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FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER,
PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL, OSTENDORF) EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER, PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL,
OSTENDORF)
EXAMINATION
250 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CHAPTER 10 – FAMILY DYNAMICS (Questions 1-25)
1. The nurse is assessing a family's structure and function. Which of the following
best describes a family according to modern nursing practice?
A) Two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share a household
B) A group of individuals who may or may not be related by blood or marriage, who
provide emotional and physical support and identify as a family unit
C) A legally recognized unit consisting of a husband, wife, and their biological children
D) Any group of people living together in the same residence
E) Individuals who share a common genetic heritage
Rationale: Modern nursing practice recognizes diverse family structures beyond the
traditional nuclear family. A family is defined as a group of individuals who may or may
not be related by blood or marriage, who provide emotional and physical support and
identify as a family unit . This broader definition includes single-parent families,
blended families, same-sex parent families, and other configurations.
2. A nurse is conducting a family assessment. Which of the following is a
component of the "Family Health System" approach?
A) Only the health history of individual family members
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B) The family's ability to manage health crises and provide care to members
C) The family's income and financial resources
D) The family's housing and neighborhood safety
E) The family's religious affiliation
Rationale: The Family Health System approach examines how families function as a
unit, including their ability to manage health crises, provide care, and support the health
of members . This approach emphasizes the family's role in health maintenance, illness
prevention, and caregiving. It goes beyond individual health histories to consider family
dynamics, communication patterns, and coping mechanisms.
3. A nurse is providing care to a family with a child diagnosed with a chronic illness.
The nurse should prioritize which intervention?
A) Focusing care solely on the ill child
B) Providing information only to the parents
C) Assessing the impact of the illness on all family members and providing support
D) Encouraging the family to place the child in a residential care facility
E) Avoiding discussion of the illness to prevent family distress
Rationale: Chronic illness affects the entire family system. The nurse should assess the
impact on all family members and provide appropriate support . Siblings may
experience jealousy or anxiety; parents may experience marital strain; financial burdens
may arise. The nurse can provide resources, facilitate communication, and help the
family develop coping strategies.
4. A nurse is teaching a class on family health promotion. Which stage of the family
life cycle typically involves the greatest number of developmental tasks and
stressors?
A) The newly married couple
B) Families with young children
C) Families with adolescents
D) Families with young adults leaving home
E) Older adult families
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Rationale: Families with young children often experience the greatest number of
developmental tasks and stressors, including adjusting to parenthood, managing child-
rearing responsibilities, and balancing work and family demands . This stage requires
significant role changes, financial adjustments, and emotional adaptation. The stress
associated with raising young children can be a factor in health outcomes.
5. A nurse is assessing the communication patterns within a family. Which
communication pattern is most likely to contribute to family dysfunction?
A) Open and honest discussion of feelings
B) Active listening and validation of each other's perspectives
C) Frequent criticism and blame
D) Shared decision-making
E) Clear and consistent messages
Rationale: Frequent criticism, blame, and negative communication patterns contribute
to family dysfunction . These patterns can lead to emotional distancing, low self-
esteem, and increased conflict. Healthy communication is characterized by openness,
honesty, active listening, validation, shared decision-making, and clear messages. The
nurse can help families develop healthier communication patterns.
6. A nurse is using the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM). Which of the
following is a dimension of CFAM?
A) Economic
B) Environmental
C) Structural
D) Legal
E) Educational
Rationale: The Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) includes three major
dimensions: structural, developmental, and functional . The structural dimension
includes internal, external, and context family structures. The developmental
dimension includes stages of the family life cycle. The functional dimension includes
instrumental and expressive functioning.
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7. A nurse is providing care to a family in which one member is a substance abuser.
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
A) Impaired physical mobility
B) Risk for infection
C) Ineffective coping
D) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
E) Impaired skin integrity
Rationale: In families with substance abuse, Ineffective Coping is an appropriate
nursing diagnosis . Substance abuse is often a maladaptive coping mechanism. Other
diagnoses may be present, but the underlying issue is often ineffective coping with
stress, trauma, or other life challenges. The nurse can help the family identify healthier
coping strategies.
8. The nurse is assessing the family's genogram. A genogram is used to:
A) Assess the family's income level
B) Identify the family's cultural background
C) Determine the family's housing situation
D) Diagram family relationships and health history over generations
E) Evaluate the family's communication patterns
Rationale: A genogram is a graphic representation of family relationships and health
history across multiple generations . It provides a visual tool for identifying patterns of
illness, hereditary conditions, family dynamics, and relationship patterns. Genograms
are useful for assessing family health risks and understanding the context of health
behaviors.
