Herzing University NSG 122 Final Exam Study Guide:
100 Multiple Choice Questions Covering Nursing
Process, Vital Signs, and Patient Safety |INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain rated 8/10. After administering prescribed
analgesia, the nurse reassesses the patient's pain level 30 minutes later. This action
reflects which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Explanation: Evaluation is the phase of the nursing process where the nurse determines
whether the interventions implemented were effective in achieving the desired outcomes.
Reassessing pain after medication administration measures the effectiveness of the
intervention.
2. A nurse identifies that a patient has impaired skin integrity related to immobility. This
statement represents which component of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Nursing diagnosis
C) Outcome identification
D) Implementation
Answer: B
Explanation: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about a patient's response to actual
or potential health conditions. "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility" is a correctly
formatted nursing diagnosis that identifies the problem and its etiology.
, 3. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should be seen first?
A) A patient requesting pain medication
B) A patient with new-onset confusion and hypoxia
C) A patient needing assistance with ambulation
D) A patient requesting a meal tray
Answer: B
Explanation: New-onset confusion and hypoxia indicate a potential life-threatening condition
such as a stroke, respiratory failure, or metabolic disturbance. Using Maslow's hierarchy of
needs, physiological needs and safety concerns take priority over comfort and basic care
needs.
4. A nurse gathers data about a patient's vital signs, medical history, and physical
examination findings. This is an example of:
A) Implementation
B) Evaluation
C) Assessment
D) Planning
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting
subjective and objective data about the patient, including vital signs, medical history, and
physical examination findings.
5. A nurse develops a care plan with measurable goals for a patient with diabetes. This
occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
, Explanation: Planning is the phase where the nurse establishes priorities, develops
measurable goals and expected outcomes, and creates a care plan. This occurs after
assessment and diagnosis are completed.
Section 2: Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
6. A patient has an oral temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C). This finding is documented as:
A) Hypothermia
B) Febrile
C) Afebrile
D) Hyperpyrexia
Answer: B
Explanation: Febrile refers to the presence of fever. A normal oral temperature ranges from
97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C). A temperature of 100.8°F is elevated, indicating a
febrile state.
7. The nurse assesses a patient's blood pressure as 148/92 mmHg. This finding is classified
as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: C
*Explanation: According to the ACC/AHA guidelines, Stage 1 hypertension is defined as
systolic BP between 130-139 mmHg or diastolic BP between 80-89 mmHg. This reading of
148/92 meets criteria for Stage 1 hypertension.*
8. A patient's radial pulse is irregular with a rate of 88 beats per minute. The nurse should
next:
, A) Document the finding as normal
B) Auscultate the apical pulse for one full minute
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Recheck the radial pulse in 15 minutes
Answer: B
Explanation: When a radial pulse is irregular, the nurse should auscultate the apical pulse
for a full minute to accurately assess heart rate and rhythm. This provides more reliable
data than a peripheral pulse.
9. A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute. This finding is documented as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Tachypnea
C) Apnea
D) Hyperventilation
Answer: B
*Explanation: Tachypnea is an abnormally rapid respiratory rate. The normal adult
respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. A rate of 28 exceeds the normal range and is
documented as tachypnea.*
10. The nurse assesses a patient's oxygen saturation as 88% on room air. The priority
intervention is to:
A) Document the finding
B) Apply supplemental oxygen
C) Recheck in 30 minutes
D) Notify the provider after completing other assessments
Answer: B
Explanation: An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The priority is to apply supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation before
notifying the provider.
100 Multiple Choice Questions Covering Nursing
Process, Vital Signs, and Patient Safety |INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain rated 8/10. After administering prescribed
analgesia, the nurse reassesses the patient's pain level 30 minutes later. This action
reflects which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Explanation: Evaluation is the phase of the nursing process where the nurse determines
whether the interventions implemented were effective in achieving the desired outcomes.
Reassessing pain after medication administration measures the effectiveness of the
intervention.
2. A nurse identifies that a patient has impaired skin integrity related to immobility. This
statement represents which component of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Nursing diagnosis
C) Outcome identification
D) Implementation
Answer: B
Explanation: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about a patient's response to actual
or potential health conditions. "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility" is a correctly
formatted nursing diagnosis that identifies the problem and its etiology.
, 3. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should be seen first?
A) A patient requesting pain medication
B) A patient with new-onset confusion and hypoxia
C) A patient needing assistance with ambulation
D) A patient requesting a meal tray
Answer: B
Explanation: New-onset confusion and hypoxia indicate a potential life-threatening condition
such as a stroke, respiratory failure, or metabolic disturbance. Using Maslow's hierarchy of
needs, physiological needs and safety concerns take priority over comfort and basic care
needs.
4. A nurse gathers data about a patient's vital signs, medical history, and physical
examination findings. This is an example of:
A) Implementation
B) Evaluation
C) Assessment
D) Planning
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting
subjective and objective data about the patient, including vital signs, medical history, and
physical examination findings.
5. A nurse develops a care plan with measurable goals for a patient with diabetes. This
occurs during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
, Explanation: Planning is the phase where the nurse establishes priorities, develops
measurable goals and expected outcomes, and creates a care plan. This occurs after
assessment and diagnosis are completed.
Section 2: Vital Signs & Physical Assessment
6. A patient has an oral temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C). This finding is documented as:
A) Hypothermia
B) Febrile
C) Afebrile
D) Hyperpyrexia
Answer: B
Explanation: Febrile refers to the presence of fever. A normal oral temperature ranges from
97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C). A temperature of 100.8°F is elevated, indicating a
febrile state.
7. The nurse assesses a patient's blood pressure as 148/92 mmHg. This finding is classified
as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: C
*Explanation: According to the ACC/AHA guidelines, Stage 1 hypertension is defined as
systolic BP between 130-139 mmHg or diastolic BP between 80-89 mmHg. This reading of
148/92 meets criteria for Stage 1 hypertension.*
8. A patient's radial pulse is irregular with a rate of 88 beats per minute. The nurse should
next:
, A) Document the finding as normal
B) Auscultate the apical pulse for one full minute
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Recheck the radial pulse in 15 minutes
Answer: B
Explanation: When a radial pulse is irregular, the nurse should auscultate the apical pulse
for a full minute to accurately assess heart rate and rhythm. This provides more reliable
data than a peripheral pulse.
9. A patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute. This finding is documented as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Tachypnea
C) Apnea
D) Hyperventilation
Answer: B
*Explanation: Tachypnea is an abnormally rapid respiratory rate. The normal adult
respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. A rate of 28 exceeds the normal range and is
documented as tachypnea.*
10. The nurse assesses a patient's oxygen saturation as 88% on room air. The priority
intervention is to:
A) Document the finding
B) Apply supplemental oxygen
C) Recheck in 30 minutes
D) Notify the provider after completing other assessments
Answer: B
Explanation: An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The priority is to apply supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation before
notifying the provider.