Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
Chapters 1–3 – Academic Year 2026/2027
– Comprehensive Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS
Domain 1: Evidence-Based Nursing Care and Critical Thinking
Question 1. Which of the following best describes evidence-based nursing
care?
A. Care based solely on traditional methods used for many years
B. Integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient values
C. Care directed only by physician preference
D. Care that ignores patient preferences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing care combines the best current research
evidence, the clinician's expertise, and the patient's values and preferences to guide
clinical decisions and improve outcomes.
Question 2. The first step in the critical thinking process used by nurses when
approaching a clinical problem is typically:
A. Implementing an intervention immediately
B. Identifying and clarifying the problem or issue
C. Evaluating outcomes before assessment
D. Documenting a conclusion without data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking begins with recognizing and clearly defining the
problem or clinical issue. Subsequent steps include gathering and analyzing data,
generating options, implementing, and evaluating.
Question 3. Which level of evidence is generally considered the strongest for
guiding clinical decisions?
A. Expert opinion alone
B. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
C. Single case reports
,D. Anecdotal experience from one nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of well-designed randomized
controlled trials provide the highest level of evidence because they synthesize
findings across multiple studies and reduce bias.
Question 4. A nurse uses the nursing process to organize care. Which
sequence correctly reflects the steps of the nursing process?
A. Implementation, assessment, diagnosis, planning, evaluation
B. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
C. Evaluation, planning, assessment, diagnosis, implementation
D. Diagnosis, evaluation, assessment, planning, implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard nursing process sequence is Assessment, Nursing
Diagnosis (or problem identification), Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
(ADPIE).
Question 5. Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis?
A. Pneumonia
B. Impaired Gas Exchange
C. Myocardial Infarction
D. Diabetes Mellitus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis describes a human response to a health condition or
life process (e.g., Impaired Gas Exchange). Medical diagnoses (e.g., Pneumonia)
identify the disease itself.
Question 6. When a nurse uses critical thinking, which action demonstrates
intellectual humility?
A. Assuming the nurse knows everything about the patient's condition
B. Admitting when one does not know something and seeking out evidence
C. Ignoring contradictory data to support a preferred hypothesis
D. Refusing to consult with other healthcare team members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intellectual humility involves recognizing the limits of one's own
knowledge and being willing to seek new information and consider alternative
viewpoints.
,Question 7. What is the primary purpose of the evaluation phase of the
nursing process?
A. To collect subjective and objective data
B. To determine if the patient's goals and expected outcomes have been met
C. To establish priorities of care
D. To perform the nursing interventions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process, where the nurse
determines the patient's progress toward achieving the identified goals and
expected outcomes.
Question 8. A nurse is gathering data about a patient's pain. Which finding
represents subjective data?
A. The patient's heart rate is 110 bpm
B. The patient is grimacing and guarding the abdomen
C. The patient states, "My pain is a 7 out of 10"
D. The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data includes the patient's verbal descriptions of their
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms (e.g., pain rating). Objective data is
measurable and observable.
Question 9. Which critical thinking skill involves looking at a situation from
multiple perspectives and considering alternatives?
A. Analysis
B. Inference
C. Interpretation
D. Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Analysis involves examining data, identifying patterns, and considering
different possibilities or explanations for a clinical situation.
Question 10. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse see first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A patient who is scheduled for discharge in 1 hour
C. A patient with new-onset shortness of breath and decreased oxygen saturation
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient with new-onset shortness of breath and decreased oxygen
saturation has an immediate physiological need (airway/breathing), making them
the highest priority based on Maslow's hierarchy and ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation).
Question 11. What is the role of clinical practice guidelines in evidence-based
nursing?
A. To replace the nurse's clinical judgment entirely
B. To provide systematically developed recommendations to optimize patient care
C. To dictate the exact interventions for all patients regardless of individual needs
D. To provide legal protection for the hospital only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements that
synthesize evidence to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about
appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.
Question 12. Which step of the nursing process involves setting patient-
centered goals and expected outcomes?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The planning phase involves prioritizing problems, formulating goals
and expected outcomes, and selecting interventions tailored to the patient's needs.
Question 13. A nurse is reflecting on their clinical practice. What is the
primary purpose of reflective practice?
A. To identify areas for professional growth and improve clinical reasoning
B. To criticize colleagues
C. To complete mandatory continuing education hours
D. To justify mistakes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reflective practice involves actively thinking about one's actions and
experiences to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for learning and
improvement.
