing actions
C. Avoid communicating with other disciplines
D. Eliminate the need for assessment
Answer: B. Interpret patient information and determine appropriate nursing actions
Rationale: Clinical judgment involves recognizing relevant cues, analyzing information, and
selecting appropriate responses.
7. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
, C. Patient asking about discharge time
D. Patient requesting a meal tray
Answer: B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing problems require immediate assessment and intervention.
8. Which principle should guide prioritization of nursing care?
A. Address the least urgent concern first
B. Address life-threatening problems first
C. Complete documentation before assessment
D. Treat all problems identically
Answer: B. Address life-threatening problems first
Rationale: Immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation generally take priority.
9. Which assessment technique involves listening to internal body sounds?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: D. Auscultation
Rationale: Auscultation uses a stethoscope to assess sounds such as heart, lung, and
bowel sounds.
Tested Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
West Coast University NURS 190 PA Final Exam Prep |
Nursing Practice & Assessment Study Guide | Complete
Final Exam Review
Section 1: Nursing Foundations, Assessment & Clinical Judgment
1. Which nursing action best demonstrates the first step of the nursing process?
A. Establishing nursing diagnoses
B. Collecting comprehensive patient data
C. Implementing prescribed interventions
D. Evaluating treatment outcomes
Answer: B. Collecting comprehensive patient data
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective information before
diagnoses and interventions are established.
2. Which finding is considered objective assessment data?
A. “I feel dizzy.”
B. “My pain is severe.”
C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
D. “I feel nauseated.”
,Answer: C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through
examination or diagnostic assessment.
3. Which nursing diagnosis focuses on a patient's vulnerability to developing a
problem?
A. Actual diagnosis
B. Risk diagnosis
C. Medical diagnosis
D. Syndrome diagnosis
Answer: B. Risk diagnosis
Rationale: A risk diagnosis identifies factors that increase the patient's susceptibility to a
problem.
4. Which goal is written most appropriately for a patient with impaired mobility?
A. Patient will improve mobility.
B. Patient will ambulate 50 feet with assistance by 1600.
C. Nurse will encourage walking every shift.
D. Patient should walk more frequently.
Answer: B. Patient will ambulate 50 feet with assistance by 1600.
Rationale: This goal is specific, measurable, and time limited.
,5. Which action represents the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Identifying patient problems
B. Collecting vital signs
C. Determining whether the expected outcome was achieved
D. Selecting nursing interventions
Answer: C. Determining whether the expected outcome was achieved
Rationale: Evaluation determines the patient's response to interventions and whether goals
were met.
6. A nurse uses clinical judgment primarily to:
A. Replace all physician decisions
B. Interpret patient information and determine appropriate nursing actions
C. Avoid communicating with other disciplines
D. Eliminate the need for assessment
Answer: B. Interpret patient information and determine appropriate nursing actions
Rationale: Clinical judgment involves recognizing relevant cues, analyzing information, and
selecting appropriate responses.
7. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
, C. Patient asking about discharge time
D. Patient requesting a meal tray
Answer: B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing problems require immediate assessment and intervention.
8. Which principle should guide prioritization of nursing care?
A. Address the least urgent concern first
B. Address life-threatening problems first
C. Complete documentation before assessment
D. Treat all problems identically
Answer: B. Address life-threatening problems first
Rationale: Immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation generally take priority.
9. Which assessment technique involves listening to internal body sounds?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: D. Auscultation
Rationale: Auscultation uses a stethoscope to assess sounds such as heart, lung, and
bowel sounds.
