NUR166 Comprehensive Final Exam
Practice
Section 1: The Nursing Process (ADPIE) and Critical Thinking (Questions 1-25)
1. A new nurse is trying to understand the difference between critical thinking and the nursing
process. Which statement accurately describes their relationship?
A. Critical thinking is a step-by-step linear process, while the nursing process is fluid.
B. The nursing process is a specific framework that requires critical thinking at each phase.
C. Critical thinking is used only during the assessment phase of the nursing process.
D. The nursing process and critical thinking are two distinct methods that do not overlap.
2. A nurse assesses a patient and finds an elevated temperature. Before reporting this to the provider,
the nurse retakes the temperature with a different thermometer. This action is an example of which
step of the nursing process?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
3. After analyzing patient data, a nurse identifies the following nursing diagnosis: "Risk for Falls
related to unsteady gait." This step is known as:
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
4. A nurse is writing goals for a patient with impaired mobility. Which of the following is an example
of a correctly written, measurable, patient-centered goal?
A. The patient will ambulate with a walker.
B. The nurse will assist the patient to walk in the hallway twice this shift.
C. The patient will walk from the bed to the doorway and back with the assistance of a walker by the
end of the shift.
D. The patient will have improved mobility before discharge.
,5. A nurse is providing oral care to a patient who is unable to perform the task independently. This
action falls under which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
6. During the evaluation phase, a nurse finds that a patient has not met the expected outcome of
"pulse oximetry > 95% on room air." What should be the nurse's next action?
A. Document that the outcome was not met and continue with the plan of care.
B. Reassess the patient and modify the plan of care as needed.
C. Blame the patient for non-compliance.
D. Wait for the physician to write a new order.
7. A nurse says to a colleague, "I need to think about why my patient's pain wasn't relieved by the
intervention I chose. What could I have done differently?" This is an example of:
A. Reflection-on-action
B. Reflection-in-action
C. A medical diagnosis
D. A collaborative problem
8. The ability to perform a task, such as starting an IV, with confidence and precision is an example of
which blended competency?
A. Cognitive competency
B. Interpersonal competency
C. Technical competency
D. Ethical/Legal competency
9. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. "I feel nauseated."
B. "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
C. Blood pressure 150/90 mmHg
D. "I haven't slept well in a week."
10. A patient states, "I feel like my heart is racing." The nurse palpates a rapid, irregular pulse. The
patient's statement is an example of what type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. A nursing diagnosis
D. An inference
11. A nurse enters a patient's room and finds the patient grimacing and holding their abdomen. These
observations are considered:
A. Cues
, B. Inferences
C. Nursing diagnoses
D. Goals
12. When prioritizing patient care, a nurse uses Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Which patient should
the nurse see first?
A. A patient with questions about their discharge medications.
B. A patient who is short of breath with an O2 saturation of 88%.
C. A patient who is lonely and requests someone to talk to.
D. A patient who needs assistance with bathing.
13. Which of the following is the most important priority when caring for any patient?
A. Maintaining the patient's self-esteem
B. Ensuring a safe environment
C. Following the physician's orders
D. Keeping the patient's family informed
14. A nurse is using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to set priorities. Which patient should
the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a new onset of confusion.
B. A patient with a tracheostomy who is experiencing respiratory distress.
C. A patient who reports incisional pain of 6/10.
D. A patient who has a low-grade fever.
15. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which of the following is written in the correct three-
part format?
A. Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient reporting pain 8/10 and grimacing.
B. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to pneumonia.
C. Risk for Infection related to surgical incision.
D. Constipation: patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days.
16. The primary difference between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis is that a nursing
diagnosis:
A. Is prescribed by a physician.
B. Focuses on the treatment of disease.
C. Describes a human response to a health condition.
D. Cannot be changed by nursing interventions.
17. Which of the following is an example of a collaborative problem?
A. Impaired Skin Integrity
B. Risk for Bleeding related to anticoagulant therapy
C. Anxiety
D. Deficient Knowledge
Practice
Section 1: The Nursing Process (ADPIE) and Critical Thinking (Questions 1-25)
1. A new nurse is trying to understand the difference between critical thinking and the nursing
process. Which statement accurately describes their relationship?
