NUR 155 Foundations of Nursing Exams 1, 2, 3 & 4
Complete Review | Questions, Answers & Rationales |
2026/2027 Exam Prep | 100% Correct - Galen College
Exam 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice – Units 1-2
1: Nursing Process, Critical Thinking, and Clinical Judgment
1. Which step of the nursing process involves organized and ongoing appraisal of
a holistic approach to data collection?
1. Assessment
2. Diagnosis
3. Planning
4. Evaluation
Answer: 1. Assessment
Rationale:
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data from the patient and other sources. The nurse gathers
information through observation, interviewing, physical examination, and review of the
medical record. Diagnosis follows data analysis, while planning, implementation, and
evaluation occur later in the process. Ongoing appraisal of a holistic approach requires
continuous data collection to ensure the plan of care remains current and effective.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Take Action
• Cognitive Ability: Remembering
Page 1 of 139
, • Content Area: Nursing Process
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
• Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Nursing Process
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the key phrase "organized and ongoing appraisal of a holistic approach to
data collection." Assessment is the only phase that involves data collection. Eliminate
diagnosis, planning, and evaluation because they occur after data has been collected
and analyzed.
2. A patient reports "I have a sharp pain in my right hip." What type of data is this?
1. Objective data
2. Secondary data
3. Subjective data
4. Inferred data
Answer: 3. Subjective data
Rationale:
Subjective data are information from the client's point of view, including feelings,
perceptions, and concerns obtained through interviews. The patient's statement about pain
is subjective because it cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse. Objective
data are observable and measurable, such as vital signs or a visible rash. Secondary data
come from sources other than the patient, such as family members or medical records.
Inferred data are conclusions drawn from observed information.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Recognize Cues
• Cognitive Ability: Understanding
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Assessment
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
• Priority Concepts: Communication, Clinical Judgment
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the source of the information. The patient is reporting a symptom, which is
Page 2 of 139
,subjective data. Eliminate objective data because the nurse cannot see or measure the
pain. Eliminate secondary data because the information came directly from the patient.
3. When applying Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient problem should the
nurse address first?
1. Inability to sleep due to anxiety
2. Shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
3. Feeling lonely because family cannot visit
4. Risk for falls due to unstable gait
Answer: 2. Shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale:
Physiological needs, such as oxygenation (breathing), are the highest priority according to
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The patient with shortness of breath and an oxygen
saturation of 88% is experiencing inadequate oxygenation, which is a life-threatening
physiological need. Safety needs (risk for falls) come after physiological needs, followed by
love and belonging (loneliness), and then esteem and self-actualization needs (anxiety
affecting sleep).
• Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Prioritize Hypotheses
• Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Prioritization
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Planning
• Priority Concepts: Oxygenation, Clinical Judgment
• Strategies: Priority Setting
Test-Taking Strategy:
Remember that Maslow's Hierarchy places physiological needs at the base of the
pyramid and they must be met first. Eliminate options 1, 3, and 4 because they represent
psychosocial or safety needs, which are lower priority than oxygenation.
4. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's obligation to "do no harm"?
Page 3 of 139
, 1. Beneficence
2. Autonomy
3. Nonmaleficence
4. Justice
Answer: 3. Nonmaleficence
Rationale:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm, intentionally or unintentionally.
It is a fundamental principle in nursing ethics that requires nurses to avoid actions that
could cause harm to patients. Beneficence refers to doing good or promoting the well-
being of others. Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own decisions. Justice
refers to fairness and equal treatment of all patients.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Take Action
• Cognitive Ability: Remembering
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Ethics
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Implementation
• Priority Concepts: Ethics, Professionalism
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the phrase "do no harm." Nonmaleficence is derived from the Latin phrase
"primum non nocere" meaning "first, do no harm." Eliminate beneficence (doing good),
autonomy (self-determination), and justice (fairness) because they do not directly
address the obligation to avoid harm.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Tuberculosis. Which type of precautions
must be implemented?
