NURSING PROCESS COMPETENCY EXAMINATION| JULY
2026| (QUESTIONS and CORRECT ANSWERS)
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of the
nursing process?
A. To replace medical diagnosis with nursing interventions.
B. To provide a systematic framework for individualized nursing
care.
C. To ensure all patients receive the same standardized
interventions.
D. To limit nursing actions to physician-prescribed treatments.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process provides a systematic, patient-
centered framework for individualized care. A is incorrect because
the nursing process does not replace medical diagnosis; C is
incorrect because care is individualized, not standardized for all
patients; D is incorrect because nurses also use independent
nursing interventions.
2. During the assessment phase, which data collection method is
most appropriate when a patient reports shortness of breath?
A. Reviewing laboratory results only.
B. Asking focused questions and observing respiratory effort.
C. Writing a nursing diagnosis immediately.
D. Implementing oxygen therapy before assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessment includes gathering subjective and
objective data through focused questions and observation. A is
, incomplete because assessment requires more than lab review; C
and D are premature because diagnosis and implementation occur
after assessment.
3. A nurse identifies “Ineffective Airway Clearance related to thick
secretions” as a nursing diagnosis. Which part is the etiology?
A. Ineffective Airway Clearance
B. Related to thick secretions
C. Thick secretions
D. Airway clearance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In a nursing diagnosis, the phrase after “related to”
identifies the etiology or contributing factor. A is the problem
statement, C is the cause expressed in simpler wording, and D is
not the full diagnostic component.
4. Which nursing action best reflects the planning phase?
A. Measuring blood pressure after giving antihypertensive
medication.
B. Setting a goal that the patient will ambulate 50 meters by
discharge.
C. Determining whether the patient’s pain has decreased.
D. Recording bowel sounds in the chart.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Planning involves establishing measurable goals and
expected outcomes. A is implementation, C is evaluation, and D is
assessment/documentation.
,5. A patient with diabetes says, “I am too weak to learn insulin
injection today.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You must learn it now because discharge is tomorrow.”
B. “We will delay teaching until you feel more ready.”
C. “Your weakness is not important right now.”
D. “I will ask the doctor to give oral medication instead.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nurse should adapt teaching to the patient’s
readiness to learn. A is coercive, C dismisses the concern, and D
changes treatment without assessing appropriateness or
collaborating on education needs.
6. Which statement best demonstrates a measurable expected
outcome?
A. The patient will understand wound care.
B. The patient will feel better after treatment.
C. The patient will demonstrate sterile dressing change correctly
by the end of the shift.
D. The patient will improve soon.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Expected outcomes should be specific and
measurable. A, B, and D are vague and difficult to evaluate
objectively.
7. Which finding should the nurse classify as subjective data?
A. Temperature of 38.6°C.
, B. Audible wheezing.
C. “My chest feels tight.”
D. Oxygen saturation of 89%.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the
patient. A, B, and D are objective findings obtained by observation
or measurement.
8. A nurse prioritizes a patient with acute stridor over another
patient requesting a pain medication refill. Which principle is the
nurse applying?
A. Delegation
B. Time management
C. Prioritization based on airway needs
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Airway compromise is an immediate priority. A and B
are not the primary principle in this scenario, and D occurs after
interventions are implemented.
9. Which nursing diagnosis is written correctly?
A. Risk for Falls related to poor lighting as evidenced by unsteady
gait
B. Impaired Skin Integrity related to pressure injury as evidenced
by redness over sacrum
C. Diabetes related to elevated blood glucose as evidenced by
thirst
2026| (QUESTIONS and CORRECT ANSWERS)
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of the
nursing process?
A. To replace medical diagnosis with nursing interventions.
B. To provide a systematic framework for individualized nursing
care.
C. To ensure all patients receive the same standardized
interventions.
D. To limit nursing actions to physician-prescribed treatments.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process provides a systematic, patient-
centered framework for individualized care. A is incorrect because
the nursing process does not replace medical diagnosis; C is
incorrect because care is individualized, not standardized for all
patients; D is incorrect because nurses also use independent
nursing interventions.
2. During the assessment phase, which data collection method is
most appropriate when a patient reports shortness of breath?
A. Reviewing laboratory results only.
B. Asking focused questions and observing respiratory effort.
C. Writing a nursing diagnosis immediately.
D. Implementing oxygen therapy before assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessment includes gathering subjective and
objective data through focused questions and observation. A is
, incomplete because assessment requires more than lab review; C
and D are premature because diagnosis and implementation occur
after assessment.
3. A nurse identifies “Ineffective Airway Clearance related to thick
secretions” as a nursing diagnosis. Which part is the etiology?
A. Ineffective Airway Clearance
B. Related to thick secretions
C. Thick secretions
D. Airway clearance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In a nursing diagnosis, the phrase after “related to”
identifies the etiology or contributing factor. A is the problem
statement, C is the cause expressed in simpler wording, and D is
not the full diagnostic component.
4. Which nursing action best reflects the planning phase?
A. Measuring blood pressure after giving antihypertensive
medication.
B. Setting a goal that the patient will ambulate 50 meters by
discharge.
C. Determining whether the patient’s pain has decreased.
D. Recording bowel sounds in the chart.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Planning involves establishing measurable goals and
expected outcomes. A is implementation, C is evaluation, and D is
assessment/documentation.
,5. A patient with diabetes says, “I am too weak to learn insulin
injection today.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “You must learn it now because discharge is tomorrow.”
B. “We will delay teaching until you feel more ready.”
C. “Your weakness is not important right now.”
D. “I will ask the doctor to give oral medication instead.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The nurse should adapt teaching to the patient’s
readiness to learn. A is coercive, C dismisses the concern, and D
changes treatment without assessing appropriateness or
collaborating on education needs.
6. Which statement best demonstrates a measurable expected
outcome?
A. The patient will understand wound care.
B. The patient will feel better after treatment.
C. The patient will demonstrate sterile dressing change correctly
by the end of the shift.
D. The patient will improve soon.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Expected outcomes should be specific and
measurable. A, B, and D are vague and difficult to evaluate
objectively.
7. Which finding should the nurse classify as subjective data?
A. Temperature of 38.6°C.
, B. Audible wheezing.
C. “My chest feels tight.”
D. Oxygen saturation of 89%.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the
patient. A, B, and D are objective findings obtained by observation
or measurement.
8. A nurse prioritizes a patient with acute stridor over another
patient requesting a pain medication refill. Which principle is the
nurse applying?
A. Delegation
B. Time management
C. Prioritization based on airway needs
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Airway compromise is an immediate priority. A and B
are not the primary principle in this scenario, and D occurs after
interventions are implemented.
9. Which nursing diagnosis is written correctly?
A. Risk for Falls related to poor lighting as evidenced by unsteady
gait
B. Impaired Skin Integrity related to pressure injury as evidenced
by redness over sacrum
C. Diabetes related to elevated blood glucose as evidenced by
thirst
