NUR234 Exam 1 Review | Nursing Test Questions & Answer
Key | 2026/2027
1. When communicating throughout the hospital system, the nurse uses the
SBAR format. What does SBAR stand for?
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Situation, Build, Assess, Request
Safety, Background, Assessment, Review
Safety, Basics, Ask, Recommend
2. Describe the role of auscultation in the assessment phase of nursing practice.
Auscultation is used to administer medications to patients.
Auscultation is primarily used for evaluating treatment outcomes.
Auscultation helps nurses gather vital information about a patient's
respiratory status.
Auscultation is a method for planning patient care.
3. Why do nurses use reflection on and in their nursing practice?
To clear their mind so that they do not miss anything that might be
happening
To unwind from a shift and forget about what happened
To make sense of their experiences so they can learn from them and
make changes if required
To make sense of what is happening so they can never make that
mistake again
,4. In a scenario where a patient shows no improvement after a week of therapy,
how should a nurse utilize reflecting-in-action to address the situation?
The nurse should document the lack of improvement and move to the
next patient.
The nurse should evaluate the patient's response and consider
modifying or discontinuing the therapy.
The nurse should consult with the physician but not change the
therapy.
The nurse should continue the therapy without changes.
5. Acute versus Chronic: Sets the priority of acute needs before chronic needs.
Example of prioritizing between clients. Which client should the nurse see
first?
A client with a history of rheumatoid arthritis awaiting X-rays
A client with a history of hypertension presenting with a BP of 140/82
A client presenting with a new onset of fever, nausea and severe
RLQ pain
A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
awaiting a flu vaccine
6. Describe how the acute vs chronic framework affects decision-making in
nursing practice.
It suggests that chronic conditions should be prioritized at all times.
It emphasizes the importance of chronic care management over acute
care.
It guides nurses to focus on patients with acute conditions that
require immediate attention.
, It encourages nurses to treat all patients equally regardless of
condition.
7. A patient presents with low urine output. How should a nurse apply the
'interpreting' step to address this issue?
By analyzing the patient's symptoms and medical history to
determine possible underlying causes.
By documenting the urine output in the patient's chart only.
By consulting with the physician without conducting any assessments.
By immediately administering diuretics without further assessment.
8. In a scenario where a nurse has to choose between a patient with a new
onset heart attack and a patient with a stable chronic illness, which patient
should the nurse prioritize based on the acute vs chronic framework?
The patient with a stable chronic illness.
Both patients should be treated simultaneously.
The patient with a chronic illness should be prioritized due to
familiarity.
The patient with a new onset heart attack.
9. Describe how reflective practice contributes to critical thinking in nursing.
Reflective practice does not influence critical thinking in nursing.
Reflective practice is primarily focused on patient care
documentation.
Reflective practice allows nurses to evaluate their experiences and
improve their decision-making skills.
Reflective practice is a method for teaching nursing students only.
Key | 2026/2027
1. When communicating throughout the hospital system, the nurse uses the
SBAR format. What does SBAR stand for?
Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Situation, Build, Assess, Request
Safety, Background, Assessment, Review
Safety, Basics, Ask, Recommend
2. Describe the role of auscultation in the assessment phase of nursing practice.
Auscultation is used to administer medications to patients.
Auscultation is primarily used for evaluating treatment outcomes.
Auscultation helps nurses gather vital information about a patient's
respiratory status.
Auscultation is a method for planning patient care.
3. Why do nurses use reflection on and in their nursing practice?
To clear their mind so that they do not miss anything that might be
happening
To unwind from a shift and forget about what happened
To make sense of their experiences so they can learn from them and
make changes if required
To make sense of what is happening so they can never make that
mistake again
,4. In a scenario where a patient shows no improvement after a week of therapy,
how should a nurse utilize reflecting-in-action to address the situation?
The nurse should document the lack of improvement and move to the
next patient.
The nurse should evaluate the patient's response and consider
modifying or discontinuing the therapy.
The nurse should consult with the physician but not change the
therapy.
The nurse should continue the therapy without changes.
5. Acute versus Chronic: Sets the priority of acute needs before chronic needs.
Example of prioritizing between clients. Which client should the nurse see
first?
A client with a history of rheumatoid arthritis awaiting X-rays
A client with a history of hypertension presenting with a BP of 140/82
A client presenting with a new onset of fever, nausea and severe
RLQ pain
A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
awaiting a flu vaccine
6. Describe how the acute vs chronic framework affects decision-making in
nursing practice.
It suggests that chronic conditions should be prioritized at all times.
It emphasizes the importance of chronic care management over acute
care.
It guides nurses to focus on patients with acute conditions that
require immediate attention.
, It encourages nurses to treat all patients equally regardless of
condition.
7. A patient presents with low urine output. How should a nurse apply the
'interpreting' step to address this issue?
By analyzing the patient's symptoms and medical history to
determine possible underlying causes.
By documenting the urine output in the patient's chart only.
By consulting with the physician without conducting any assessments.
By immediately administering diuretics without further assessment.
8. In a scenario where a nurse has to choose between a patient with a new
onset heart attack and a patient with a stable chronic illness, which patient
should the nurse prioritize based on the acute vs chronic framework?
The patient with a stable chronic illness.
Both patients should be treated simultaneously.
The patient with a chronic illness should be prioritized due to
familiarity.
The patient with a new onset heart attack.
9. Describe how reflective practice contributes to critical thinking in nursing.
Reflective practice does not influence critical thinking in nursing.
Reflective practice is primarily focused on patient care
documentation.
Reflective practice allows nurses to evaluate their experiences and
improve their decision-making skills.
Reflective practice is a method for teaching nursing students only.
