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NSG 4800: COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1 2026/2027
COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 4800 COMPS Exam 1 with this focused study resource designed to
reinforce comprehensive nursing concepts and essential course material. Use it to
review key topics, strengthen clinical knowledge and decision-making, and identify
areas that may require additional study. This resource provides a structured
supplement to your coursework and can help improve your overall exam readiness. It
is a convenient tool for organizing your preparation and approaching Exam 1 with
greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Nursing Theories & Professional Practice
1. Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory?
A. Sister Callista Roy
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Jean Watson
Answer: B
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory identifies when nursing is
needed—when a patient cannot meet their own self-care demands. Roy
developed the Adaptation Model; Leininger developed the Theory of
Culture Care; Watson developed the Theory of Human Caring.
2. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), the definition of
nursing includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Protection, promotion, and optimization of health
B. Prevention of illness and injury
C. Prescribing medications independently
D. Advocacy in the care of individuals, families, and communities
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Answer: C
Rationale: The ANA defines nursing as the protection, promotion, and
optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury,
alleviation of suffering, and advocacy. Independent prescribing is within
the scope of advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive
authority, not all nurses.
3. A nurse is implementing Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which
action best demonstrates a "carative factor"?
A. Administering medications on time
B. Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
C. Documenting care accurately in the electronic health record
D. Following the facility's infection control policies
Answer: B
Rationale: Watson's carative factors emphasize the humanistic aspects
of nursing, such as the development of a helping-trusting relationship and
the provision of a supportive environment. Presence and human
connection are central to Watson's theory.
4. The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase
does the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
A. Resolution phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Answer: B
Rationale: In Peplau's theory, the orientation phase involves the nurse
and patient getting to know each other, and the patient identifies
problems and needs. The working phase is when the nurse helps the
patient work toward goals.
5. According to Benner's Novice to Expert model, a nurse who has been
working on a medical-surgical unit for 3 years and can recognize patterns
and prioritize care based on experience is at which level?
A. Novice
B. Advanced beginner
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C. Competent
D. Proficient
Answer: C
Rationale: Benner's stages include Novice (no experience), Advanced
Beginner (marginally acceptable performance), Competent (2-3 years of
experience, able to plan and prioritize), Proficient (sees the whole
picture), and Expert (intuitive grasp of situations).
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is unable to perform activities of
daily living due to a stroke. Which of Orem's nursing systems is most
appropriate?
A. Supportive-educative
B. Wholly compensatory
C. Partially compensatory
D. Collaborative
Answer: B
Rationale: Wholly compensatory nursing is required when the patient is
unable to perform any self-care activities and the nurse must provide
total care. Partially compensatory is when both nurse and patient
participate. Supportive-educative is when the patient can perform self-
care but needs teaching and support.
7. Which action by a nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity?
A. The nurse ensures the patient receives equal care regardless of insurance
status.
B. The nurse keeps a promise to return in 10 minutes to reposition a patient.
C. The nurse administers pain medication to reduce the patient's suffering.
D. The nurse tells the patient the truth about a terminal diagnosis.
Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity is the duty to keep promises and be loyal. Returning as
promised exemplifies this principle. Option A is justice, C is beneficence,
D is veracity.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient from a culture that values family decision-
making over individual autonomy. The patient defers all questions to the
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eldest son. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Insist that the patient make decisions alone to respect autonomy.
B. Ask the son to leave the room during discussions.
C. Include the son in the decision-making process as the patient desires,
while ensuring the patient is not being coerced.
D. Refuse to discuss the care plan with anyone other than the patient.
Answer: C
Rationale: Culturally competent care respects the patient's values and
family dynamics. As long as the patient is not being pressured and is
capable of deciding, the nurse should honor the patient's preference to
involve family. Autonomy can include the right to delegate decisions.
9. A nurse manager is reviewing the concept of just culture with staff.
Which statement by a staff nurse indicates an understanding of just
culture?
A. "A just culture means that individuals are not held accountable for errors."
B. "A just culture balances accountability for individuals with system analysis
to promote safety."
C. "A just culture means that any error is reported to the state board of
nursing."
D. "A just culture focuses on punishing the person responsible for the error."
Answer: B
Rationale: Just culture is a safety philosophy that distinguishes between
human error (console), at-risk behavior (coach), and reckless behavior
(discipline). It does not seek to punish all errors but holds individuals
appropriately accountable while examining system failures.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of opioid addiction and
is requesting pain medication. The nurse is concerned the patient is
seeking drugs. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Refuse to administer any pain medication.
B. Administer the medication as prescribed and assess the patient's pain level
and response.
