WGU D439 Foundations of Nursing —
100-Question Practice Exam with
correct answers and rationale
graded A+
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase, involving systematic collection of subjective
and objective data. All subsequent steps depend on accurate assessment data. -3
2. A patient reports feeling nauseous. This is an example of what type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Secondary data
D) Inferential data
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient verbally,
including feelings, perceptions, and symptoms that cannot be observed or measured
by others. -1
3. A nurse observes that a patient's wound is draining yellow fluid. This is an
example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Secondary data
D) Inferential data
Rationale: Objective data is measurable, observable, and verifiable information
gathered through observation or physical assessment. -1
4. After analyzing assessment data, a nurse identifies that a patient has
"Impaired Skin Integrity." This occurs during which step?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
,Rationale: Diagnosis is the step where the nurse analyzes assessment data to
identify actual or potential health problems and formulates nursing diagnoses. -4
5. A nurse sets a goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway by end of
shift." This is part of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Rationale: Planning involves establishing priorities, setting measurable and
achievable patient-centered goals, and determining appropriate nursing
interventions. -4
6. In which order should the nursing process steps be performed?
A) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
D) Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Rationale: The correct order is ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation. -1
7. A nurse is collecting data about a patient's health status. During which phase
does this occur?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves
systematic collection of subjective and objective data. -1
8. What is the primary purpose of the evaluation phase?
A) To identify patient problems
B) To determine if patient outcomes have been met
C) To implement nursing interventions
D) To collect patient data
Rationale: Evaluation involves reassessing the patient to determine if goals have
been met, partially met, or not met, and modifying the care plan accordingly. -3
9. A nurse reassesses a patient and finds the goal of "pain less than 3/10" has
not been met. The nurse should:
A) Discontinue the goal
B) Re-evaluate the plan and modify interventions
C) Document the goal as met
D) Ignore the unmet goal
Rationale: When goals are not met, the nurse should re-evaluate the plan, identify
barriers, and modify interventions as needed. -1
, 10. Which statement best describes critical thinking in nursing?
A) Following physician orders without question
B) Using standardized care plans for all patients
C) Applying logic, reasoning, and clinical judgment to make decisions
D) Memorizing facts and procedures
Rationale: Critical thinking involves applying logic, reasoning, and clinical judgment
to make evidence-based decisions about patient care. -3
11. After administering pain medication, the nurse asks the patient to rate their
pain on a scale of 0–10. This is an example of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse determines whether the
patient's goals have been met. Reassessing after an intervention determines
effectiveness. -4
12. What does the "I" in the ADPIE framework stand for?
A) Inspection
B) Intervention
C) Implementation
D) Investigation
Rationale: The "I" stands for Implementation, which is the action phase where the
nurse carries out the prescribed nursing care. -6
13. A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88%. The nurse increases the oxygen
flow rate. Which step comes immediately after this intervention?
A) Reassess the patient
B) Document the intervention
C) Notify the provider
D) Update the care plan
Rationale: After implementing an intervention, the nurse must reassess the patient
to evaluate its effectiveness. The nursing process is cyclical and dynamic. -4
14. Which nursing action reflects the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
A) Providing the best possible care
B) Avoiding harm to the patient
C) Respecting patient decisions
D) Distributing resources fairly
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm" — the obligation to avoid causing
harm to patients. -1
15. A patient states, "I'm in pain." This information is best documented as:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) A medical diagnosis
100-Question Practice Exam with
correct answers and rationale
graded A+
Section 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase, involving systematic collection of subjective
and objective data. All subsequent steps depend on accurate assessment data. -3
2. A patient reports feeling nauseous. This is an example of what type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Secondary data
D) Inferential data
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient verbally,
including feelings, perceptions, and symptoms that cannot be observed or measured
by others. -1
3. A nurse observes that a patient's wound is draining yellow fluid. This is an
example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Secondary data
D) Inferential data
Rationale: Objective data is measurable, observable, and verifiable information
gathered through observation or physical assessment. -1
4. After analyzing assessment data, a nurse identifies that a patient has
"Impaired Skin Integrity." This occurs during which step?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
,Rationale: Diagnosis is the step where the nurse analyzes assessment data to
identify actual or potential health problems and formulates nursing diagnoses. -4
5. A nurse sets a goal: "Patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway by end of
shift." This is part of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Rationale: Planning involves establishing priorities, setting measurable and
achievable patient-centered goals, and determining appropriate nursing
interventions. -4
6. In which order should the nursing process steps be performed?
A) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
B) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
D) Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Rationale: The correct order is ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation. -1
7. A nurse is collecting data about a patient's health status. During which phase
does this occur?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves
systematic collection of subjective and objective data. -1
8. What is the primary purpose of the evaluation phase?
A) To identify patient problems
B) To determine if patient outcomes have been met
C) To implement nursing interventions
D) To collect patient data
Rationale: Evaluation involves reassessing the patient to determine if goals have
been met, partially met, or not met, and modifying the care plan accordingly. -3
9. A nurse reassesses a patient and finds the goal of "pain less than 3/10" has
not been met. The nurse should:
A) Discontinue the goal
B) Re-evaluate the plan and modify interventions
C) Document the goal as met
D) Ignore the unmet goal
Rationale: When goals are not met, the nurse should re-evaluate the plan, identify
barriers, and modify interventions as needed. -1
, 10. Which statement best describes critical thinking in nursing?
A) Following physician orders without question
B) Using standardized care plans for all patients
C) Applying logic, reasoning, and clinical judgment to make decisions
D) Memorizing facts and procedures
Rationale: Critical thinking involves applying logic, reasoning, and clinical judgment
to make evidence-based decisions about patient care. -3
11. After administering pain medication, the nurse asks the patient to rate their
pain on a scale of 0–10. This is an example of:
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation is the final step where the nurse determines whether the
patient's goals have been met. Reassessing after an intervention determines
effectiveness. -4
12. What does the "I" in the ADPIE framework stand for?
A) Inspection
B) Intervention
C) Implementation
D) Investigation
Rationale: The "I" stands for Implementation, which is the action phase where the
nurse carries out the prescribed nursing care. -6
13. A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88%. The nurse increases the oxygen
flow rate. Which step comes immediately after this intervention?
A) Reassess the patient
B) Document the intervention
C) Notify the provider
D) Update the care plan
Rationale: After implementing an intervention, the nurse must reassess the patient
to evaluate its effectiveness. The nursing process is cyclical and dynamic. -4
14. Which nursing action reflects the ethical principle of nonmaleficence?
A) Providing the best possible care
B) Avoiding harm to the patient
C) Respecting patient decisions
D) Distributing resources fairly
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm" — the obligation to avoid causing
harm to patients. -1
15. A patient states, "I'm in pain." This information is best documented as:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) A medical diagnosis
