NURS 5220 Exam 2 Questions and Correct Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Latest 2026–2027 Update |
Verified Answers | Graded A+ | UTA
CLINICAL DECISION MAKING AND ETHICS
Question 1
Unless a life-threatening situation exists, the best guide to determining the
priority for the patient's condition should be based on:
A. Intuition.
B. Probability and utility.
C. The use of algorithms.
D. The examiner's initial favorite hypothesis.
Correct Answer: B. Probability and utility.
Detailed Rationale: Probability and utility should always be your guides to
sequencing your actions, unless a life-threatening situation exists. Clinical
reasoning requires balancing the likelihood of a diagnosis (probability) with the
potential benefit or harm of interventions (utility). Intuition (A) is subjective and
unreliable. Algorithms (C) are useful but cannot replace clinical judgment. The
examiner's initial favorite hypothesis (D) may lead to premature closure and
diagnostic error.
Question 2
Which of the following should be considered when determining a need for
additional examination, testing, or procedures?
A. These should be done to obtain as much data as possible.
B. These should be done to attempt to get data that might be associated with
multiple problems.
C. These should be done only when it is absolutely necessary.
D. These should be done if they relate to the examiner's hypothesis.
,Correct Answer: D. These should be done if they relate to the examiner's
hypothesis.
Detailed Rationale: Clinical reasoning does not require a compulsive listing of all
of the possible options in diagnosis and management. Rather, it is dominated by
hypothesis development; asking whether a particular diagnosis should be made
depending on its probability; and whether a test may be indicated, depending on
the likelihood suggested by its sensitivity and specificity. Excessive testing (A, B) is
costly and may lead to false positives. Testing only when absolutely necessary (C)
may be too restrictive.
Question 3
Mr. Shaken is a 46-year-old patient who presents for a routine physical
examination. After you have identified and confirmed a problem, the next step
is to:
A. Assess the data collected.
B. Formulate a clinical opinion.
C. Conduct further assessment.
D. Determine the management plan.
Correct Answer: D. Determine the management plan.
Detailed Rationale: Clinical reasoning is the process by which the information
gathered from the history and physical examination is merged with clinical
knowledge, experience, and the current best evidence to formulate the next steps
in patient care—development of the diagnostic and management plans. Once a
problem is identified and confirmed, the next step is to determine the
management plan. A, B, and C are earlier steps in the clinical reasoning process.
Question 4
The use of a computer could potentially be detrimental to the examiner
because:
,A. It may become a substitute for critical thinking.
B. Computer dysfunction makes it unreliable.
C. The computer is limited in the amount of data it can interpret.
D. The level of skill needed to run a diagnostic computer program is beyond the
computer skills of most examiners.
Correct Answer: A. It may become a substitute for critical thinking.
Detailed Rationale: There is an unacceptable temptation at times to substitute
electronic support for critical thinking and judgment. It is your responsibility to
artfully merge subjective and objective data with best evidence and your
knowledge and experience to make a clinical judgment. Computers are tools, not
replacements for clinical reasoning. B, C, and D are not the primary concerns—
computers are generally reliable and can handle large amounts of data.
Question 5
The ethical principle of utilitarianism is involved:
A. When the duties of health care providers are established by tradition and
cultural context.
B. When health care providers "do no harm."
C. When decisions regarding health care include appropriate use of resources for
the good of the community.
D. When the interview is conducted appropriately.
Correct Answer: C. When decisions regarding health care include appropriate
use of resources for the good of the community.
Detailed Rationale: Utilitarianism means you should consider appropriate use of
resources with concern for the greater good of the larger community. This ethical
principle focuses on outcomes and the greatest benefit for the greatest number. A
describes deontology (duty-based ethics). B describes nonmaleficence. D is not an
ethical principle.
Question 6
, Which is a guideline to sound decision making?
A. The underlying problem is always related to the chief complaint.
B. Rare problems tend to have unusual presentations.
C. Common problems occur commonly, whereas rare ones do not.
D. A diagnosis should be made quickly to enhance patient confidence.
Correct Answer: C. Common problems occur commonly, whereas rare ones do
not.
Detailed Rationale: Remember that common problems occur commonly, and rare
ones do not. Common problems can have unusual presentations and rare ones
may have a seemingly common complaint. A is incorrect—the underlying problem
may not always be related to the chief complaint. B is incorrect—rare problems
can present with common complaints. D is incorrect—diagnoses should be made
carefully, not quickly.
Question 7
Laboratory tests should be used to:
A. Confirm a presumed diagnosis.
B. Develop a list of potential problems.
C. Rule out all possible causes of symptoms and clinical findings.
D. Assist the examiner only when the data do not point to a specific problem.
Correct Answer: A. Confirm a presumed diagnosis.
Detailed Rationale: After a match between the data (both subjective and
objective) and a presumed diagnosis is made, consider the appropriate laboratory
or radiologic studies to confirm the diagnosis. Laboratory tests should not be used
to develop a list of problems (B) or to rule out all possible causes (C)—this would
be indiscriminate testing. D is incorrect—tests should be used even when data
point to a specific problem, to confirm the diagnosis.
