DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
A postoperative client has the same surgical procedure as
others on the unit, but also has a history of anxiety and poor
sleep at home. The nurse is reviewing the care plan before the
first postoperative shift. Which action best reflects
individualized nursing care?
,A. Use the standard postoperative care plan exactly as written
B. Add goals that reflect the client’s anxiety and sleep concerns
C. Focus only on incision care because it is the most measurable
outcome
D. Delay care plan updates until discharge teaching
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Individualized care plans incorporate the client’s unique needs,
risks, and responses to illness. Anxiety and sleep problems can
affect recovery, pain tolerance, and participation in care, so
they should be included in the plan.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. A standard plan alone ignores individual client needs and can
miss important problems.
C. Incision care is important, but it does not address the whole
patient or priority psychosocial needs.
D. Care plans should be updated as assessment data are
collected, not postponed until discharge.
Teaching Point:
Individualized care plans reflect the whole person, not just the
diagnosis.
Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (11th ed.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes. Chapter 1: Using
nursing care plans to individualize and improve care.
,2) Reference: What is a nursing care plan?
A new graduate nurse asks why the care plan matters when the
client already has medical orders and a charted assessment.
Which explanation is most accurate?
A. It replaces the provider’s treatment plan
B. It organizes nursing diagnoses, interventions, and expected
outcomes
C. It is used only for legal documentation after discharge
D. It is a list of tasks assigned to the nursing assistant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A nursing care plan links assessment data to nursing diagnoses,
planned interventions, and measurable outcomes. It guides
nursing judgment and makes care consistent and purposeful.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Nursing care plans do not replace medical treatment plans;
they complement them.
C. Care plans are used throughout the episode of care, not only
after discharge.
D. It is broader than task assignment and includes clinical
reasoning and evaluation.
Teaching Point:
Care plans translate assessment into organized nursing action.
, Citation:
Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (11th ed.). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes. Chapter 1: What is a
nursing care plan?
3) Reference: How to use nursing care plans
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure, diabetes, and
limited health literacy. Which approach best uses a nursing care
plan?
A. Apply one generic plan for all clients with heart failure
B. Select diagnoses and interventions based on the client’s
actual assessment data
C. Focus only on the most recent laboratory results
D. Use the care plan only after the client is stable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A care plan is most effective when it is based on the client’s
actual needs, risks, and responses. This client may need nursing
priorities related to fluid balance, self-management, and
teaching support.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Generic plans ignore individual differences and lower care
quality.
C. Lab results are important but do not provide the full clinical
picture.