NURSING CARE PLANS
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) Individualizing the care plan
Reference: Using Nursing Care Plans to Individualize Care
Stem: A 68-year-old patient is admitted with heart failure and
says, “I always take my pills, but I forget the afternoon dose
when I am with my grandchildren.” The nurse reviews the
standard discharge care plan, which includes daily weights, low-
,sodium teaching, and medication adherence. The patient asks
for “something simple I can follow at home.” Which action best
individualizes the care plan?
A. Keep the standard discharge plan because it applies to all
heart failure patients
B. Revise the plan to include the patient’s schedule, family
routines, and preferred learning method
C. Delay discharge teaching until the provider rounds
D. Focus only on weight monitoring because it is the most
objective data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. Individualized care plans incorporate the patient’s
actual routines, barriers, and preferences so the plan is realistic
and usable. This supports adherence, patient-centered care,
and better outcomes.
A is incorrect. A generic plan may miss barriers to self-
management.
C is incorrect. Discharge teaching should not wait if the nurse
has the information needed now.
D is incorrect. Weight monitoring is important, but it does not
address the patient’s medication adherence barrier.
Teaching Point: Care plans work best when they fit the patient’s
real life.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
,Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.).
Individualizing a care plan.
2) Purpose of the nursing care plan
Reference: What Is a Nursing Care Plan?
Stem: A new graduate nurse asks why the care plan must be
updated when the patient’s condition changes. The patient
initially had pain after surgery, but now the priority concern is
decreased mobility due to dizziness and weakness. What is the
best explanation of the care plan’s purpose?
A. It replaces the medical plan of care
B. It documents only tasks completed by the nurse
C. It guides individualized nursing judgments and changes as the
patient’s needs change
D. It is used only at admission for legal purposes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. The nursing care plan is a dynamic tool for nursing
assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and
evaluation. It changes with the patient’s response and
priorities.
A is incorrect. It complements, not replaces, the medical plan.
B is incorrect. It is more than a task list; it reflects clinical
reasoning.
D is incorrect. It is used throughout care, not only at admission.
, Teaching Point: A care plan is a living guide for nursing
judgment.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). What is a
nursing care plan?
3) Prioritizing nursing diagnoses
Reference: Prioritizing Nursing Diagnoses
Stem: A postoperative patient reports pain of 8/10, has oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air, and is anxious about the incision.
The nurse must choose the priority nursing diagnosis. Which
diagnosis should be addressed first?
A. Acute Pain
B. Anxiety
C. Impaired Gas Exchange
D. Disturbed Body Image
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. Oxygenation follows the ABCs and is the immediate
priority because impaired gas exchange threatens life.
A is incorrect. Pain is important but less urgent than
oxygenation.
B is incorrect. Anxiety should be addressed after immediate
physiologic stability.
DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND
OUTCOMES
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MEG GULANICK;
JUDITH L. MYERS
TEST BANK
1) Individualizing the care plan
Reference: Using Nursing Care Plans to Individualize Care
Stem: A 68-year-old patient is admitted with heart failure and
says, “I always take my pills, but I forget the afternoon dose
when I am with my grandchildren.” The nurse reviews the
standard discharge care plan, which includes daily weights, low-
,sodium teaching, and medication adherence. The patient asks
for “something simple I can follow at home.” Which action best
individualizes the care plan?
A. Keep the standard discharge plan because it applies to all
heart failure patients
B. Revise the plan to include the patient’s schedule, family
routines, and preferred learning method
C. Delay discharge teaching until the provider rounds
D. Focus only on weight monitoring because it is the most
objective data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct. Individualized care plans incorporate the patient’s
actual routines, barriers, and preferences so the plan is realistic
and usable. This supports adherence, patient-centered care,
and better outcomes.
A is incorrect. A generic plan may miss barriers to self-
management.
C is incorrect. Discharge teaching should not wait if the nurse
has the information needed now.
D is incorrect. Weight monitoring is important, but it does not
address the patient’s medication adherence barrier.
Teaching Point: Care plans work best when they fit the patient’s
real life.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
,Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.).
Individualizing a care plan.
2) Purpose of the nursing care plan
Reference: What Is a Nursing Care Plan?
Stem: A new graduate nurse asks why the care plan must be
updated when the patient’s condition changes. The patient
initially had pain after surgery, but now the priority concern is
decreased mobility due to dizziness and weakness. What is the
best explanation of the care plan’s purpose?
A. It replaces the medical plan of care
B. It documents only tasks completed by the nurse
C. It guides individualized nursing judgments and changes as the
patient’s needs change
D. It is used only at admission for legal purposes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. The nursing care plan is a dynamic tool for nursing
assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and
evaluation. It changes with the patient’s response and
priorities.
A is incorrect. It complements, not replaces, the medical plan.
B is incorrect. It is more than a task list; it reflects clinical
reasoning.
D is incorrect. It is used throughout care, not only at admission.
, Teaching Point: A care plan is a living guide for nursing
judgment.
Citation: Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. (2026). Nursing Care Plans:
Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes (11th ed.). What is a
nursing care plan?
3) Prioritizing nursing diagnoses
Reference: Prioritizing Nursing Diagnoses
Stem: A postoperative patient reports pain of 8/10, has oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air, and is anxious about the incision.
The nurse must choose the priority nursing diagnosis. Which
diagnosis should be addressed first?
A. Acute Pain
B. Anxiety
C. Impaired Gas Exchange
D. Disturbed Body Image
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct. Oxygenation follows the ABCs and is the immediate
priority because impaired gas exchange threatens life.
A is incorrect. Pain is important but less urgent than
oxygenation.
B is incorrect. Anxiety should be addressed after immediate
physiologic stability.