Question 8
A problem is best identified as:
with Detailed Rationales | Latest 2026–2027 Update |
Verified Answers | Graded A+ | UTA
CLINICAL DECISION MAKING AND ETHICS
Question 1
Unless a life-threatening situation exists, the best guide to determining the
priority for the patient's condition should be based on:
A. Intuition.
B. Probability and utility.
C. The use of algorithms.
D. The examiner's initial favorite hypothesis.
Correct Answer: B. Probability and utility.
Detailed Rationale: Probability and utility should always be your guides to
sequencing your actions, unless a life-threatening situation exists. Clinical
reasoning requires balancing the likelihood of a diagnosis (probability) with the
potential benefit or harm of interventions (utility). Intuition (A) is subjective and
unreliable. Algorithms (C) are useful but cannot replace clinical judgment. The
examiner's initial favorite hypothesis (D) may lead to premature closure and
diagnostic error.
Question 2
Which of the following should be considered when determining a need for
additional examination, testing, or procedures?
A. These should be done to obtain as much data as possible.
B. These should be done to attempt to get data that might be associated with
multiple problems.
C. These should be done only when it is absolutely necessary.
D. These should be done if they relate to the examiner's hypothesis.
,Correct Answer: D. These should be done if they relate to the examiner's
hypothesis.
Detailed Rationale: Clinical reasoning does not require a compulsive listing of all
of the possible options in diagnosis and management. Rather, it is dominated by
hypothesis development; asking whether a particular diagnosis should be made
depending on its probability; and whether a test may be indicated, depending on
the likelihood suggested by its sensitivity and specificity. Excessive testing (A, B) is
costly and may lead to false positives. Testing only when absolutely necessary (C)
may be too restrictive.
Question 3
Mr. Shaken is a 46-year-old patient who presents for a routine physical
examination. After you have identified and confirmed a problem, the next step
is to:
A. Assess the data collected.
B. Formulate a clinical opinion.
C. Conduct further assessment.
D. Determine the management plan.
Correct Answer: D. Determine the management plan.
Detailed Rationale: Clinical reasoning is the process by which the information
gathered from the history and physical examination is merged with clinical
knowledge, experience, and the current best evidence to formulate the next steps
in patient care—development of the diagnostic and management plans. Once a
problem is identified and confirmed, the next step is to determine the
management plan. A, B, and C are earlier steps in the clinical reasoning process.
Question 4
The use of a computer could potentially be detrimental to the examiner
because:
,A. It may become a substitute for critical thinking.
B. Computer dysfunction makes it unreliable.
C. The computer is limited in the amount of data it can interpret.
D. The level of skill needed to run a diagnostic computer program is beyond the
computer skills of most examiners.
Correct Answer: A. It may become a substitute for critical thinking.
Detailed Rationale: There is an unacceptable temptation at times to substitute
electronic support for critical thinking and judgment. It is your responsibility to
artfully merge subjective and objective data with best evidence and your
knowledge and experience to make a clinical judgment. Computers are tools, not
replacements for clinical reasoning. B, C, and D are not the primary concerns—
computers are generally reliable and can handle large amounts of data.
Question 5
The ethical principle of utilitarianism is involved:
A. When the duties of health care providers are established by tradition and
cultural context.
B. When health care providers "do no harm."
C. When decisions regarding health care include appropriate use of resources for
the good of the community.
D. When the interview is conducted appropriately.
Correct Answer: C. When decisions regarding health care include appropriate
use of resources for the good of the community.
Detailed Rationale: Utilitarianism means you should consider appropriate use of
resources with concern for the greater good of the larger community. This ethical
principle focuses on outcomes and the greatest benefit for the greatest number. A
describes deontology (duty-based ethics). B describes nonmaleficence. D is not an
ethical principle.
Question 6
, Which is a guideline to sound decision making?
A. The underlying problem is always related to the chief complaint.
B. Rare problems tend to have unusual presentations.
C. Common problems occur commonly, whereas rare ones do not.
D. A diagnosis should be made quickly to enhance patient confidence.
Correct Answer: C. Common problems occur commonly, whereas rare ones do
not.
Detailed Rationale: Remember that common problems occur commonly, and rare
ones do not. Common problems can have unusual presentations and rare ones
may have a seemingly common complaint. A is incorrect—the underlying problem
may not always be related to the chief complaint. B is incorrect—rare problems
can present with common complaints. D is incorrect—diagnoses should be made
carefully, not quickly.
Question 7
Laboratory tests should be used to:
A. Confirm a presumed diagnosis.
B. Develop a list of potential problems.
C. Rule out all possible causes of symptoms and clinical findings.
D. Assist the examiner only when the data do not point to a specific problem.
Correct Answer: A. Confirm a presumed diagnosis.
Detailed Rationale: After a match between the data (both subjective and
objective) and a presumed diagnosis is made, consider the appropriate laboratory
or radiologic studies to confirm the diagnosis. Laboratory tests should not be used
to develop a list of problems (B) or to rule out all possible causes (C)—this would
be indiscriminate testing. D is incorrect—tests should be used even when data
point to a specific problem, to confirm the diagnosis.
Question 8
A problem is best identified as:
