,NUR 265 Exam 1 Review – Complete Question Bank (1-
200)
Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026 Update
100% Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & NURSING PROCESS (Q1-Q15)
1. The first step of the nursing process is:
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Correct Answer: C) Assessment
*Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. It involves collecting
comprehensive data about the patient's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual
health. Without accurate assessment, subsequent steps cannot be effectively completed.
*
2. Which nursing action reflects the planning phase?
A) Collecting vital signs
B) Identifying patient problems
C) Setting measurable goals
D) Administering medication
,Correct Answer: C) Setting measurable goals
*Rationale: The planning phase involves setting measurable, realistic goals and
outcomes for the patient. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic, and Time-bound. Collecting vital signs is assessment, identifying problems is
diagnosis, and administering medication is implementation. *
3. A nursing diagnosis is best defined as:
A) A medical condition
B) A patient response to illness
C) A laboratory abnormality
D) A physician's order
Correct Answer: B) A patient response to illness
*Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or
community responses to actual or potential health problems. Unlike medical diagnoses
that identify disease processes, nursing diagnoses describe the patient's response to the
illness. *
4. Which goal is written correctly?
A) Patient will feel better
B) Patient will ambulate soon
C) Patient will walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift
D) Patient should improve mobility
Correct Answer: C) Patient will walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift
*Rationale: A correctly written goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and
time-bound (SMART). "Walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift" meets all SMART
criteria. The other options are vague and not measurable. *
5. Evaluation focuses on determining whether:
A) The diagnosis is correct
B) The plan was implemented
, C) Goals were achieved
D) The patient is stable
Correct Answer: C) Goals were achieved
*Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process. It involves assessing
whether the patient's goals and outcomes were achieved. If goals are not met, the nurse
revises the care plan. *
6. A patient with a new colostomy states, "I can't look at this, it's disgusting." This
statement reflects which nursing diagnosis?
A) Impaired Tissue Integrity
B) Disturbed Body Image
C) Deficient Knowledge
D) Anxiety
Correct Answer: B) Disturbed Body Image
*Rationale: The patient's statement indicates negative feelings about the physical
change in their body, which is consistent with Disturbed Body Image. This diagnosis
applies when a patient has altered perceptions about their body or physical appearance.
*
7. Which data is considered subjective?
A) Blood pressure 140/90
B) Patient states, "I have pain in my chest"
C) Heart rate 98 bpm
D) Temperature 101.2°F
Correct Answer: B) Patient states, "I have pain in my chest"
*Rationale: Subjective data is information reported by the patient, including their
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms. Objective data is measurable and observable, such
as vital signs, laboratory results, and physical assessment findings. *
200)
Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing – 2025/2026 Update
100% Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & NURSING PROCESS (Q1-Q15)
1. The first step of the nursing process is:
A) Diagnosis
B) Planning
C) Assessment
D) Implementation
Correct Answer: C) Assessment
*Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. It involves collecting
comprehensive data about the patient's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual
health. Without accurate assessment, subsequent steps cannot be effectively completed.
*
2. Which nursing action reflects the planning phase?
A) Collecting vital signs
B) Identifying patient problems
C) Setting measurable goals
D) Administering medication
,Correct Answer: C) Setting measurable goals
*Rationale: The planning phase involves setting measurable, realistic goals and
outcomes for the patient. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic, and Time-bound. Collecting vital signs is assessment, identifying problems is
diagnosis, and administering medication is implementation. *
3. A nursing diagnosis is best defined as:
A) A medical condition
B) A patient response to illness
C) A laboratory abnormality
D) A physician's order
Correct Answer: B) A patient response to illness
*Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or
community responses to actual or potential health problems. Unlike medical diagnoses
that identify disease processes, nursing diagnoses describe the patient's response to the
illness. *
4. Which goal is written correctly?
A) Patient will feel better
B) Patient will ambulate soon
C) Patient will walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift
D) Patient should improve mobility
Correct Answer: C) Patient will walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift
*Rationale: A correctly written goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and
time-bound (SMART). "Walk 50 feet with assistance by end of shift" meets all SMART
criteria. The other options are vague and not measurable. *
5. Evaluation focuses on determining whether:
A) The diagnosis is correct
B) The plan was implemented
, C) Goals were achieved
D) The patient is stable
Correct Answer: C) Goals were achieved
*Rationale: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process. It involves assessing
whether the patient's goals and outcomes were achieved. If goals are not met, the nurse
revises the care plan. *
6. A patient with a new colostomy states, "I can't look at this, it's disgusting." This
statement reflects which nursing diagnosis?
A) Impaired Tissue Integrity
B) Disturbed Body Image
C) Deficient Knowledge
D) Anxiety
Correct Answer: B) Disturbed Body Image
*Rationale: The patient's statement indicates negative feelings about the physical
change in their body, which is consistent with Disturbed Body Image. This diagnosis
applies when a patient has altered perceptions about their body or physical appearance.
*
7. Which data is considered subjective?
A) Blood pressure 140/90
B) Patient states, "I have pain in my chest"
C) Heart rate 98 bpm
D) Temperature 101.2°F
Correct Answer: B) Patient states, "I have pain in my chest"
*Rationale: Subjective data is information reported by the patient, including their
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms. Objective data is measurable and observable, such
as vital signs, laboratory results, and physical assessment findings. *
