,NSG310/NSG 310 Exam 3 | Introduction to Professional
Nursing | Grand Canyon University | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of crisis intervention in nursing practice?
A) To provide long-term psychotherapy for the patient
B) To return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning
C) To hospitalize the patient for psychiatric evaluation
D) To prescribe medication to alleviate acute symptoms
Correct Answer: To return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning
Rationale: The goal of crisis intervention is to return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning and
connect them with long-term help. Crisis intervention is short-term and focuses on immediate
stabilization. Long-term psychotherapy and hospitalization are not primary goals of crisis intervention.
2. A nurse is using the technique of "shaping" when teaching a patient with diabetes how to self-
administer insulin. Which action best demonstrates this teaching strategy?
A) Providing the patient with a video to watch at home
B) Praising the patient for each small step toward the final goal
C) Demonstrating the entire procedure once and expecting the patient to repeat it
D) Giving the patient a written handout with step-by-step instructions
Correct Answer: Praising the patient for each small step toward the final goal
Rationale: Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of the target behavior, breaking down
the long-term goal into smaller steps and reinforcing progress toward it. Watching a video,
demonstrating once, or providing written instructions do not incorporate the stepwise reinforcement
that defines shaping.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has experienced a sudden job loss and is exhibiting signs of acute
distress. This situation is best classified as which type of crisis?
,A) Developmental crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Maturational crisis
D) Existential crisis
Correct Answer: Situational crisis
Rationale: A situational crisis is an unusually stressful life event that exceeds a client's resources and
coping skills, such as unexpected illness, injury, job loss, or loss of a spouse. A developmental crisis
occurs during age-related milestones, such as becoming a parent or retiring.
4. Which organization established educational standards requiring healthcare agencies to provide
systematic health education and training for clients and families?
A) American Nurses Association (ANA)
B) National League for Nursing (NLN)
C) The Joint Commission
D) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Correct Answer: The Joint Commission
Rationale: The Joint Commission established educational standards requiring healthcare agencies to
provide systematic health education and training for clients and families. The ANA focuses on nursing
standards and advocacy, the NLN focuses on nursing education, and CMS administers Medicare and
Medicaid.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about managing their new ostomy. Which teaching strategy involves the
patient learning by observing the nurse perform the behavior?
A) Empowerment
B) Modeling
C) Shaping
D) Reinforcement
, Correct Answer: Modeling
Rationale: Modeling describes learning a behavior by observing another person perform it.
Empowerment involves assisting the client to take charge of their own life. Shaping involves reinforcing
successive approximations, and reinforcement strengthens a behavior through rewards.
6. Which of the following best describes the concept of empowerment in patient education?
A) The nurse makes all decisions about the patient's care
B) The patient gains strength and confidence to move toward achieving their goals
C) The patient passively receives information without participation
D) The nurse performs all tasks for the patient
Correct Answer: The patient gains strength and confidence to move toward achieving their goals
Rationale: Empowerment involves assisting the client to take charge of their own life, gaining strength
and confidence from interactions with providers to move toward achievement of goals. It is a
collaborative process, not passive receipt of information or nurse-dominated decision-making.
7. A patient who speaks only Spanish is admitted to the unit. What is the most appropriate method for
providing education to this patient?
A) Using a family member as an interpreter
B) Using a certified medical interpreter
C) Speaking slowly and loudly in English
D) Using hand gestures and written English materials
Correct Answer: Using a certified medical interpreter
Rationale: A certified interpreter should be used to provide instructions to a patient who speaks only
Spanish. Family members should not be used as interpreters due to confidentiality and accuracy
concerns. Speaking loudly in English or using gestures is insufficient for meaningful communication.
Nursing | Grand Canyon University | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of crisis intervention in nursing practice?
A) To provide long-term psychotherapy for the patient
B) To return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning
C) To hospitalize the patient for psychiatric evaluation
D) To prescribe medication to alleviate acute symptoms
Correct Answer: To return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning
Rationale: The goal of crisis intervention is to return the client to their pre-crisis level of functioning and
connect them with long-term help. Crisis intervention is short-term and focuses on immediate
stabilization. Long-term psychotherapy and hospitalization are not primary goals of crisis intervention.
2. A nurse is using the technique of "shaping" when teaching a patient with diabetes how to self-
administer insulin. Which action best demonstrates this teaching strategy?
A) Providing the patient with a video to watch at home
B) Praising the patient for each small step toward the final goal
C) Demonstrating the entire procedure once and expecting the patient to repeat it
D) Giving the patient a written handout with step-by-step instructions
Correct Answer: Praising the patient for each small step toward the final goal
Rationale: Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of the target behavior, breaking down
the long-term goal into smaller steps and reinforcing progress toward it. Watching a video,
demonstrating once, or providing written instructions do not incorporate the stepwise reinforcement
that defines shaping.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has experienced a sudden job loss and is exhibiting signs of acute
distress. This situation is best classified as which type of crisis?
,A) Developmental crisis
B) Situational crisis
C) Maturational crisis
D) Existential crisis
Correct Answer: Situational crisis
Rationale: A situational crisis is an unusually stressful life event that exceeds a client's resources and
coping skills, such as unexpected illness, injury, job loss, or loss of a spouse. A developmental crisis
occurs during age-related milestones, such as becoming a parent or retiring.
4. Which organization established educational standards requiring healthcare agencies to provide
systematic health education and training for clients and families?
A) American Nurses Association (ANA)
B) National League for Nursing (NLN)
C) The Joint Commission
D) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Correct Answer: The Joint Commission
Rationale: The Joint Commission established educational standards requiring healthcare agencies to
provide systematic health education and training for clients and families. The ANA focuses on nursing
standards and advocacy, the NLN focuses on nursing education, and CMS administers Medicare and
Medicaid.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about managing their new ostomy. Which teaching strategy involves the
patient learning by observing the nurse perform the behavior?
A) Empowerment
B) Modeling
C) Shaping
D) Reinforcement
, Correct Answer: Modeling
Rationale: Modeling describes learning a behavior by observing another person perform it.
Empowerment involves assisting the client to take charge of their own life. Shaping involves reinforcing
successive approximations, and reinforcement strengthens a behavior through rewards.
6. Which of the following best describes the concept of empowerment in patient education?
A) The nurse makes all decisions about the patient's care
B) The patient gains strength and confidence to move toward achieving their goals
C) The patient passively receives information without participation
D) The nurse performs all tasks for the patient
Correct Answer: The patient gains strength and confidence to move toward achieving their goals
Rationale: Empowerment involves assisting the client to take charge of their own life, gaining strength
and confidence from interactions with providers to move toward achievement of goals. It is a
collaborative process, not passive receipt of information or nurse-dominated decision-making.
7. A patient who speaks only Spanish is admitted to the unit. What is the most appropriate method for
providing education to this patient?
A) Using a family member as an interpreter
B) Using a certified medical interpreter
C) Speaking slowly and loudly in English
D) Using hand gestures and written English materials
Correct Answer: Using a certified medical interpreter
Rationale: A certified interpreter should be used to provide instructions to a patient who speaks only
Spanish. Family members should not be used as interpreters due to confidentiality and accuracy
concerns. Speaking loudly in English or using gestures is insufficient for meaningful communication.
