NURS 102 :Fundamentals of Nursing
Part I: Foundations of Nursing Practice & The Nursing Process
1. Question: What are the four main goals of the nursing profession as defined by modern practice?
Answer: The four main goals are: 1) To promote health (facilitating lifestyles that enhance well-being),
2) To prevent illness (educational programs and immunizations), 3) To restore health (direct care during
illness, rehabilitation), and 4) To facilitate coping with death or disability (providing comfort and dignity)
2. Question: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. List the five sequential steps of
this process.
Answer: The five steps are: 1) Assessment (collecting data), 2) Diagnosis (analyzing data to identify
health problems), 3) Planning (setting goals and outcomes), 4) Implementation (performing the
interventions), and 5) Evaluation (determining if goals were met) .
3. Question: During the assessment phase, what is the difference between subjective and objective
data?
Answer: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health problems—what the
patient "says." For example, "I feel nauseous." Objective data are observable and measurable facts
gathered by the nurse—what the nurse "observes," such as a blood pressure reading, pale skin, or lab
results .
4. Question: A patient has just been diagnosed with diabetes. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs, which need should the nurse prioritize first when planning care?
Answer: According to Maslow, physiological needs are the most basic and must be addressed first.
This includes the need for air, food, water, shelter, and sleep. The nurse would prioritize any immediate
threats to airway, breathing, or circulation before addressing teaching about the new diagnosis .
, 5. Question: A nurse writes the following nursing diagnosis: "Impaired Skin Integrity related to
immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the coccyx." Identify the three parts of this
diagnostic statement.
Answer: This is a "PES" statement: 1) P (Problem) - Impaired Skin Integrity, 2) E (Etiology/cause) -
related to immobility, and 3) S (Signs/Symptoms) - as evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the coccyx .
6. Question: What is the difference between a collaborative problem and a nursing diagnosis?
Answer: A nursing diagnosis describes a condition that a nurse is licensed and competent to treat
independently (e.g., Constipation). A collaborative problem involves a physiological complication that
the nurse monitors for but requires multidisciplinary intervention to manage, often involving a physician
(e.g., monitoring for hemorrhage post-surgery) .
7. Question: A nurse is evaluating care outcomes. What is the proper sequence for the evaluative
process?
Answer: The evaluation process involves: 1) Collecting data about the desired outcome, 2) Comparing
the data against the expected outcomes/goals set during planning, 3) Documenting the patient's
response, and 4) Reassessing and modifying the care plan if goals were not met .
8. Question: What is the significance of NANDA International to the nursing profession?
Answer: NANDA International (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) is the professional
organization that develops, researches, and standardizes the taxonomy of nursing diagnoses. Using
NANDA-approved language ensures consistent communication among nurses regarding patient
problems .
� Part II: Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
Part I: Foundations of Nursing Practice & The Nursing Process
1. Question: What are the four main goals of the nursing profession as defined by modern practice?
Answer: The four main goals are: 1) To promote health (facilitating lifestyles that enhance well-being),
2) To prevent illness (educational programs and immunizations), 3) To restore health (direct care during
illness, rehabilitation), and 4) To facilitate coping with death or disability (providing comfort and dignity)
2. Question: A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. List the five sequential steps of
this process.
Answer: The five steps are: 1) Assessment (collecting data), 2) Diagnosis (analyzing data to identify
health problems), 3) Planning (setting goals and outcomes), 4) Implementation (performing the
interventions), and 5) Evaluation (determining if goals were met) .
3. Question: During the assessment phase, what is the difference between subjective and objective
data?
Answer: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health problems—what the
patient "says." For example, "I feel nauseous." Objective data are observable and measurable facts
gathered by the nurse—what the nurse "observes," such as a blood pressure reading, pale skin, or lab
results .
4. Question: A patient has just been diagnosed with diabetes. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs, which need should the nurse prioritize first when planning care?
Answer: According to Maslow, physiological needs are the most basic and must be addressed first.
This includes the need for air, food, water, shelter, and sleep. The nurse would prioritize any immediate
threats to airway, breathing, or circulation before addressing teaching about the new diagnosis .
, 5. Question: A nurse writes the following nursing diagnosis: "Impaired Skin Integrity related to
immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the coccyx." Identify the three parts of this
diagnostic statement.
Answer: This is a "PES" statement: 1) P (Problem) - Impaired Skin Integrity, 2) E (Etiology/cause) -
related to immobility, and 3) S (Signs/Symptoms) - as evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the coccyx .
6. Question: What is the difference between a collaborative problem and a nursing diagnosis?
Answer: A nursing diagnosis describes a condition that a nurse is licensed and competent to treat
independently (e.g., Constipation). A collaborative problem involves a physiological complication that
the nurse monitors for but requires multidisciplinary intervention to manage, often involving a physician
(e.g., monitoring for hemorrhage post-surgery) .
7. Question: A nurse is evaluating care outcomes. What is the proper sequence for the evaluative
process?
Answer: The evaluation process involves: 1) Collecting data about the desired outcome, 2) Comparing
the data against the expected outcomes/goals set during planning, 3) Documenting the patient's
response, and 4) Reassessing and modifying the care plan if goals were not met .
8. Question: What is the significance of NANDA International to the nursing profession?
Answer: NANDA International (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) is the professional
organization that develops, researches, and standardizes the taxonomy of nursing diagnoses. Using
NANDA-approved language ensures consistent communication among nurses regarding patient
problems .
� Part II: Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