1. Contact Precautions
2. Droplet Precautions
3. Airborne Precautions
4. Standard Precautions only
Answer: 3. Airborne Precautions
Page 4 of 139
Complete Review | Questions, Answers & Rationales |
2026/2027 Exam Prep | 100% Correct - Galen College
Exam 1: Foundations of Nursing Practice – Units 1-2
1: Nursing Process, Critical Thinking, and Clinical Judgment
1. Which step of the nursing process involves organized and ongoing appraisal of
a holistic approach to data collection?
1. Assessment
2. Diagnosis
3. Planning
4. Evaluation
Answer: 1. Assessment
Rationale:
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data from the patient and other sources. The nurse gathers
information through observation, interviewing, physical examination, and review of the
medical record. Diagnosis follows data analysis, while planning, implementation, and
evaluation occur later in the process. Ongoing appraisal of a holistic approach requires
continuous data collection to ensure the plan of care remains current and effective.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Take Action
• Cognitive Ability: Remembering
Page 1 of 139
, • Content Area: Nursing Process
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
• Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Nursing Process
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the key phrase "organized and ongoing appraisal of a holistic approach to
data collection." Assessment is the only phase that involves data collection. Eliminate
diagnosis, planning, and evaluation because they occur after data has been collected
and analyzed.
2. A patient reports "I have a sharp pain in my right hip." What type of data is this?
1. Objective data
2. Secondary data
3. Subjective data
4. Inferred data
Answer: 3. Subjective data
Rationale:
Subjective data are information from the client's point of view, including feelings,
perceptions, and concerns obtained through interviews. The patient's statement about pain
is subjective because it cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse. Objective
data are observable and measurable, such as vital signs or a visible rash. Secondary data
come from sources other than the patient, such as family members or medical records.
Inferred data are conclusions drawn from observed information.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Recognize Cues
• Cognitive Ability: Understanding
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Assessment
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
• Priority Concepts: Communication, Clinical Judgment
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the source of the information. The patient is reporting a symptom, which is
Page 2 of 139
,subjective data. Eliminate objective data because the nurse cannot see or measure the
pain. Eliminate secondary data because the information came directly from the patient.
3. When applying Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient problem should the
nurse address first?
1. Inability to sleep due to anxiety
2. Shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
3. Feeling lonely because family cannot visit
4. Risk for falls due to unstable gait
Answer: 2. Shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale:
Physiological needs, such as oxygenation (breathing), are the highest priority according to
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The patient with shortness of breath and an oxygen
saturation of 88% is experiencing inadequate oxygenation, which is a life-threatening
physiological need. Safety needs (risk for falls) come after physiological needs, followed by
love and belonging (loneliness), and then esteem and self-actualization needs (anxiety
affecting sleep).
• Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Prioritize Hypotheses
• Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Prioritization
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Planning
• Priority Concepts: Oxygenation, Clinical Judgment
• Strategies: Priority Setting
Test-Taking Strategy:
Remember that Maslow's Hierarchy places physiological needs at the base of the
pyramid and they must be met first. Eliminate options 1, 3, and 4 because they represent
psychosocial or safety needs, which are lower priority than oxygenation.
4. Which ethical principle refers to the nurse's obligation to "do no harm"?
Page 3 of 139
, 1. Beneficence
2. Autonomy
3. Nonmaleficence
4. Justice
Answer: 3. Nonmaleficence
Rationale:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of doing no harm, intentionally or unintentionally.
It is a fundamental principle in nursing ethics that requires nurses to avoid actions that
could cause harm to patients. Beneficence refers to doing good or promoting the well-
being of others. Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own decisions. Justice
refers to fairness and equal treatment of all patients.
• Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skill(s): Take Action
• Cognitive Ability: Remembering
• Content Area: Foundations of Care: Ethics
• Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Implementation
• Priority Concepts: Ethics, Professionalism
• Strategies: Subject
Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the phrase "do no harm." Nonmaleficence is derived from the Latin phrase
"primum non nocere" meaning "first, do no harm." Eliminate beneficence (doing good),
autonomy (self-determination), and justice (fairness) because they do not directly
address the obligation to avoid harm.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Tuberculosis. Which type of precautions
must be implemented?
1. Contact Precautions
2. Droplet Precautions
3. Airborne Precautions
4. Standard Precautions only
Answer: 3. Airborne Precautions
Page 4 of 139
