,
,
,
,
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
6. The nurse has been assigned to care for a client admitted with an opportunistic infection secondary to
AIDS. The nurse informs the clinical nurse leader that the nurse refuses to care for a client with AIDS.
The nurse has an obligation to this client under which of the following?
A. Good Samaritan Act
B. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
C. The nurse practice act in the nurse's jurisdiction
D. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses
ANS: D
Rationale: The ethical obligation to care for all clients is included in the Code of Ethics for Nurses.
The Good Samaritan Act relates to lay people helping others in need. The NIC is a standardized
classification of nursing treatment that includes independent and collaborative interventions. Nurse
practice acts primarily address scope of practice.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 27
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Understand
NOT: Multiple Choice
7. The nurse, in collaboration with the client's family, is determining priorities related to the care of the
client. The nurse explains that it is important to consider the urgency of specific problems when setting
priorities. What should the nurse adopt as the best framework for prioritizing client problems?
A. Availability of hospital resources
B. Family member statements
C. Maslow hierarchy of needs
D. The nurse's skill set
ANS: C
Rationale: The Maslow hierarchy of needs provides a useful framework for prioritizing problems, with
the first level given to meeting physical needs of the client. Availability of hospital resources, family
member statements, and nursing skill do not provide a framework for prioritization of client problems,
though each may be considered.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 6
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
8. A medical nurse is caring for a client who is receiving palliative care following cancer metastasis. The
nurse is aware of the need to uphold the ethical principle of beneficence. How can the nurse best
exemplify this principle in the care of this client?
A. The nurse tactfully regulates the number and timing of visitors as per the client's wishes.
B. The nurse stays with the client during their death.
C. The nurse ensures that all members of the care team are aware of the client's DNR order.
D. The nurse collaborates with members of the care team to ensure continuity of care.
ANS: A
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to do good and the active promotion of benevolent acts. Enacting
the client's wishes regarding visitors is an example of this. Each of the other nursing actions is
consistent with ethical practice, but none directly exemplifies the principle of beneficence.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 25
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
______________________________________________________________________________________________
3|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice KEY: Integrated Process: Caring
BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply NOT: Multiple Choice
9. In the process of planning a client's care, the nurse has identified a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective
Health Maintenance related to alcohol use. What must precede the determination of this nursing
diagnosis?
A. Establishing of a plan to address the underlying problem
B. Assigning a positive value to each consequence of the diagnosis
C. Collecting and analyzing data that corroborate the diagnosis
D. Evaluating the client's chances of recovery
ANS: C
Rationale: In the diagnostic phase of the nursing process, the client's nursing problems are defined
through analysis of client data. Establishing a plan comes after collecting and analyzing data;
evaluating a plan is the last step of the nursing process; and assigning a positive value to each
consequence is not done.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 16
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
10. The provider has recommended an amniocentesis for an 18-year-old primiparous client. The client is at
34 weeks' gestation and does not want this procedure, but the health care provider arranges for the
amniocentesis to be performed. The nurse should recognize that the provider is in violation of which
ethical principle?
A. Veracity
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
ANS: D
Rationale: The principle of autonomy specifies that individuals have the ability to make a choice free
from external constraints. The provider's actions in this case violate this principle. This action may or
may not violate the principle of beneficence. Veracity centers on truth-telling, and nonmaleficence is
avoiding the infliction of harm.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 25
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
11. During a discussion with the client and the client's spouse, the nurse discovers that the client has a
living will. How does the presence of a living will influence the client's care?
A. The client is legally unable to refuse basic life support.
B. The health care provider can override the client's desires for treatment if desires are not
evidence based.
C. The client may nullify the living will during the hospitalization.
D. Power of attorney may change while the client is hospitalized.
ANS: C
______________________________________________________________________________________________
4|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
Rationale: Because living wills are often written when the person is in good health, it is not unusual for
the client to nullify the living will during illness. A living will does not make a client legally unable to
refuse basic life support. The health care provider may disagree with the client's wishes but is ethically
bound to carry out those wishes. A power of attorney is not synonymous with a living will.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 29
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
12. The nurse is providing care for a client who has a diagnosis of pneumonia due to Streptococcus
pneumonia infection. What aspect of nursing care would constitute part of the planning phase of the
nursing process?