A. Critical thinking is a step-by-step linear process, while the nursing process is fluid.
B. The nursing process is a specific framework that requires critical thinking at each phase.
C. Critical thinking is used only during the assessment phase of the nursing process.
D. The nursing process and critical thinking are two distinct methods that do not overlap.
2. A nurse assesses a patient and finds an elevated temperature. Before reporting this to the provider,
the nurse retakes the temperature with a different thermometer. This action is an example of which
step of the nursing process?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
3. After analyzing patient data, a nurse identifies the following nursing diagnosis: "Risk for Falls
related to unsteady gait." This step is known as:
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
4. A nurse is writing goals for a patient with impaired mobility. Which of the following is an example
of a correctly written, measurable, patient-centered goal?
A. The patient will ambulate with a walker.
B. The nurse will assist the patient to walk in the hallway twice this shift.
C. The patient will walk from the bed to the doorway and back with the assistance of a walker by the
end of the shift.
D. The patient will have improved mobility before discharge.
,5. A nurse is providing oral care to a patient who is unable to perform the task independently. This
action falls under which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
6. During the evaluation phase, a nurse finds that a patient has not met the expected outcome of
"pulse oximetry > 95% on room air." What should be the nurse's next action?
A. Document that the outcome was not met and continue with the plan of care.
B. Reassess the patient and modify the plan of care as needed.
C. Blame the patient for non-compliance.
D. Wait for the physician to write a new order.
7. A nurse says to a colleague, "I need to think about why my patient's pain wasn't relieved by the
intervention I chose. What could I have done differently?" This is an example of:
A. Reflection-on-action
B. Reflection-in-action
C. A medical diagnosis
D. A collaborative problem
8. The ability to perform a task, such as starting an IV, with confidence and precision is an example of
which blended competency?
A. Cognitive competency
B. Interpersonal competency
C. Technical competency
D. Ethical/Legal competency
9. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. "I feel nauseated."
B. "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
C. Blood pressure 150/90 mmHg
D. "I haven't slept well in a week."
10. A patient states, "I feel like my heart is racing." The nurse palpates a rapid, irregular pulse. The
patient's statement is an example of what type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. A nursing diagnosis
D. An inference
11. A nurse enters a patient's room and finds the patient grimacing and holding their abdomen. These
observations are considered:
A. Cues
, B. Inferences
C. Nursing diagnoses
D. Goals
12. When prioritizing patient care, a nurse uses Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Which patient should
the nurse see first?
A. A patient with questions about their discharge medications.
B. A patient who is short of breath with an O2 saturation of 88%.
C. A patient who is lonely and requests someone to talk to.
D. A patient who needs assistance with bathing.
13. Which of the following is the most important priority when caring for any patient?
A. Maintaining the patient's self-esteem
B. Ensuring a safe environment
C. Following the physician's orders
D. Keeping the patient's family informed
14. A nurse is using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) to set priorities. Which patient should
the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a new onset of confusion.
B. A patient with a tracheostomy who is experiencing respiratory distress.
C. A patient who reports incisional pain of 6/10.
D. A patient who has a low-grade fever.
15. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which of the following is written in the correct three-
part format?
A. Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient reporting pain 8/10 and grimacing.
B. Ineffective Airway Clearance related to pneumonia.
C. Risk for Infection related to surgical incision.
D. Constipation: patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days.
16. The primary difference between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis is that a nursing
diagnosis:
A. Is prescribed by a physician.
B. Focuses on the treatment of disease.
C. Describes a human response to a health condition.
D. Cannot be changed by nursing interventions.
17. Which of the following is an example of a collaborative problem?
A. Impaired Skin Integrity
B. Risk for Bleeding related to anticoagulant therapy
C. Anxiety
D. Deficient Knowledge
