N261 Exam 3 Actual Exam V2 | N261 Nursing (N261 Exam 3) |
University of California, Los Angeles
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic illness who is struggling to adapt to their new
lifestyle limitations. Which nursing action best demonstrates the holistic approach to care?
A. Focusing solely on the patient’s physical symptoms and medication adherence.
B. Providing the patient with a standardized list of local support groups.
C. Consulting the physician to increase the patient’s anti-anxiety medication.
D. Exploring the patient’s spiritual, emotional, and social needs alongside their physical
health.
Answer: D
Rationale: Holistic nursing involves treating the whole person rather than just the disease
process. By exploring spiritual, emotional, and social needs, the nurse acknowledges that
these factors significantly impact physical recovery and adaptation. This approach fosters a
deeper therapeutic relationship and promotes overall well-being beyond clinical
stabilization.
2. When planning discharge for a patient with a new permanent disability, which action by
the nurse is most important to ensure a successful transition home?
A. Collaborating with an interprofessional team to assess home safety and resource needs.
B. Completing all discharge paperwork as quickly as possible on the day of departure.
C. Telling the family they are responsible for all care coordination once the patient leaves.
D. Assuming the patient understands all instructions because they nodded during the
teaching session.
Answer: A
Rationale: Successful discharge planning requires an interprofessional approach involving
social workers, physical therapists, and case managers. Assessing the home environment
and identifying necessary resources prevents readmission and ensures patient safety. A
collaborative plan addresses complex needs that a single clinician might overlook.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about
energy conservation. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should sit down while I brush my teeth or comb my hair.
B. I will exhale while I am lifting objects or exerting myself.
C. I plan to do all my heavy housework in the morning to get it over with quickly.
,D. I will take frequent rest breaks between my daily activities.
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with COPD should pace their activities throughout the day rather than
clustering heavy tasks, which can lead to severe dyspnea and exhaustion. Energy
conservation focuses on balancing activity with rest to maintain functional independence.
Clumping strenuous activities together is counterproductive to the goals of chronic
respiratory management.
4. Which strategy is most effective for a nurse to use when teaching a patient with low health
literacy about their new medication regimen?
A. Using medical terminology to ensure the patient learns the correct names of drugs.
B. Utilizing the ‘teach-back’ method to verify the patient’s understanding.
C. Providing long, detailed pamphlets with comprehensive clinical data.
D. Suggesting the patient look up the medications on various internet forums.
Answer: B
Rationale: The teach-back method is a gold standard for assessing comprehension in
patients with varying literacy levels. It requires the patient to explain the information in
their own words, allowing the nurse to identify gaps in knowledge. This technique
promotes patient safety and empowers the individual to manage their own care effectively.
5. A patient from a different cultural background refuses a necessary blood transfusion due to
religious beliefs. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility as a patient advocate?
A. Respecting the patient’s right to refuse and ensuring the medical team is informed.
B. Attempting to persuade the patient that their life is more important than their beliefs.
C. Asking the family to sign the consent form against the patient’s wishes.
D. Transferring the patient to another unit so the nurse doesn’t have to deal with the
conflict.
Answer: A
Rationale: Patient advocacy involves upholding the patient’s autonomy and their right to
make informed decisions based on their personal values. The nurse must ensure the
patient understands the risks of refusal while respecting their choice without judgment.
This demonstrates cultural competence and ethical nursing practice regarding self-
determination.
6. In the Corbin and Strauss Trajectory Model of chronic illness, what characterizes the
‘Comeback’ phase?
A. The period following an acute event where the patient works toward a new baseline.
, B. A rapid decline in health leading to the end of life.
C. The initial diagnosis of a chronic condition.
D. A phase where symptoms are stable and controlled by home management.
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘Comeback’ phase involves the patient’s journey of physical and
psychosocial rehabilitation after a crisis or acute exacerbation. It focuses on the patient
adapting to changes and striving to regain as much function as possible. Understanding
these phases helps nurses provide appropriate support tailored to the patient’s current
stage of illness.
7. A nurse is assessing a family’s ability to care for an elderly relative with dementia. Which
finding suggests ‘caregiver burden’?
A. The caregiver expresses satisfaction with the care they provide.
B. The caregiver has recently started attending a local support group.
C. The caregiver reports insomnia, social isolation, and irritability.
D. The caregiver asks for a list of resources for respite care.
Answer: C
Rationale: Caregiver burden manifests as physical, emotional, and financial stress
resulting from the demands of caring for a chronically ill person. Symptoms like insomnia
and social isolation indicate that the caregiver’s own health is being compromised.
Identifying these signs early allows the nurse to intervene with psychosocial support and
resource referrals.
8. Which of the following is a key component of the ‘Rehabilitation’ philosophy in nursing?
A. Doing as much for the patient as possible to prevent them from getting tired.
B. Focusing on the patient’s deficits rather than their remaining abilities.
C. Ensuring the patient stays in bed to avoid the risk of falling.
D. Empowering the patient to achieve their highest level of independent function.
Answer: D
Rationale: Rehabilitation nursing focuses on maximizing a patient’s potential and
promoting independence despite physical or cognitive impairments. It emphasizes what
the patient can do and provides strategies to overcome barriers. This approach shifts the
focus from disability to ability and functional improvement.