C. Administer a placebo without telling the patient.
D. Tell the patient they cannot have pain medication because of their history.
NSG 4800: COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1 2026/2027
COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 4800 COMPS Exam 1 with this focused study resource designed to
reinforce comprehensive nursing concepts and essential course material. Use it to
review key topics, strengthen clinical knowledge and decision-making, and identify
areas that may require additional study. This resource provides a structured
supplement to your coursework and can help improve your overall exam readiness. It
is a convenient tool for organizing your preparation and approaching Exam 1 with
greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Nursing Theories & Professional Practice
1. Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory?
A. Sister Callista Roy
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Madeleine Leininger
D. Jean Watson
Answer: B
Rationale: Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory identifies when nursing is
needed—when a patient cannot meet their own self-care demands. Roy
developed the Adaptation Model; Leininger developed the Theory of
Culture Care; Watson developed the Theory of Human Caring.
2. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), the definition of
nursing includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Protection, promotion, and optimization of health
B. Prevention of illness and injury
C. Prescribing medications independently
D. Advocacy in the care of individuals, families, and communities
, Page 2 of 39
Answer: C
Rationale: The ANA defines nursing as the protection, promotion, and
optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury,
alleviation of suffering, and advocacy. Independent prescribing is within
the scope of advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive
authority, not all nurses.
3. A nurse is implementing Watson's Theory of Human Caring. Which
action best demonstrates a "carative factor"?
A. Administering medications on time
B. Sitting quietly with a dying patient and holding their hand
C. Documenting care accurately in the electronic health record
D. Following the facility's infection control policies
Answer: B
Rationale: Watson's carative factors emphasize the humanistic aspects
of nursing, such as the development of a helping-trusting relationship and
the provision of a supportive environment. Presence and human
connection are central to Watson's theory.
4. The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase
does the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
A. Resolution phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Answer: B
Rationale: In Peplau's theory, the orientation phase involves the nurse
and patient getting to know each other, and the patient identifies
problems and needs. The working phase is when the nurse helps the
patient work toward goals.
5. According to Benner's Novice to Expert model, a nurse who has been
working on a medical-surgical unit for 3 years and can recognize patterns
and prioritize care based on experience is at which level?
A. Novice
B. Advanced beginner
, Page 3 of 39
C. Competent
D. Proficient
Answer: C
Rationale: Benner's stages include Novice (no experience), Advanced
Beginner (marginally acceptable performance), Competent (2-3 years of
experience, able to plan and prioritize), Proficient (sees the whole
picture), and Expert (intuitive grasp of situations).
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is unable to perform activities of
daily living due to a stroke. Which of Orem's nursing systems is most
appropriate?
A. Supportive-educative
B. Wholly compensatory
C. Partially compensatory
D. Collaborative
Answer: B
Rationale: Wholly compensatory nursing is required when the patient is
unable to perform any self-care activities and the nurse must provide
total care. Partially compensatory is when both nurse and patient
participate. Supportive-educative is when the patient can perform self-
care but needs teaching and support.
7. Which action by a nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of fidelity?
A. The nurse ensures the patient receives equal care regardless of insurance
status.
B. The nurse keeps a promise to return in 10 minutes to reposition a patient.
C. The nurse administers pain medication to reduce the patient's suffering.
D. The nurse tells the patient the truth about a terminal diagnosis.
Answer: B
Rationale: Fidelity is the duty to keep promises and be loyal. Returning as
promised exemplifies this principle. Option A is justice, C is beneficence,
D is veracity.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient from a culture that values family decision-
making over individual autonomy. The patient defers all questions to the
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eldest son. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Insist that the patient make decisions alone to respect autonomy.
B. Ask the son to leave the room during discussions.
C. Include the son in the decision-making process as the patient desires,
while ensuring the patient is not being coerced.
D. Refuse to discuss the care plan with anyone other than the patient.
Answer: C
Rationale: Culturally competent care respects the patient's values and
family dynamics. As long as the patient is not being pressured and is
capable of deciding, the nurse should honor the patient's preference to
involve family. Autonomy can include the right to delegate decisions.
9. A nurse manager is reviewing the concept of just culture with staff.
Which statement by a staff nurse indicates an understanding of just
culture?
A. "A just culture means that individuals are not held accountable for errors."
B. "A just culture balances accountability for individuals with system analysis
to promote safety."
C. "A just culture means that any error is reported to the state board of
nursing."
D. "A just culture focuses on punishing the person responsible for the error."
Answer: B
Rationale: Just culture is a safety philosophy that distinguishes between
human error (console), at-risk behavior (coach), and reckless behavior
(discipline). It does not seek to punish all errors but holds individuals
appropriately accountable while examining system failures.
10. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of opioid addiction and
is requesting pain medication. The nurse is concerned the patient is
seeking drugs. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Refuse to administer any pain medication.
B. Administer the medication as prescribed and assess the patient's pain level
and response.
C. Administer a placebo without telling the patient.
D. Tell the patient they cannot have pain medication because of their history.
