GCU NSG 300 Final Exam – Foundations of Nursing – (2026) Actual Questions &
Answers
GCU NSG 300 Final Exam – Foundations of Nursing – (2026) Practice Questions &
Answers
Section 1: Nursing Process (ADPIE) & Critical Thinking (Questions 1-30)
1. The nursing process is a systematic method of providing patient care. What are
the five steps of the nursing process in correct order?
A) Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: ADPIE stands for Assessment (collect data), Diagnosis (identify
problem), Planning (set goals), Implementation (perform actions), Evaluation
(assess outcomes). This order ensures systematic, patient-centered care .
2. A nurse collects subjective and objective data about a patient's health status.
This step of the nursing process is called:
A) Diagnosis
,B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of subjective (what the patient
says) and objective (observable, measurable) data. This is the first step of ADPIE .
3. Which phase of the nursing process involves setting measurable patient goals
and expected outcomes?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: C
,Rationale: During the Planning phase, the nurse develops measurable
goals/outcomes (SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) and
nursing interventions .
4. The nurse identifies that a patient has decreased breath sounds in the left
lower lobe. This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Medical diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable (e.g., vital signs, lung
sounds, wound appearance). Decreased breath sounds are objective because they
can be measured and verified .
5. A patient states, "I feel short of breath and anxious." This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
, C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Medical diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient tells the nurse (symptoms,
feelings, perceptions). Only the patient can report how they feel. These cannot be
observed or measured by others .
6. Which nursing diagnosis is written correctly?
A) Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure
injury on sacrum
B) Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility
C) Potential for fall
D) Breathing problems
Answer: A
Rationale: A correctly written nursing diagnosis follows the PES format: Problem
(Impaired Skin Integrity), Etiology (related to immobility), and
Answers
GCU NSG 300 Final Exam – Foundations of Nursing – (2026) Practice Questions &
Answers
Section 1: Nursing Process (ADPIE) & Critical Thinking (Questions 1-30)
1. The nursing process is a systematic method of providing patient care. What are
the five steps of the nursing process in correct order?
A) Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: ADPIE stands for Assessment (collect data), Diagnosis (identify
problem), Planning (set goals), Implementation (perform actions), Evaluation
(assess outcomes). This order ensures systematic, patient-centered care .
2. A nurse collects subjective and objective data about a patient's health status.
This step of the nursing process is called:
A) Diagnosis
,B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the systematic collection of subjective (what the patient
says) and objective (observable, measurable) data. This is the first step of ADPIE .
3. Which phase of the nursing process involves setting measurable patient goals
and expected outcomes?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: C
,Rationale: During the Planning phase, the nurse develops measurable
goals/outcomes (SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) and
nursing interventions .
4. The nurse identifies that a patient has decreased breath sounds in the left
lower lobe. This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Medical diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable (e.g., vital signs, lung
sounds, wound appearance). Decreased breath sounds are objective because they
can be measured and verified .
5. A patient states, "I feel short of breath and anxious." This is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
, C) Nursing diagnosis
D) Medical diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient tells the nurse (symptoms,
feelings, perceptions). Only the patient can report how they feel. These cannot be
observed or measured by others .
6. Which nursing diagnosis is written correctly?
A) Impaired Skin Integrity related to immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure
injury on sacrum
B) Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility
C) Potential for fall
D) Breathing problems
Answer: A
Rationale: A correctly written nursing diagnosis follows the PES format: Problem
(Impaired Skin Integrity), Etiology (related to immobility), and
