NSG 1500 Clinical Judgment & Decision
Making
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving
the gathering of data to determine the client's health status and any actual or potential
problems.
(2) A nurse is writing a SMART goal for a patient. Which phase of the nursing
process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: In the Planning phase, the nurse prioritizes diagnoses, sets
patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and chooses nursing interventions.
,(3) According to the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, which step
follows 'Recognizing Cues'?
A. Prioritizing Hypotheses
B. Analyzing Cues
C. Generating Solutions
D. Taking Action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: The cognitive steps of the CJMM are: 1. Recognize Cues, 2.
Analyze Cues, 3. Prioritize Hypotheses, 4. Generate Solutions, 5. Take Action, and 6. Evaluate
Outcomes.
(4) When a nurse links a patient's clinical cues (e.g., crackles, edema) to a possible
condition (e.g., fluid volume excess), which CJMM step is being performed?
A. Recognize Cues
B. Analyze Cues
C. Generate Solutions
D. Take Action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Analyzing cues involves interpreting the data gathered,
looking for patterns, and determining what the cues mean in relation to the patient's
condition.
,(5) Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a broken arm reporting pain level 8/10.
B. A patient who is post-op and having difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath.
C. A patient who needs discharge instructions.
D. A patient with a blood pressure of 130/85.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Breathing (shortness of breath/difficulty speaking) is a higher
priority than pain or discharge teaching based on the ABC framework.
(6) According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which nursing intervention takes
priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to express feelings about their illness.
B. Administering a prescribed bolus of IV fluids for dehydration.
C. Arranging a support group meeting for the patient.
D. Praising the patient for learning to self-administer insulin.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Physiological needs (hydration/nutrition) are the base of
Maslow's hierarchy and must be met before safety, love/belonging, or self-esteem needs.
, (7) Which of the following tasks is most appropriate for a nurse to delegate to an
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)?
A. Performing an initial post-operative assessment.
B. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication.
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom.
D. Teaching a patient how to use a glucose monitor.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Nurses cannot delegate assessment, evaluation, or teaching
(EAT). UAPs can perform standard tasks for stable patients, such as ADLs and ambulation.
(8) A nurse uses a standardized 'Decision Tree' to determine the correct course of
action for a cardiac arrest. This is an example of:
A. Intuitive thinking
B. Algorithm-based decision making
C. Trial and error
D. Reflection-in-action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Algorithms provide step-by-step instructions for clinical
situations, helping to standardize care and reduce errors in high-stakes environments.
Making
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which phase of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving
the gathering of data to determine the client's health status and any actual or potential
problems.
(2) A nurse is writing a SMART goal for a patient. Which phase of the nursing
process does this represent?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: In the Planning phase, the nurse prioritizes diagnoses, sets
patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and chooses nursing interventions.
,(3) According to the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, which step
follows 'Recognizing Cues'?
A. Prioritizing Hypotheses
B. Analyzing Cues
C. Generating Solutions
D. Taking Action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: The cognitive steps of the CJMM are: 1. Recognize Cues, 2.
Analyze Cues, 3. Prioritize Hypotheses, 4. Generate Solutions, 5. Take Action, and 6. Evaluate
Outcomes.
(4) When a nurse links a patient's clinical cues (e.g., crackles, edema) to a possible
condition (e.g., fluid volume excess), which CJMM step is being performed?
A. Recognize Cues
B. Analyze Cues
C. Generate Solutions
D. Take Action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Analyzing cues involves interpreting the data gathered,
looking for patterns, and determining what the cues mean in relation to the patient's
condition.
,(5) Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a broken arm reporting pain level 8/10.
B. A patient who is post-op and having difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath.
C. A patient who needs discharge instructions.
D. A patient with a blood pressure of 130/85.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Breathing (shortness of breath/difficulty speaking) is a higher
priority than pain or discharge teaching based on the ABC framework.
(6) According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which nursing intervention takes
priority?
A. Encouraging the patient to express feelings about their illness.
B. Administering a prescribed bolus of IV fluids for dehydration.
C. Arranging a support group meeting for the patient.
D. Praising the patient for learning to self-administer insulin.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Physiological needs (hydration/nutrition) are the base of
Maslow's hierarchy and must be met before safety, love/belonging, or self-esteem needs.
, (7) Which of the following tasks is most appropriate for a nurse to delegate to an
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)?
A. Performing an initial post-operative assessment.
B. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication.
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom.
D. Teaching a patient how to use a glucose monitor.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Nurses cannot delegate assessment, evaluation, or teaching
(EAT). UAPs can perform standard tasks for stable patients, such as ADLs and ambulation.
(8) A nurse uses a standardized 'Decision Tree' to determine the correct course of
action for a cardiac arrest. This is an example of:
A. Intuitive thinking
B. Algorithm-based decision making
C. Trial and error
D. Reflection-in-action
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Clinical Judgment Rationale: Algorithms provide step-by-step instructions for clinical
situations, helping to standardize care and reduce errors in high-stakes environments.
