GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NSG 100 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Introduction to Nursing — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Topic Focus: Nursing Process, Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment &
Assessment
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Introduction to Nursing 2
NSG 100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NSG 100 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Introduction to Nursing — Nursing Process, Critical Thinking &
Clinical Judgment
1 Critical thinking is defined as:
A The thinking process by which a nurse reaches a clinical judgment
B The result or outcome of clinical reasoning
C The deliberate nonlinear process of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, drawing
conclusions about, presenting, and evaluating information
D A systematic decision-making method focusing on identifying and treating
responses to health alterations
Why C is correct: Critical thinking is the deliberate nonlinear process of collecting,
interpreting, analyzing, drawing conclusions about, presenting, and evaluating information
that is both factual and belief-based.
A — This describes clinical reasoning.
B — This describes clinical judgment.
D — This describes the nursing process.
, 2 Clinical decision making is best described as:
A A process the nurse uses to evaluate and select the best actions to meet desired
goals
B The deliberate nonlinear process of collecting and analyzing information
C The thinking process by which a nurse reaches a clinical judgment
D The conclusion or outcome of critical thinking
Why A is correct: Clinical decision making is a process the nurse uses to evaluate and
select the best actions to meet desired goals.
B — This describes critical thinking.
C — This describes clinical reasoning.
D — This describes clinical judgment.
3 Which of the following are key components of critical thinking in nursing? Select all
that apply.
A Clinical reasoning
B Clinical judgment
C Intuition only
D Reflection only
E Creativity only
Why A and B are correct: The key components of critical thinking in nursing are clinical
reasoning and clinical judgment.
C — Intuition is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
D — Reflection is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
E — Creativity is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
NSG 100 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Introduction to Nursing — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Topic Focus: Nursing Process, Critical Thinking, Clinical Judgment &
Assessment
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Introduction to Nursing 2
NSG 100 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NSG 100 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Introduction to Nursing — Nursing Process, Critical Thinking &
Clinical Judgment
1 Critical thinking is defined as:
A The thinking process by which a nurse reaches a clinical judgment
B The result or outcome of clinical reasoning
C The deliberate nonlinear process of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, drawing
conclusions about, presenting, and evaluating information
D A systematic decision-making method focusing on identifying and treating
responses to health alterations
Why C is correct: Critical thinking is the deliberate nonlinear process of collecting,
interpreting, analyzing, drawing conclusions about, presenting, and evaluating information
that is both factual and belief-based.
A — This describes clinical reasoning.
B — This describes clinical judgment.
D — This describes the nursing process.
, 2 Clinical decision making is best described as:
A A process the nurse uses to evaluate and select the best actions to meet desired
goals
B The deliberate nonlinear process of collecting and analyzing information
C The thinking process by which a nurse reaches a clinical judgment
D The conclusion or outcome of critical thinking
Why A is correct: Clinical decision making is a process the nurse uses to evaluate and
select the best actions to meet desired goals.
B — This describes critical thinking.
C — This describes clinical reasoning.
D — This describes clinical judgment.
3 Which of the following are key components of critical thinking in nursing? Select all
that apply.
A Clinical reasoning
B Clinical judgment
C Intuition only
D Reflection only
E Creativity only
Why A and B are correct: The key components of critical thinking in nursing are clinical
reasoning and clinical judgment.
C — Intuition is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
D — Reflection is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
E — Creativity is a component of critical thinking but not the only one.
