NSG 300 Exam 3 | Foundations of
Nursing | GCU 2026/2027 Q&A 150
Original Practice Questions with Correct
Answers & Rationales
SECTION I — CLINICAL ASSESSMENT & NURSING
JUDGMENT
Questions 1–25
1.
A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the
nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient with new-onset stridor
C. Patient reporting chronic knee pain
D. Patient waiting for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B. Patient with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor can indicate upper-airway obstruction and
therefore presents an immediate airway threat. Airway problems
take priority over nonurgent needs.
,2.
Which finding is subjective?
A. Temperature of 38.4°C
B. Oxygen saturation of 89%
C. Patient reports “I feel dizzy.”
D. Respiratory rate of 26/min
Correct Answer: C. Patient reports “I feel dizzy.”
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the
patient. Vital signs are objective, measurable findings.
3.
Which finding is objective?
A. “My chest feels tight.”
B. “I feel weak.”
C. Heart rate of 118/min
D. “I am nauseated.”
Correct Answer: C. Heart rate of 118/min
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings
obtained through assessment, monitoring, or diagnostic testing.
,4.
A nurse identifies several abnormal findings and groups them based
on possible relationships. This is an example of:
A. Cue analysis
B. Discharge planning
C. Delegation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: A. Cue analysis
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves organizing and interpreting
assessment information to identify patterns and clinically
significant problems.
5.
Which patient finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Oxygen saturation of 84% with dyspnea
C. Pain rated 3/10 after analgesia
D. Temperature of 37.1°C
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 84% with dyspnea
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia accompanied by respiratory
distress requires prompt assessment and intervention.
6.
Which nursing diagnosis is correctly written?
, A. Pneumonia related to infection
B. Acute pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by pain 7/10
C. Diabetes related to obesity
D. Hypertension related to stress
Correct Answer: B. Acute pain related to surgical incision as
evidenced by pain 7/10
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis identifies a human response and
includes relevant supporting information rather than simply
restating a medical diagnosis.
7.
Which outcome is most measurable?
A. Patient will feel better.
B. Patient will improve mobility.
C. Patient will ambulate 100 feet with a walker by 1400.
D. Patient will understand the importance of walking.
Correct Answer: C. Patient will ambulate 100 feet with a walker
by 1400.
Rationale: A measurable outcome contains a specific observable
behavior and a time frame.
8.
A patient does not meet the expected goal after an intervention. What
is the nurse's best next action?
Nursing | GCU 2026/2027 Q&A 150
Original Practice Questions with Correct
Answers & Rationales
SECTION I — CLINICAL ASSESSMENT & NURSING
JUDGMENT
Questions 1–25
1.
A nurse receives report on four patients. Which patient should the
nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient with new-onset stridor
C. Patient reporting chronic knee pain
D. Patient waiting for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B. Patient with new-onset stridor
Rationale: Stridor can indicate upper-airway obstruction and
therefore presents an immediate airway threat. Airway problems
take priority over nonurgent needs.
,2.
Which finding is subjective?
A. Temperature of 38.4°C
B. Oxygen saturation of 89%
C. Patient reports “I feel dizzy.”
D. Respiratory rate of 26/min
Correct Answer: C. Patient reports “I feel dizzy.”
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the
patient. Vital signs are objective, measurable findings.
3.
Which finding is objective?
A. “My chest feels tight.”
B. “I feel weak.”
C. Heart rate of 118/min
D. “I am nauseated.”
Correct Answer: C. Heart rate of 118/min
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings
obtained through assessment, monitoring, or diagnostic testing.
,4.
A nurse identifies several abnormal findings and groups them based
on possible relationships. This is an example of:
A. Cue analysis
B. Discharge planning
C. Delegation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: A. Cue analysis
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves organizing and interpreting
assessment information to identify patterns and clinically
significant problems.
5.
Which patient finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Oxygen saturation of 84% with dyspnea
C. Pain rated 3/10 after analgesia
D. Temperature of 37.1°C
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 84% with dyspnea
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia accompanied by respiratory
distress requires prompt assessment and intervention.
6.
Which nursing diagnosis is correctly written?
, A. Pneumonia related to infection
B. Acute pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by pain 7/10
C. Diabetes related to obesity
D. Hypertension related to stress
Correct Answer: B. Acute pain related to surgical incision as
evidenced by pain 7/10
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis identifies a human response and
includes relevant supporting information rather than simply
restating a medical diagnosis.
7.
Which outcome is most measurable?
A. Patient will feel better.
B. Patient will improve mobility.
C. Patient will ambulate 100 feet with a walker by 1400.
D. Patient will understand the importance of walking.
Correct Answer: C. Patient will ambulate 100 feet with a walker
by 1400.
Rationale: A measurable outcome contains a specific observable
behavior and a time frame.
8.
A patient does not meet the expected goal after an intervention. What
is the nurse's best next action?
