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NSG 4800 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 4800 COMPS Exam 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 overall exam readiness. It is a
convenient tool for organizing your preparation and approaching the NSG 4800 COMPS
Exam with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE & NURSING THEORIES
(Questions 1–15)
1. Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory,
emphasizing the patient's ability to perform self-care activities?
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
(A) developed the Adaptation Model. Leininger (C) developed the Theory of
Culture Care. Watson (D) developed the Theory of Human Caring.
2. 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
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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 (C) is when both nurse and patient
participate. Supportive-educative (A) is when the patient can perform
self-care but needs teaching and support.
3. 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
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 (C) is
within the scope of advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive
authority, not all nurses.
4. 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.
Presence and human connection are central to Watson's theory.
5. The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase
does the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
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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 (C) is when the nurse helps the
patient work toward goals.
6. 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
C. Competent
D. Proficient
Answer: C
Rationale: Benner's Competent stage occurs after 2-3 years of
experience, where the nurse can recognize patterns and prioritize care.
Proficient (D) occurs after 3-5 years with a holistic understanding.
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 participating in a quality improvement project to reduce
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Which statement
reflects a process measure?
A. The CAUTI rate per 1,000 catheter days
B. The number of patients who developed a CAUTI
C. The percentage of staff who completed hand hygiene training
D. The average length of stay for patients with a CAUTI
NSG 4800 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 4800 COMPS Exam 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 overall exam readiness. It is a
convenient tool for organizing your preparation and approaching the NSG 4800 COMPS
Exam with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE & NURSING THEORIES
(Questions 1–15)
1. Which nursing theorist developed the Self-Care Deficit Theory,
emphasizing the patient's ability to perform self-care activities?
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
(A) developed the Adaptation Model. Leininger (C) developed the Theory of
Culture Care. Watson (D) developed the Theory of Human Caring.
2. 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
, Page 2 of 40
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 (C) is when both nurse and patient
participate. Supportive-educative (A) is when the patient can perform
self-care but needs teaching and support.
3. 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
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 (C) is
within the scope of advanced practice registered nurses with prescriptive
authority, not all nurses.
4. 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.
Presence and human connection are central to Watson's theory.
5. The nurse is using Peplau's Interpersonal Theory. During which phase
does the nurse help the patient identify their problems and needs?
, Page 3 of 40
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 (C) is when the nurse helps the
patient work toward goals.
6. 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
C. Competent
D. Proficient
Answer: C
Rationale: Benner's Competent stage occurs after 2-3 years of
experience, where the nurse can recognize patterns and prioritize care.
Proficient (D) occurs after 3-5 years with a holistic understanding.
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
, Page 4 of 40
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 participating in a quality improvement project to reduce
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Which statement
reflects a process measure?
A. The CAUTI rate per 1,000 catheter days
B. The number of patients who developed a CAUTI
C. The percentage of staff who completed hand hygiene training
D. The average length of stay for patients with a CAUTI