9. A nurse is providing education to a family about anticipatory guidance. This
involves:
A) Providing information about current health problems
B) Preparing family members for expected developmental changes and challenges
C) Encouraging family members to seek medical attention for all symptoms
D) Providing crisis intervention for acute family problems
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER,
PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL, OSTENDORF) EXAM QUESTIONS
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING, 12TH EDITION (POTTER, PERRY, STOCKERT, HALL,
OSTENDORF)
EXAMINATION
250 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CHAPTER 10 – FAMILY DYNAMICS (Questions 1-25)
1. The nurse is assessing a family's structure and function. Which of the following
best describes a family according to modern nursing practice?
A) Two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share a household
B) A group of individuals who may or may not be related by blood or marriage, who
provide emotional and physical support and identify as a family unit
C) A legally recognized unit consisting of a husband, wife, and their biological children
D) Any group of people living together in the same residence
E) Individuals who share a common genetic heritage
Rationale: Modern nursing practice recognizes diverse family structures beyond the
traditional nuclear family. A family is defined as a group of individuals who may or may
not be related by blood or marriage, who provide emotional and physical support and
identify as a family unit . This broader definition includes single-parent families,
blended families, same-sex parent families, and other configurations.
2. A nurse is conducting a family assessment. Which of the following is a
component of the "Family Health System" approach?
A) Only the health history of individual family members
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B) The family's ability to manage health crises and provide care to members
C) The family's income and financial resources
D) The family's housing and neighborhood safety
E) The family's religious affiliation
Rationale: The Family Health System approach examines how families function as a
unit, including their ability to manage health crises, provide care, and support the health
of members . This approach emphasizes the family's role in health maintenance, illness
prevention, and caregiving. It goes beyond individual health histories to consider family
dynamics, communication patterns, and coping mechanisms.
3. A nurse is providing care to a family with a child diagnosed with a chronic illness.
The nurse should prioritize which intervention?
A) Focusing care solely on the ill child
B) Providing information only to the parents
C) Assessing the impact of the illness on all family members and providing support
D) Encouraging the family to place the child in a residential care facility
E) Avoiding discussion of the illness to prevent family distress
Rationale: Chronic illness affects the entire family system. The nurse should assess the
impact on all family members and provide appropriate support . Siblings may
experience jealousy or anxiety; parents may experience marital strain; financial burdens
may arise. The nurse can provide resources, facilitate communication, and help the
family develop coping strategies.
4. A nurse is teaching a class on family health promotion. Which stage of the family
life cycle typically involves the greatest number of developmental tasks and
stressors?
A) The newly married couple
B) Families with young children
C) Families with adolescents
D) Families with young adults leaving home
E) Older adult families
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Rationale: Families with young children often experience the greatest number of
developmental tasks and stressors, including adjusting to parenthood, managing child-
rearing responsibilities, and balancing work and family demands . This stage requires
significant role changes, financial adjustments, and emotional adaptation. The stress
associated with raising young children can be a factor in health outcomes.
5. A nurse is assessing the communication patterns within a family. Which
communication pattern is most likely to contribute to family dysfunction?
A) Open and honest discussion of feelings
B) Active listening and validation of each other's perspectives
C) Frequent criticism and blame
D) Shared decision-making
E) Clear and consistent messages
Rationale: Frequent criticism, blame, and negative communication patterns contribute
to family dysfunction . These patterns can lead to emotional distancing, low self-
esteem, and increased conflict. Healthy communication is characterized by openness,
honesty, active listening, validation, shared decision-making, and clear messages. The
nurse can help families develop healthier communication patterns.
6. A nurse is using the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM). Which of the
following is a dimension of CFAM?
A) Economic
B) Environmental
C) Structural
D) Legal
E) Educational
Rationale: The Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) includes three major
dimensions: structural, developmental, and functional . The structural dimension
includes internal, external, and context family structures. The developmental
dimension includes stages of the family life cycle. The functional dimension includes
instrumental and expressive functioning.
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7. A nurse is providing care to a family in which one member is a substance abuser.
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
A) Impaired physical mobility
B) Risk for infection
C) Ineffective coping
D) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
E) Impaired skin integrity
Rationale: In families with substance abuse, Ineffective Coping is an appropriate
nursing diagnosis . Substance abuse is often a maladaptive coping mechanism. Other
diagnoses may be present, but the underlying issue is often ineffective coping with
stress, trauma, or other life challenges. The nurse can help the family identify healthier
coping strategies.
8. The nurse is assessing the family's genogram. A genogram is used to:
A) Assess the family's income level
B) Identify the family's cultural background
C) Determine the family's housing situation
D) Diagram family relationships and health history over generations
E) Evaluate the family's communication patterns
Rationale: A genogram is a graphic representation of family relationships and health
history across multiple generations . It provides a visual tool for identifying patterns of
illness, hereditary conditions, family dynamics, and relationship patterns. Genograms
are useful for assessing family health risks and understanding the context of health
behaviors.
9. A nurse is providing education to a family about anticipatory guidance. This
involves:
A) Providing information about current health problems
B) Preparing family members for expected developmental changes and challenges
C) Encouraging family members to seek medical attention for all symptoms
D) Providing crisis intervention for acute family problems