A. Achieve SaO2 92% at all times.
B. Auscultate chest q4h.
C. Administer oral fluids q1h and PRN.
D. Avoid overexertion at all times.
ANS: A
Rationale: The planning phase entails specifying the immediate, intermediate, and long-term goals of
nursing action, such as maintaining a certain level of oxygen saturation in a client with pneumonia.
Providing fluids and avoiding overexertion are parts of the implementation phase of the nursing
process. Chest auscultation is an assessment.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 12
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
13. A recent nursing graduate is aware of the differences between nursing actions that are independent and
nursing actions that are interdependent. A nurse performs an interdependent nursing intervention when
performing which of the following actions?
A. Auscultating a client's apical heart rate during an admission assessment
B. Providing mouth care to a client who is unconscious following a cerebrovascular accident
C. Administering an IV bolus of normal saline to a client with hypotension
D. Providing discharge teaching to a postsurgical client about the rationale for a course of
oral antibiotics
ANS: C
Rationale: Although many nursing actions are independent, others are interdependent, such as carrying
out prescribed treatments; administering medications and therapies; collaborating with other health
care team members to accomplish specific, expected outcomes; and to monitor and manage potential
complications. Irrigating a wound, administering pain medication, and administering IV fluids are
interdependent nursing actions and require a health care provider's order. An independent nursing
action occurs when the nurse assesses a client's heart rate, provides discharge education, or provides
mouth care.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 19
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
______________________________________________________________________________________________
5|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
14. A hospital audit reveals that four clients in the hospital have current orders for restraints. The nurse
knows that restraints are an intervention of last resort, and that it is inappropriate to apply restraints to
which of the following clients?
A. A postlaryngectomy client who is attempting to pull out the tracheostomy tube
B. A client in hypovolemic shock trying to remove the dressing over a central venous
catheter
C. A client with urosepsis who is ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside
commode
D. A client with depression who has just tried to commit suicide and whose medications are
not achieving adequate symptom control
ANS: C
Rationale: Restraints should never be applied for staff convenience. The client with urosepsis who is
frequently ringing the call bell is requesting assistance to the bedside commode; this is appropriate
behavior that will not result in client harm. The other described situations could plausibly result in
client harm; therefore, it is more appropriate to apply restraints in these instances.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 28
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
15. A client agreed to be a part of a research study involving migraine headache management. The client
asks the nurse if a placebo was given for pain management or if the new drug that is undergoing
clinical trials was given. After discussing the client's distress, it becomes evident to the nurse that the
client did not fully understand the informed consent document that was signed at the start of the
research study. What is the best response by the nurse
A. "The research study is in place and there is no way to know now."
B. "I have no idea what is being given for your migraine."
C. "What difference does it make? How is your headache?"
D. "You signed the informed consent documents prior to the treatment."
ANS: A
Rationale: Telling the truth (veracity) is one of the basic principles of nursing culture. Three ethical
dilemmas in clinical practice that can directly conflict with this principle are the use of placebos
(nonactive substances used for treatment), not revealing a diagnosis to a client, and revealing a
diagnosis to persons other than the client with the diagnosis. The nurse is following the guidelines of
the research study, so re-educating the client about the study is the best the nurse can do. Saying "What
difference does it make?" or "You signed informed consent documents" is not helpful because these
statements are not supportive. While it is true that the nurse does not know what treatment the client
received, this statement is also not supportive.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 28
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation | Integrated Process: Nursing Process
BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze NOT: Multiple Choice
16. A care conference has been organized for a client with complex medical and psychosocial needs.
When applying the principles of critical thinking to this client's care planning, the nurse should most
exemplify what characteristic?
