Chapter 14 Older Adults Fundamentals of Nursing 11th Edition (Potter & Perry) 50 NCLEX-Style Exam Questions with Detailed Rationales

1. A nurse is assessing a client who is confused and has been noncompliant with medication. Which step of critical thinking is the nurse performing when identifying this client’s problem? A. Interpretation B. Analysis C. Evaluation D. Inference Answer: A. Interpretation Rationale: Interpretation involves understanding and explaining the meaning of the data gathered, such as recognizing client confusion and noncompliance as problems requiring intervention. ________________________________________ 2. Which action best demonstrates the use of critical thinking in nursing practice? A. Following physician orders without question B. Applying evidence-based guidelines to patient care C. Performing routine tasks without reflection D. Relying solely on past experiences Answer: B. Applying evidence-based guidelines to patient care Rationale: Critical thinking involves using current best evidence in decision-making, rather than blindly following orders or relying only on experience. ________________________________________ 3. When a nurse questions the validity of a new protocol, which critical thinking skill is being used? A. Reflection B. Explanation C. Evaluation D. Inference Answer: C. Evaluation Rationale: Evaluation involves assessing the credibility and usefulness of information or protocols before application. ________________________________________ 4. What is a key characteristic of a critical thinker in nursing? A. Accepting information at face value B. Being open-minded and willing to consider alternatives C. Avoiding collaboration with others D. Acting quickly without data Answer: B. Being open-minded and willing to consider alternatives Rationale: Critical thinkers are open to different perspectives and willing to revise their opinions based on evidence. ________________________________________ 5. A nurse uses the nursing process to plan care. Which step requires critical thinking to prioritize interventions? A. Assessment B. Diagnosis C. Planning D. Implementation Answer: C. Planning Rationale: Prioritizing interventions during the planning phase requires critical thinking to determine which actions will have the greatest impact on patient outcomes. ________________________________________ 6. A nurse reflects on a clinical decision that resulted in an unexpected patient outcome. What type of critical thinking is demonstrated? A. Deductive reasoning B. Reflective thinking C. Intuitive thinking D. Analytical thinking Answer: B. Reflective thinking Rationale: Reflective thinking involves reviewing and analyzing past experiences to improve future practice. ________________________________________ 7. Which nursing action best exemplifies inductive reasoning? A. Applying a general guideline to a specific patient case B. Formulating a general conclusion from specific patient data C. Following a step-by-step protocol D. Memorizing clinical facts Answer: B. Formulating a general conclusion from specific patient data Rationale: Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broader generalizations. ________________________________________ 8. A nurse critically appraises a research article. Which is the primary focus during appraisal? A. The popularity of the author B. The validity and reliability of the study C. The number of pages in the article D. The journal’s impact factor Answer: B. The validity and reliability of the study Rationale: Critical appraisal focuses on the quality and trustworthiness of research evidence. ________________________________________ 9. Which question best encourages critical thinking during patient assessment? A. “What symptoms have you noticed?” B. “Do you take your medications?” C. “Why don’t you follow your diet?” D. “When was your last visit?” Answer: A. “What symptoms have you noticed?” Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to provide detailed information, promoting critical thinking. ________________________________________ 10. When prioritizing patient care, what is the nurse’s primary consideration? A. The patient’s personal preferences B. The severity of the patient’s condition C. The physician’s convenience D. The time of day Answer: B. The severity of the patient’s condition Rationale: Prioritization is based on clinical urgency and patient safety. ________________________________________ 11. During critical thinking, what does the nurse do when identifying assumptions? A. Accepts all information as true B. Recognizes and questions underlying beliefs C. Ignores conflicting data D. Avoids reflecting on personal bias Answer: B. Recognizes and questions underlying beliefs Rationale: Identifying assumptions is essential to prevent bias and errors in judgment. ________________________________________ 12. Which is an example of deductive reasoning in nursing? A. A nurse observes rash and concludes it is an allergic reaction based on known patterns B. A nurse guesses the diagnosis without evidence C. A nurse recalls a past patient with similar symptoms D. A nurse ignores patient data Answer: A. A nurse observes rash and concludes it is an allergic reaction based on known patterns Rationale: Deductive reasoning moves from general knowledge to specific conclusions. ________________________________________ 13. How does a nurse best demonstrate intellectual humility? A. Accepting that knowledge is limited and being willing to learn B. Ignoring advice from colleagues C. Overestimating personal skills D. Refusing to consider new evidence Answer: A. Accepting that knowledge is limited and being willing to learn Rationale: Intellectual humility allows nurses to recognize gaps in knowledge and seek improvement. ________________________________________ 14. Which factor enhances critical thinking in nursing? A. Routine and repetition B. Exposure to diverse clinical experiences C. Rigid adherence to tradition D. Avoiding questioning Answer: B. Exposure to diverse clinical experiences Rationale: Varied experiences broaden knowledge and improve critical thinking skills. ________________________________________ 15. A nurse uses critical thinking to plan discharge teaching. What should be the nurse’s first step? A. Provide written instructions B. Assess the patient’s learning needs and readiness C. Schedule a follow-up appointment D. Assume the patient understands Answer: B. Assess the patient’s learning needs and readiness Rationale: Teaching should be tailored to the patient’s current ability and motivation to learn.