University of California, Los Angeles
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic illness who is struggling to adapt to their new
lifestyle limitations. Which nursing action best demonstrates the holistic approach to care?
A. Focusing solely on the patient’s physical symptoms and medication adherence.
B. Providing the patient with a standardized list of local support groups.
C. Consulting the physician to increase the patient’s anti-anxiety medication.
D. Exploring the patient’s spiritual, emotional, and social needs alongside their physical
health.
Answer: D
Rationale: Holistic nursing involves treating the whole person rather than just the disease
process. By exploring spiritual, emotional, and social needs, the nurse acknowledges that
these factors significantly impact physical recovery and adaptation. This approach fosters a
deeper therapeutic relationship and promotes overall well-being beyond clinical
stabilization.
2. When planning discharge for a patient with a new permanent disability, which action by
the nurse is most important to ensure a successful transition home?
A. Collaborating with an interprofessional team to assess home safety and resource needs.
B. Completing all discharge paperwork as quickly as possible on the day of departure.
C. Telling the family they are responsible for all care coordination once the patient leaves.
D. Assuming the patient understands all instructions because they nodded during the
teaching session.
Answer: A
Rationale: Successful discharge planning requires an interprofessional approach involving
social workers, physical therapists, and case managers. Assessing the home environment
and identifying necessary resources prevents readmission and ensures patient safety. A
collaborative plan addresses complex needs that a single clinician might overlook.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about
energy conservation. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should sit down while I brush my teeth or comb my hair.
B. I will exhale while I am lifting objects or exerting myself.
C. I plan to do all my heavy housework in the morning to get it over with quickly.
,D. I will take frequent rest breaks between my daily activities.
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with COPD should pace their activities throughout the day rather than
clustering heavy tasks, which can lead to severe dyspnea and exhaustion. Energy
conservation focuses on balancing activity with rest to maintain functional independence.
Clumping strenuous activities together is counterproductive to the goals of chronic
respiratory management.
4. Which strategy is most effective for a nurse to use when teaching a patient with low health
literacy about their new medication regimen?
A. Using medical terminology to ensure the patient learns the correct names of drugs.
B. Utilizing the ‘teach-back’ method to verify the patient’s understanding.
C. Providing long, detailed pamphlets with comprehensive clinical data.
D. Suggesting the patient look up the medications on various internet forums.
Answer: B
Rationale: The teach-back method is a gold standard for assessing comprehension in
patients with varying literacy levels. It requires the patient to explain the information in
their own words, allowing the nurse to identify gaps in knowledge. This technique
promotes patient safety and empowers the individual to manage their own care effectively.
5. A patient from a different cultural background refuses a necessary blood transfusion due to
religious beliefs. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility as a patient advocate?
A. Respecting the patient’s right to refuse and ensuring the medical team is informed.
B. Attempting to persuade the patient that their life is more important than their beliefs.
C. Asking the family to sign the consent form against the patient’s wishes.
D. Transferring the patient to another unit so the nurse doesn’t have to deal with the
conflict.
Answer: A
Rationale: Patient advocacy involves upholding the patient’s autonomy and their right to
make informed decisions based on their personal values. The nurse must ensure the
patient understands the risks of refusal while respecting their choice without judgment.
This demonstrates cultural competence and ethical nursing practice regarding self-
determination.
6. In the Corbin and Strauss Trajectory Model of chronic illness, what characterizes the
‘Comeback’ phase?
A. The period following an acute event where the patient works toward a new baseline.
, B. A rapid decline in health leading to the end of life.
C. The initial diagnosis of a chronic condition.
D. A phase where symptoms are stable and controlled by home management.
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘Comeback’ phase involves the patient’s journey of physical and
psychosocial rehabilitation after a crisis or acute exacerbation. It focuses on the patient
adapting to changes and striving to regain as much function as possible. Understanding
these phases helps nurses provide appropriate support tailored to the patient’s current
stage of illness.
7. A nurse is assessing a family’s ability to care for an elderly relative with dementia. Which
finding suggests ‘caregiver burden’?
A. The caregiver expresses satisfaction with the care they provide.
B. The caregiver has recently started attending a local support group.
C. The caregiver reports insomnia, social isolation, and irritability.
D. The caregiver asks for a list of resources for respite care.
Answer: C
Rationale: Caregiver burden manifests as physical, emotional, and financial stress
resulting from the demands of caring for a chronically ill person. Symptoms like insomnia
and social isolation indicate that the caregiver’s own health is being compromised.
Identifying these signs early allows the nurse to intervene with psychosocial support and
resource referrals.
8. Which of the following is a key component of the ‘Rehabilitation’ philosophy in nursing?
A. Doing as much for the patient as possible to prevent them from getting tired.
B. Focusing on the patient’s deficits rather than their remaining abilities.
C. Ensuring the patient stays in bed to avoid the risk of falling.
D. Empowering the patient to achieve their highest level of independent function.
Answer: D
Rationale: Rehabilitation nursing focuses on maximizing a patient’s potential and
promoting independence despite physical or cognitive impairments. It emphasizes what
the patient can do and provides strategies to overcome barriers. This approach shifts the
focus from disability to ability and functional improvement.