Chapters 1–3 – Academic Year 2026/2027
– Comprehensive Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS
Domain 1: Evidence-Based Nursing Care and Critical Thinking
Question 1. Which of the following best describes evidence-based nursing
care?
A. Care based solely on traditional methods used for many years
B. Integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient values
C. Care directed only by physician preference
D. Care that ignores patient preferences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing care combines the best current research
evidence, the clinician's expertise, and the patient's values and preferences to guide
clinical decisions and improve outcomes.
Question 2. The first step in the critical thinking process used by nurses when
approaching a clinical problem is typically:
A. Implementing an intervention immediately
B. Identifying and clarifying the problem or issue
C. Evaluating outcomes before assessment
D. Documenting a conclusion without data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking begins with recognizing and clearly defining the
problem or clinical issue. Subsequent steps include gathering and analyzing data,
generating options, implementing, and evaluating.
Question 3. Which level of evidence is generally considered the strongest for
guiding clinical decisions?
A. Expert opinion alone
B. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
C. Single case reports
,D. Anecdotal experience from one nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of well-designed randomized
controlled trials provide the highest level of evidence because they synthesize
findings across multiple studies and reduce bias.
Question 4. A nurse uses the nursing process to organize care. Which
sequence correctly reflects the steps of the nursing process?
A. Implementation, assessment, diagnosis, planning, evaluation
B. Assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
C. Evaluation, planning, assessment, diagnosis, implementation
D. Diagnosis, evaluation, assessment, planning, implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The standard nursing process sequence is Assessment, Nursing
Diagnosis (or problem identification), Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
(ADPIE).
Question 5. Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis?
A. Pneumonia
B. Impaired Gas Exchange
C. Myocardial Infarction
D. Diabetes Mellitus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis describes a human response to a health condition or
life process (e.g., Impaired Gas Exchange). Medical diagnoses (e.g., Pneumonia)
identify the disease itself.
Question 6. When a nurse uses critical thinking, which action demonstrates
intellectual humility?
A. Assuming the nurse knows everything about the patient's condition
B. Admitting when one does not know something and seeking out evidence
C. Ignoring contradictory data to support a preferred hypothesis
D. Refusing to consult with other healthcare team members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intellectual humility involves recognizing the limits of one's own
knowledge and being willing to seek new information and consider alternative
viewpoints.
,Question 7. What is the primary purpose of the evaluation phase of the
nursing process?
A. To collect subjective and objective data
B. To determine if the patient's goals and expected outcomes have been met
C. To establish priorities of care
D. To perform the nursing interventions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process, where the nurse
determines the patient's progress toward achieving the identified goals and
expected outcomes.
Question 8. A nurse is gathering data about a patient's pain. Which finding
represents subjective data?
A. The patient's heart rate is 110 bpm
B. The patient is grimacing and guarding the abdomen
C. The patient states, "My pain is a 7 out of 10"
D. The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data includes the patient's verbal descriptions of their
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms (e.g., pain rating). Objective data is
measurable and observable.
Question 9. Which critical thinking skill involves looking at a situation from
multiple perspectives and considering alternatives?
A. Analysis
B. Inference
C. Interpretation
D. Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Analysis involves examining data, identifying patterns, and considering
different possibilities or explanations for a clinical situation.
Question 10. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse see first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A patient who is scheduled for discharge in 1 hour
C. A patient with new-onset shortness of breath and decreased oxygen saturation
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient with new-onset shortness of breath and decreased oxygen
saturation has an immediate physiological need (airway/breathing), making them
the highest priority based on Maslow's hierarchy and ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation).
Question 11. What is the role of clinical practice guidelines in evidence-based
nursing?
A. To replace the nurse's clinical judgment entirely
B. To provide systematically developed recommendations to optimize patient care
C. To dictate the exact interventions for all patients regardless of individual needs
D. To provide legal protection for the hospital only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements that
synthesize evidence to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about
appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.
Question 12. Which step of the nursing process involves setting patient-
centered goals and expected outcomes?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The planning phase involves prioritizing problems, formulating goals
and expected outcomes, and selecting interventions tailored to the patient's needs.
Question 13. A nurse is reflecting on their clinical practice. What is the
primary purpose of reflective practice?
A. To identify areas for professional growth and improve clinical reasoning
B. To criticize colleagues
C. To complete mandatory continuing education hours
D. To justify mistakes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reflective practice involves actively thinking about one's actions and
experiences to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for learning and
improvement.
