COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAMINATION:
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS COMPLETE
APPROVED EXAM WITH PREMIUM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES| CURRENTLY UPDATED 2026-
2027 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS AND CRITICAL THINKING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing shortness of
breath. The nurse elevates the head of the bed and administers
oxygen as prescribed. This action is part of which step of the nursing
process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D. Implementation
Rationale: Implementation is the step of the nursing process where
the nurse puts the care plan into action. Elevating the head of the bed
,and administering oxygen are direct nursing interventions.
Assessment (A) involves data collection, Diagnosis (B) is the clinical
judgment about the patient's response, and Planning (C) is the
development of the care plan itself.
2. A nurse is collecting data from a newly admitted patient. Which of
the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 142/88 mm Hg
B. The patient's complaint of a "sharp, stabbing pain" in their abdomen
C. A temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
D. Observing a red, swollen incision site
Correct Answer: B. The patient's complaint of a "sharp, stabbing pain"
in their abdomen
Rationale: Subjective data are information perceived only by the
affected person, such as feelings, perceptions, and sensations. The
patient's description of their pain is subjective data. Objective data (A,
C, D) are observable and measurable by the nurse.
3. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the "Planning"
phase of the nursing process?
A. To establish a database of the patient's health status
B. To identify the patient's actual and potential health problems
C. To prioritize patient problems and develop measurable goals and
,outcomes
D. To evaluate the patient's progress toward goal achievement
Correct Answer: C. To prioritize patient problems and develop
measurable goals and outcomes
Rationale: The Planning phase involves setting priorities, establishing
patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and selecting
evidence-based nursing interventions. Assessment (A) is data
collection, Diagnosis (B) is identifying the problems, and Evaluation
(D) is determining if the goals were met.
4. A nurse is evaluating a patient's progress toward a goal of "The
patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway without assistance by
discharge." The patient is currently able to ambulate 20 feet with a
walker. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Goal met.
B. Goal not met.
C. Goal partially met.
D. Goal unrealistic.
Correct Answer: C. Goal partially met.
Rationale: The patient has made progress toward the goal but has not
fully achieved it. The goal is specific and measurable, and the patient's
current status indicates partial achievement. "Goal not met" (B)
, would imply no progress, while "Goal met" (A) is incorrect. The goal
may be realistic (D), but it hasn't been fully achieved at this time.
5. A nurse is using critical thinking to make a clinical decision. Which
of the following is a key component of critical thinking in nursing?
A. Relying on intuition for all decisions
B. Strictly following hospital policy without question
C. Systematically analyzing information to make informed judgments
D. Accepting the first solution that comes to mind
Correct Answer: C. Systematically analyzing information to make
informed judgments
Rationale: Critical thinking in nursing involves a deliberate, systematic
process of gathering and analyzing data, considering alternatives, and
making reasoned judgments. It is not based solely on intuition (A), nor
does it involve blindly following rules (B) or jumping to conclusions
(D).
6. A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I'm going to throw up." The
nurse notices the patient is pale and diaphoretic. The nurse identifies
a nursing diagnosis of Nausea. This is an example of which step of the
nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS COMPLETE
APPROVED EXAM WITH PREMIUM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES| CURRENTLY UPDATED 2026-
2027 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS AND CRITICAL THINKING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing shortness of
breath. The nurse elevates the head of the bed and administers
oxygen as prescribed. This action is part of which step of the nursing
process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D. Implementation
Rationale: Implementation is the step of the nursing process where
the nurse puts the care plan into action. Elevating the head of the bed
,and administering oxygen are direct nursing interventions.
Assessment (A) involves data collection, Diagnosis (B) is the clinical
judgment about the patient's response, and Planning (C) is the
development of the care plan itself.
2. A nurse is collecting data from a newly admitted patient. Which of
the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 142/88 mm Hg
B. The patient's complaint of a "sharp, stabbing pain" in their abdomen
C. A temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
D. Observing a red, swollen incision site
Correct Answer: B. The patient's complaint of a "sharp, stabbing pain"
in their abdomen
Rationale: Subjective data are information perceived only by the
affected person, such as feelings, perceptions, and sensations. The
patient's description of their pain is subjective data. Objective data (A,
C, D) are observable and measurable by the nurse.
3. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the "Planning"
phase of the nursing process?
A. To establish a database of the patient's health status
B. To identify the patient's actual and potential health problems
C. To prioritize patient problems and develop measurable goals and
,outcomes
D. To evaluate the patient's progress toward goal achievement
Correct Answer: C. To prioritize patient problems and develop
measurable goals and outcomes
Rationale: The Planning phase involves setting priorities, establishing
patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and selecting
evidence-based nursing interventions. Assessment (A) is data
collection, Diagnosis (B) is identifying the problems, and Evaluation
(D) is determining if the goals were met.
4. A nurse is evaluating a patient's progress toward a goal of "The
patient will ambulate 50 feet in the hallway without assistance by
discharge." The patient is currently able to ambulate 20 feet with a
walker. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Goal met.
B. Goal not met.
C. Goal partially met.
D. Goal unrealistic.
Correct Answer: C. Goal partially met.
Rationale: The patient has made progress toward the goal but has not
fully achieved it. The goal is specific and measurable, and the patient's
current status indicates partial achievement. "Goal not met" (B)
, would imply no progress, while "Goal met" (A) is incorrect. The goal
may be realistic (D), but it hasn't been fully achieved at this time.
5. A nurse is using critical thinking to make a clinical decision. Which
of the following is a key component of critical thinking in nursing?
A. Relying on intuition for all decisions
B. Strictly following hospital policy without question
C. Systematically analyzing information to make informed judgments
D. Accepting the first solution that comes to mind
Correct Answer: C. Systematically analyzing information to make
informed judgments
Rationale: Critical thinking in nursing involves a deliberate, systematic
process of gathering and analyzing data, considering alternatives, and
making reasoned judgments. It is not based solely on intuition (A), nor
does it involve blindly following rules (B) or jumping to conclusions
(D).
6. A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I'm going to throw up." The
nurse notices the patient is pale and diaphoretic. The nurse identifies
a nursing diagnosis of Nausea. This is an example of which step of the
nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
