WGU D265 Task 1: Critical Thinking Case Study Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Case Study Solutions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Part A: Case Study Scenario & Patient Context
Q1: Which statement accurately describes Margaret "Maggie" O'Brien's admitting
diagnosis and current surgical status?
A. She is post-operative day 2 from a left total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis
B. She is post-operative day 2 from a right total hip arthroplasty for severe osteoarthritis
[CORRECT]
C. She is post-operative day 5 from a right total hip replacement for a femoral neck
fracture
D. She is scheduled for elective right total hip arthroplasty tomorrow morning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maggie is post-operative day 2 from a right total hip arthroplasty (THA)
performed for severe osteoarthritis. Option A is incorrect regarding the surgical site,
procedure, and diagnosis. Option C is incorrect regarding the post-operative day and
admitting diagnosis. Option D is incorrect because the surgery has already been
performed.
Q2: Which comorbidity in Maggie's medical history requires the nurse to pay particular
attention to cardiovascular status and medication interactions during the post-operative
period?
A. History of two falls in the past year
B. Hypertension [CORRECT]
C. Penicillin allergy (rash)
D. Osteoarthritis
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hypertension is a cardiovascular comorbidity that requires ongoing
monitoring and consideration of medication interactions (e.g., antihypertensives,
anesthesia, analgesics). Option A relates to safety but not cardiovascular medication
interactions. Option C is an allergy, not a cardiovascular condition. Option D is the
orthopedic indication for surgery, not a cardiovascular comorbidity.
Q3: Maggie reports feeling "weak and shaky" when attempting to get up and expresses
fear of falling. These subjective reports are BEST classified as:
A. Objective clinical findings documented by the nurse
B. Patient-reported data relevant to safety and functional status [CORRECT]
C. Irrelevant psychosocial concerns unrelated to medical care
D. Expected post-anesthetic effects that require no nursing intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-reported symptoms and concerns are subjective data that provide
critical information about safety and functional status. Option A is incorrect because
these are subjective, not objective, findings. Option C is incorrect because fall risk and
weakness are highly relevant to post-operative care. Option D is incorrect because these
symptoms require assessment and intervention.
Q4: Which psychosocial and situational factor in Maggie's history poses the GREATEST
challenge to her safe discharge planning?
A. Her preference for Irish-American cultural foods
B. She lives alone in a two-story home with no local family support [CORRECT]
C. Her penicillin allergy requiring isolation precautions
D. Her refusal to take any pain medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Living alone in a two-story home without local support significantly impacts
fall risk, ADL performance, and the need for home services or rehabilitation placement.
Option A is not a discharge barrier. Option C is incorrect because penicillin allergy does
, not require isolation. Option D is factually incorrect because Maggie is taking prescribed
pain medication.
Q5: Maggie reports eating only 50% of meals since surgery and appears fatigued. The
nurse recognizes this finding as significant because:
A. It indicates she is ready for immediate discharge to home
B. Poor nutrition post-operatively can impair wound healing and recovery [CORRECT]
C. Decreased appetite is always expected after surgery and never requires intervention
D. It suggests she has developed an allergy to hospital food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inadequate nutritional intake post-operatively can delay healing, worsen
fatigue, and contribute to anemia. Option A is incorrect because poor intake is a barrier
to discharge, not an indicator of readiness. Option C is incorrect because decreased
appetite requires assessment and intervention. Option D is an unsupported assumption.
Part B: Recognizing & Analyzing Cues – Assessment Data
Q6: Maggie's vital signs are BP 148/92 mmHg, HR 88 bpm, RR 18/min, temperature
98.6°F (oral), and O2 saturation 96% on room air. Which vital sign finding warrants the
most immediate nursing assessment and follow-up?
A. Oral temperature of 98.6°F
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. Heart rate of 88 bpm
D. Oxygen saturation of 96% on room air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BP 148/92 mmHg represents Stage 1 hypertension and is the only vital sign
outside normal limits; it requires monitoring and correlation with pain, medication
adherence, and cardiovascular status. Options A, C, and D are within normal ranges and
do not require immediate intervention.
