,NR 226 Fundamentals – Patient Care Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Chamberlain College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse admits a patient to the medical-surgical unit and collects data about the patient's health history,
current symptoms, and physical assessment findings. Which phase of the nursing process is the nurse
implementing?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data to establish a baseline database. Diagnosis, planning, and evaluation all occur
after assessment is complete.
2. A patient states, "My stomach hurts and I feel nauseated." The nurse documents this information. What
type of data has the nurse collected?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Diagnostic data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
,Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health problems, feelings, and
perceptions—information that cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
3. The nurse observes that a patient's surgical incision has redness, swelling, and a small amount of purulent
drainage. What type of data has the nurse collected?
A. Subjective data
B. Primary data
C. Objective data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: C. Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are observable, measurable findings obtained through inspection, palpation,
percussion, or auscultation. Redness, swelling, and drainage are directly observed.
4. In the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), which cognitive skill aligns most closely with the
nursing process phase of Assessment?
A. Recognize cues
B. Analyze cues
C. Generate solutions
D. Take action
Correct Answer: A. Recognize cues
, Rationale: Recognizing cues involves identifying relevant information from the patient's story and physical
assessment, which corresponds to the Assessment phase of the nursing process.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient's blood glucose log, dietary history, and medication list to identify patterns.
Which step of the clinical judgment model is the nurse performing?
A. Recognize cues
B. Analyze cues
C. Prioritize hypotheses
D. Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Analyze cues
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves interpreting and linking collected cues to recognize patterns and
relationships that inform clinical decisions.
6. The nurse clusters assessment data to identify a patient's actual or potential health problems. Which phase
of the nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: B. Diagnosis
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Chamberlain College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse admits a patient to the medical-surgical unit and collects data about the patient's health history,
current symptoms, and physical assessment findings. Which phase of the nursing process is the nurse
implementing?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves the systematic collection of
subjective and objective data to establish a baseline database. Diagnosis, planning, and evaluation all occur
after assessment is complete.
2. A patient states, "My stomach hurts and I feel nauseated." The nurse documents this information. What
type of data has the nurse collected?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Diagnostic data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
,Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health problems, feelings, and
perceptions—information that cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
3. The nurse observes that a patient's surgical incision has redness, swelling, and a small amount of purulent
drainage. What type of data has the nurse collected?
A. Subjective data
B. Primary data
C. Objective data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: C. Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are observable, measurable findings obtained through inspection, palpation,
percussion, or auscultation. Redness, swelling, and drainage are directly observed.
4. In the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), which cognitive skill aligns most closely with the
nursing process phase of Assessment?
A. Recognize cues
B. Analyze cues
C. Generate solutions
D. Take action
Correct Answer: A. Recognize cues
, Rationale: Recognizing cues involves identifying relevant information from the patient's story and physical
assessment, which corresponds to the Assessment phase of the nursing process.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient's blood glucose log, dietary history, and medication list to identify patterns.
Which step of the clinical judgment model is the nurse performing?
A. Recognize cues
B. Analyze cues
C. Prioritize hypotheses
D. Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Analyze cues
Rationale: Analyzing cues involves interpreting and linking collected cues to recognize patterns and
relationships that inform clinical decisions.
6. The nurse clusters assessment data to identify a patient's actual or potential health problems. Which phase
of the nursing process is this?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: B. Diagnosis