A. Willingness to observe behaviors
______________________________________________________________________________________________
6|Page
, ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
B. A desire to utilize the nursing scope of practice fully
C. An ability to base decisions on what has happened in the past
D. Openness to various viewpoints
ANS: D
Rationale: Willingness and openness to various viewpoints are inherent in critical thinking; these allow
the nurse to reflect on the current situation. An emphasis on the past, willingness to observe behaviors,
and a desire to utilize the nursing scope of practice fully are not central characteristics of critical
thinkers.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 11 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
17. The nurse is providing care for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The
nurse's most recent assessment reveals an SaO2 of 89%. The nurse is aware that part of critical thinking
is determining the significance of data that have been gathered. What characteristic of critical thinking
is used in determining the best response to this assessment finding?
A. Extrapolation
B. Inference
C. Characterization
D. Interpretation
ANS: D
Rationale: Nurses use interpretation to determine the significance of data that are gathered. This
specific process is not described as extrapolation, inference, or characterization.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 11 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Understand
NOT: Multiple Choice
18. A nurse is admitting a new client to the medical unit. During the initial nursing assessment, the nurse
has asked many supplementary open-ended questions while gathering information about the new
client. What is the nurse achieving through this approach?
A. Interpreting what the client has said
B. Evaluating what the client has said
C. Assessing what the client has said
D. Validating what the client has said
ANS: D
Rationale: Critical thinkers validate the information presented to make sure that it is accurate (not just
supposition or opinion), that it makes sense, and that it is based on fact and evidence. The nurse is not
interpreting, evaluating, or assessing the information the client has given.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 15 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation BLM: Cognitive
NOT: Multiple Choice
19. A nurse provides care on an orthopedic reconstruction unit and is admitting two new clients, both
status post knee replacement. What would be the best explanation why their care plans may be
different from each other?
A. Clients may have different qualifications for government subsidies.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
7|Page
,
,
,
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
6. The nurse has been assigned to care for a client admitted with an opportunistic infection secondary to
AIDS. The nurse informs the clinical nurse leader that the nurse refuses to care for a client with AIDS.
The nurse has an obligation to this client under which of the following?
A. Good Samaritan Act
B. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
C. The nurse practice act in the nurse's jurisdiction
D. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses
ANS: D
Rationale: The ethical obligation to care for all clients is included in the Code of Ethics for Nurses.
The Good Samaritan Act relates to lay people helping others in need. The NIC is a standardized
classification of nursing treatment that includes independent and collaborative interventions. Nurse
practice acts primarily address scope of practice.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 27
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Understand
NOT: Multiple Choice
7. The nurse, in collaboration with the client's family, is determining priorities related to the care of the
client. The nurse explains that it is important to consider the urgency of specific problems when setting
priorities. What should the nurse adopt as the best framework for prioritizing client problems?
A. Availability of hospital resources
B. Family member statements
C. Maslow hierarchy of needs
D. The nurse's skill set
ANS: C
Rationale: The Maslow hierarchy of needs provides a useful framework for prioritizing problems, with
the first level given to meeting physical needs of the client. Availability of hospital resources, family
member statements, and nursing skill do not provide a framework for prioritization of client problems,
though each may be considered.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 6
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
8. A medical nurse is caring for a client who is receiving palliative care following cancer metastasis. The
nurse is aware of the need to uphold the ethical principle of beneficence. How can the nurse best
exemplify this principle in the care of this client?
A. The nurse tactfully regulates the number and timing of visitors as per the client's wishes.
B. The nurse stays with the client during their death.
C. The nurse ensures that all members of the care team are aware of the client's DNR order.
D. The nurse collaborates with members of the care team to ensure continuity of care.
ANS: A
Rationale: Beneficence is the duty to do good and the active promotion of benevolent acts. Enacting
the client's wishes regarding visitors is an example of this. Each of the other nursing actions is
consistent with ethical practice, but none directly exemplifies the principle of beneficence.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 25
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
______________________________________________________________________________________________
3|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice KEY: Integrated Process: Caring
BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply NOT: Multiple Choice
9. In the process of planning a client's care, the nurse has identified a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective
Health Maintenance related to alcohol use. What must precede the determination of this nursing
diagnosis?
