NSG 3130 NURSING CONCEPTS & CLINICAL JUDGMENT EXAM 1-4 BUNDLE
2026/2027 | 306 VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING PREP | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Patient Safety and Infection Control
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Concepts
Medication Administration and IV Therapy
Wound Care and Surgical Asepsis
Ethical and Legal Principles in Nursing
Therapeutic Communication and Patient Education
Perioperative and Postoperative Care
Health Assessment and Vital Signs
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing students' mastery of
fundamental concepts and clinical judgment skills essential for safe, evidence-
based practice. The examination integrates multiple-choice and scenario-based
questions designed to test critical thinking, prioritization, and decision-making in
real-world clinical situations. Content aligns with the Next Generation NCLEX
clinical judgment framework, emphasizing the nursing process, patient safety,
pharmacology, and professional standards. This resource supports exam readiness
by reinforcing core knowledge, applied reasoning, and the ability to recognize and
respond to changes in patient status across diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who reports sudden onset of severe abdominal
pain with rigidity and rebound tenderness. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Document the findings and continue monitoring
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden severe abdominal pain with rigidity and rebound
tenderness suggests a surgical emergency such as perforation or peritonitis. The
nurse must notify the provider immediately for further evaluation and possible
surgical intervention.
2. Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the "noticing" phase of
Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model?
A. "The patient's heart rate increased from 72 to 118 over the past hour."
B. "I will administer the ordered antiemetic now."
C. "The patient's nausea is likely related to the new medication."
D. "I should have checked the blood pressure before giving the medication."
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Noticing is the first phase of Tanner's model and involves
recognizing relevant clinical data and changes in the patient's condition.
Identifying a change in heart rate is an example of noticing.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is the
priority before initiating the transfusion?
A. Verify the blood product with another nurse at the bedside
B. Obtain the patient's vital signs
C. Explain the procedure to the patient
D. Ensure the IV line is patent with normal saline
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority before initiating a blood transfusion is to verify the
blood product with another qualified healthcare professional at the bedside to
prevent a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
4. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely to prevent complications
such as dysrhythmias.
5. Which nursing action best demonstrates the ethical principle of veracity?
A. Keeping a patient's diagnosis confidential
B. Telling a patient the truth about their prognosis
, C. Providing equal care to all patients regardless of background
D. Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness. Telling a patient the
truth about their prognosis demonstrates veracity.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Stoma is pink and moist
B. Stoma is dark purple and dry
C. Small amount of bleeding at the stoma site
D. Output is liquid and green
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A stoma that is dark purple or black and dry indicates ischemia or
necrosis and requires immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
patient be instructed to avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Steamed broccoli
🟢B
2026/2027 | 306 VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING PREP | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Patient Safety and Infection Control
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Concepts
Medication Administration and IV Therapy
Wound Care and Surgical Asepsis
Ethical and Legal Principles in Nursing
Therapeutic Communication and Patient Education
Perioperative and Postoperative Care
Health Assessment and Vital Signs
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing students' mastery of
fundamental concepts and clinical judgment skills essential for safe, evidence-
based practice. The examination integrates multiple-choice and scenario-based
questions designed to test critical thinking, prioritization, and decision-making in
real-world clinical situations. Content aligns with the Next Generation NCLEX
clinical judgment framework, emphasizing the nursing process, patient safety,
pharmacology, and professional standards. This resource supports exam readiness
by reinforcing core knowledge, applied reasoning, and the ability to recognize and
respond to changes in patient status across diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who reports sudden onset of severe abdominal
pain with rigidity and rebound tenderness. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Document the findings and continue monitoring
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden severe abdominal pain with rigidity and rebound
tenderness suggests a surgical emergency such as perforation or peritonitis. The
nurse must notify the provider immediately for further evaluation and possible
surgical intervention.
2. Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates the "noticing" phase of
Tanner's Clinical Judgment Model?
A. "The patient's heart rate increased from 72 to 118 over the past hour."
B. "I will administer the ordered antiemetic now."
C. "The patient's nausea is likely related to the new medication."
D. "I should have checked the blood pressure before giving the medication."
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Noticing is the first phase of Tanner's model and involves
recognizing relevant clinical data and changes in the patient's condition.
Identifying a change in heart rate is an example of noticing.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is the
priority before initiating the transfusion?
A. Verify the blood product with another nurse at the bedside
B. Obtain the patient's vital signs
C. Explain the procedure to the patient
D. Ensure the IV line is patent with normal saline
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority before initiating a blood transfusion is to verify the
blood product with another qualified healthcare professional at the bedside to
prevent a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
4. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely to prevent complications
such as dysrhythmias.
5. Which nursing action best demonstrates the ethical principle of veracity?
A. Keeping a patient's diagnosis confidential
B. Telling a patient the truth about their prognosis
, C. Providing equal care to all patients regardless of background
D. Respecting a patient's decision to refuse treatment
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness. Telling a patient the
truth about their prognosis demonstrates veracity.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Stoma is pink and moist
B. Stoma is dark purple and dry
C. Small amount of bleeding at the stoma site
D. Output is liquid and green
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A stoma that is dark purple or black and dry indicates ischemia or
necrosis and requires immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
patient be instructed to avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Grilled chicken breast
D. Steamed broccoli
🟢B
