Page 1 of 196
NSG 3100 Exams 1, 2 & 3 – Nursing Practice EXAM
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. A nurse is admitting a patient to the medical-surgical unit. Which action represents the
assessment phase of the nursing process?
A) The nurse administers pain medication as ordered
B) The nurse obtains the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
C) The nurse develops a plan of care for the patient
D) The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the pain medication
Answer: B
The assessment phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective data
about the patient. Vital signs are objective data collected during assessment. Administration of
medication is the implementation phase, developing a plan is the planning phase, and
evaluating effectiveness is the evaluation phase.
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2. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which statement correctly describes an actual
nursing diagnosis?
A) "Risk for falls related to unsteady gait"
B) "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure injury on the
sacrum"
C) "Readiness for enhanced coping"
D) "Risk for infection related to surgical incision"
Answer: B
An actual nursing diagnosis describes a problem that currently exists, supported by defining
characteristics (evidence). It includes the problem, etiology (related to), and signs/symptoms (as
evidenced by). Option B includes all three components. Option A is a risk diagnosis, Option C is a
health promotion diagnosis, and Option D is a risk diagnosis.
3. A nurse is writing goals for a patient's plan of care. Which goal is written correctly using
SMART criteria?
A) "Patient will ambulate in the hallway"
B) "Patient will be more mobile by discharge"
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C) "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the shift"
D) "Patient will walk when feeling better"
Answer: C
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Option C includes
a specific activity (ambulate 50 feet with walker), measurable criteria, and a time frame (by the
end of the shift). The other options are vague and lack measurable criteria.
4. What is the least effective decision-making process in nursing?
A) Evidence-based practice
B) Trial and error
C) Research-based problem solving
D) Critical thinking
Answer: B
Trial-and-error relies on chance rather than systematic analysis. This approach lacks precision
and predictability, making it unreliable in clinical settings where patient safety is paramount.
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5. What does the trial-and-error method of problem solving lack?
A) Creativity
B) Exactness
C) Speed
D) Patient involvement
Answer: B
Trial-and-error lacks exactness and relies on chance rather than systematic analysis. This makes
it unreliable in clinical settings where patient safety is paramount.
6. The research process of problem solving is most effective when used by:
A) New graduate nurses
B) Experienced nurses
C) Nursing students
D) Unlicensed assistive personnel
Answer: B
Research-based problem solving requires clinical experience to properly interpret findings and
4
NSG 3100 Exams 1, 2 & 3 – Nursing Practice EXAM
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. A nurse is admitting a patient to the medical-surgical unit. Which action represents the
assessment phase of the nursing process?
A) The nurse administers pain medication as ordered
B) The nurse obtains the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
C) The nurse develops a plan of care for the patient
D) The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the pain medication
Answer: B
The assessment phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective data
about the patient. Vital signs are objective data collected during assessment. Administration of
medication is the implementation phase, developing a plan is the planning phase, and
evaluating effectiveness is the evaluation phase.
1
, Page 2 of 196
2. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which statement correctly describes an actual
nursing diagnosis?
A) "Risk for falls related to unsteady gait"
B) "Impaired skin integrity related to immobility as evidenced by stage 2 pressure injury on the
sacrum"
C) "Readiness for enhanced coping"
D) "Risk for infection related to surgical incision"
Answer: B
An actual nursing diagnosis describes a problem that currently exists, supported by defining
characteristics (evidence). It includes the problem, etiology (related to), and signs/symptoms (as
evidenced by). Option B includes all three components. Option A is a risk diagnosis, Option C is a
health promotion diagnosis, and Option D is a risk diagnosis.
3. A nurse is writing goals for a patient's plan of care. Which goal is written correctly using
SMART criteria?
A) "Patient will ambulate in the hallway"
B) "Patient will be more mobile by discharge"
2
, Page 3 of 196
C) "Patient will ambulate 50 feet with a walker by the end of the shift"
D) "Patient will walk when feeling better"
Answer: C
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Option C includes
a specific activity (ambulate 50 feet with walker), measurable criteria, and a time frame (by the
end of the shift). The other options are vague and lack measurable criteria.
4. What is the least effective decision-making process in nursing?
A) Evidence-based practice
B) Trial and error
C) Research-based problem solving
D) Critical thinking
Answer: B
Trial-and-error relies on chance rather than systematic analysis. This approach lacks precision
and predictability, making it unreliable in clinical settings where patient safety is paramount.
3
, Page 4 of 196
5. What does the trial-and-error method of problem solving lack?
A) Creativity
B) Exactness
C) Speed
D) Patient involvement
Answer: B
Trial-and-error lacks exactness and relies on chance rather than systematic analysis. This makes
it unreliable in clinical settings where patient safety is paramount.
6. The research process of problem solving is most effective when used by:
A) New graduate nurses
B) Experienced nurses
C) Nursing students
D) Unlicensed assistive personnel
Answer: B
Research-based problem solving requires clinical experience to properly interpret findings and
4