A. Establishing of a plan to address the underlying problem
B. Assigning a positive value to each consequence of the diagnosis
C. Collecting and analyzing data that corroborate the diagnosis
D. Evaluating the client's chances of recovery
ANS: C
Rationale: In the diagnostic phase of the nursing process, the client's nursing problems are defined
through analysis of client data. Establishing a plan comes after collecting and analyzing data;
evaluating a plan is the last step of the nursing process; and assigning a positive value to each
consequence is not done.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 16
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
10. The provider has recommended an amniocentesis for an 18-year-old primiparous client. The client is at
34 weeks' gestation and does not want this procedure, but the health care provider arranges for the
amniocentesis to be performed. The nurse should recognize that the provider is in violation of which
ethical principle?
A. Veracity
B. Beneficence
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Autonomy
ANS: D
Rationale: The principle of autonomy specifies that individuals have the ability to make a choice free
from external constraints. The provider's actions in this case violate this principle. This action may or
may not violate the principle of beneficence. Veracity centers on truth-telling, and nonmaleficence is
avoiding the infliction of harm.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 25
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
11. During a discussion with the client and the client's spouse, the nurse discovers that the client has a
living will. How does the presence of a living will influence the client's care?
A. The client is legally unable to refuse basic life support.
B. The health care provider can override the client's desires for treatment if desires are not
evidence based.
C. The client may nullify the living will during the hospitalization.
D. Power of attorney may change while the client is hospitalized.
ANS: C
______________________________________________________________________________________________
4|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
Rationale: Because living wills are often written when the person is in good health, it is not unusual for
the client to nullify the living will during illness. A living will does not make a client legally unable to
refuse basic life support. The health care provider may disagree with the client's wishes but is ethically
bound to carry out those wishes. A power of attorney is not synonymous with a living will.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 29
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
12. The nurse is providing care for a client who has a diagnosis of pneumonia due to Streptococcus
pneumonia infection. What aspect of nursing care would constitute part of the planning phase of the
nursing process?
A. Achieve SaO2 92% at all times.
B. Auscultate chest q4h.
C. Administer oral fluids q1h and PRN.
D. Avoid overexertion at all times.
ANS: A
Rationale: The planning phase entails specifying the immediate, intermediate, and long-term goals of
nursing action, such as maintaining a certain level of oxygen saturation in a client with pneumonia.
Providing fluids and avoiding overexertion are parts of the implementation phase of the nursing
process. Chest auscultation is an assessment.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 12
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
13. A recent nursing graduate is aware of the differences between nursing actions that are independent and
nursing actions that are interdependent. A nurse performs an interdependent nursing intervention when
performing which of the following actions?
A. Auscultating a client's apical heart rate during an admission assessment
B. Providing mouth care to a client who is unconscious following a cerebrovascular accident
C. Administering an IV bolus of normal saline to a client with hypotension
D. Providing discharge teaching to a postsurgical client about the rationale for a course of
oral antibiotics
ANS: C
Rationale: Although many nursing actions are independent, others are interdependent, such as carrying
out prescribed treatments; administering medications and therapies; collaborating with other health
care team members to accomplish specific, expected outcomes; and to monitor and manage potential
complications. Irrigating a wound, administering pain medication, and administering IV fluids are
interdependent nursing actions and require a health care provider's order. An independent nursing
action occurs when the nurse assesses a client's heart rate, provides discharge education, or provides
mouth care.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 19
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
______________________________________________________________________________________________
5|Page
,______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
14. A hospital audit reveals that four clients in the hospital have current orders for restraints. The nurse
knows that restraints are an intervention of last resort, and that it is inappropriate to apply restraints to
which of the following clients?