2026/2027 – Complete Case Study Solutions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Part A: Case Study Scenario & Patient Context
Q1: Which statement accurately describes Margaret "Maggie" O'Brien's admitting
diagnosis and current surgical status?
A. She is post-operative day 2 from a left total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis
B. She is post-operative day 2 from a right total hip arthroplasty for severe osteoarthritis
[CORRECT]
C. She is post-operative day 5 from a right total hip replacement for a femoral neck
fracture
D. She is scheduled for elective right total hip arthroplasty tomorrow morning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maggie is post-operative day 2 from a right total hip arthroplasty (THA)
performed for severe osteoarthritis. Option A is incorrect regarding the surgical site,
procedure, and diagnosis. Option C is incorrect regarding the post-operative day and
admitting diagnosis. Option D is incorrect because the surgery has already been
performed.
Q2: Which comorbidity in Maggie's medical history requires the nurse to pay particular
attention to cardiovascular status and medication interactions during the post-operative
period?
A. History of two falls in the past year
B. Hypertension [CORRECT]
C. Penicillin allergy (rash)
D. Osteoarthritis
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hypertension is a cardiovascular comorbidity that requires ongoing
monitoring and consideration of medication interactions (e.g., antihypertensives,
anesthesia, analgesics). Option A relates to safety but not cardiovascular medication
interactions. Option C is an allergy, not a cardiovascular condition. Option D is the
orthopedic indication for surgery, not a cardiovascular comorbidity.
Q3: Maggie reports feeling "weak and shaky" when attempting to get up and expresses
fear of falling. These subjective reports are BEST classified as:
A. Objective clinical findings documented by the nurse
B. Patient-reported data relevant to safety and functional status [CORRECT]
C. Irrelevant psychosocial concerns unrelated to medical care
D. Expected post-anesthetic effects that require no nursing intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-reported symptoms and concerns are subjective data that provide
critical information about safety and functional status. Option A is incorrect because
these are subjective, not objective, findings. Option C is incorrect because fall risk and
weakness are highly relevant to post-operative care. Option D is incorrect because these
symptoms require assessment and intervention.
Q4: Which psychosocial and situational factor in Maggie's history poses the GREATEST
challenge to her safe discharge planning?
A. Her preference for Irish-American cultural foods
B. She lives alone in a two-story home with no local family support [CORRECT]
C. Her penicillin allergy requiring isolation precautions
D. Her refusal to take any pain medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Living alone in a two-story home without local support significantly impacts
fall risk, ADL performance, and the need for home services or rehabilitation placement.
Option A is not a discharge barrier. Option C is incorrect because penicillin allergy does
, not require isolation. Option D is factually incorrect because Maggie is taking prescribed
pain medication.
Q5: Maggie reports eating only 50% of meals since surgery and appears fatigued. The
nurse recognizes this finding as significant because:
A. It indicates she is ready for immediate discharge to home
B. Poor nutrition post-operatively can impair wound healing and recovery [CORRECT]
C. Decreased appetite is always expected after surgery and never requires intervention
D. It suggests she has developed an allergy to hospital food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inadequate nutritional intake post-operatively can delay healing, worsen
fatigue, and contribute to anemia. Option A is incorrect because poor intake is a barrier
to discharge, not an indicator of readiness. Option C is incorrect because decreased
appetite requires assessment and intervention. Option D is an unsupported assumption.
Part B: Recognizing & Analyzing Cues – Assessment Data
Q6: Maggie's vital signs are BP 148/92 mmHg, HR 88 bpm, RR 18/min, temperature
98.6°F (oral), and O2 saturation 96% on room air. Which vital sign finding warrants the
most immediate nursing assessment and follow-up?
A. Oral temperature of 98.6°F
B. Blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. Heart rate of 88 bpm
D. Oxygen saturation of 96% on room air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BP 148/92 mmHg represents Stage 1 hypertension and is the only vital sign
outside normal limits; it requires monitoring and correlation with pain, medication
adherence, and cardiovascular status. Options A, C, and D are within normal ranges and
do not require immediate intervention.