A. A postlaryngectomy client who is attempting to pull out the tracheostomy tube
B. A client in hypovolemic shock trying to remove the dressing over a central venous
catheter
C. A client with urosepsis who is ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside
commode
D. A client with depression who has just tried to commit suicide and whose medications are
not achieving adequate symptom control
ANS: C
Rationale: Restraints should never be applied for staff convenience. The client with urosepsis who is
frequently ringing the call bell is requesting assistance to the bedside commode; this is appropriate
behavior that will not result in client harm. The other described situations could plausibly result in
client harm; therefore, it is more appropriate to apply restraints in these instances.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 28
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
NOT: Multiple Choice
15. A client agreed to be a part of a research study involving migraine headache management. The client
asks the nurse if a placebo was given for pain management or if the new drug that is undergoing
clinical trials was given. After discussing the client's distress, it becomes evident to the nurse that the
client did not fully understand the informed consent document that was signed at the start of the
research study. What is the best response by the nurse
A. "The research study is in place and there is no way to know now."
B. "I have no idea what is being given for your migraine."
C. "What difference does it make? How is your headache?"
D. "You signed the informed consent documents prior to the treatment."
ANS: A
Rationale: Telling the truth (veracity) is one of the basic principles of nursing culture. Three ethical
dilemmas in clinical practice that can directly conflict with this principle are the use of placebos
(nonactive substances used for treatment), not revealing a diagnosis to a client, and revealing a
diagnosis to persons other than the client with the diagnosis. The nurse is following the guidelines of
the research study, so re-educating the client about the study is the best the nurse can do. Saying "What
difference does it make?" or "You signed informed consent documents" is not helpful because these
statements are not supportive. While it is true that the nurse does not know what treatment the client
received, this statement is also not supportive.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 28
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation | Integrated Process: Nursing Process
BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze NOT: Multiple Choice
16. A care conference has been organized for a client with complex medical and psychosocial needs.
When applying the principles of critical thinking to this client's care planning, the nurse should most
exemplify what characteristic?
A. Willingness to observe behaviors
______________________________________________________________________________________________
6|Page
, ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15e (Hinkle, 2022)
B. A desire to utilize the nursing scope of practice fully
C. An ability to base decisions on what has happened in the past
D. Openness to various viewpoints
ANS: D
Rationale: Willingness and openness to various viewpoints are inherent in critical thinking; these allow
the nurse to reflect on the current situation. An emphasis on the past, willingness to observe behaviors,
and a desire to utilize the nursing scope of practice fully are not central characteristics of critical
thinkers.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 11 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
NOT: Multiple Choice
17. The nurse is providing care for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The
nurse's most recent assessment reveals an SaO2 of 89%. The nurse is aware that part of critical thinking
is determining the significance of data that have been gathered. What characteristic of critical thinking
is used in determining the best response to this assessment finding?
A. Extrapolation
B. Inference
C. Characterization
D. Interpretation
ANS: D
Rationale: Nurses use interpretation to determine the significance of data that are gathered. This
specific process is not described as extrapolation, inference, or characterization.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 11 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Nursing Process BLM: Cognitive Level: Understand
NOT: Multiple Choice
18. A nurse is admitting a new client to the medical unit. During the initial nursing assessment, the nurse
has asked many supplementary open-ended questions while gathering information about the new
client. What is the nurse achieving through this approach?
A. Interpreting what the client has said
B. Evaluating what the client has said
C. Assessing what the client has said
D. Validating what the client has said
ANS: D
Rationale: Critical thinkers validate the information presented to make sure that it is accurate (not just
supposition or opinion), that it makes sense, and that it is based on fact and evidence. The nurse is not
interpreting, evaluating, or assessing the information the client has given.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 15 NAT: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation BLM: Cognitive
NOT: Multiple Choice
19. A nurse provides care on an orthopedic reconstruction unit and is admitting two new clients, both
status post knee replacement. What would be the best explanation why their care plans may be
different from each other?
A. Clients may have different qualifications for government subsidies.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
7|Page
