,D442 Basic Nursing Skills Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Western Governors University
2025/2026
1. A nurse measures a patient's blood pressure and finds it elevated. The nurse compares this finding to the
normal range. This action occurs in which phase of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing assessment data to expected outcomes or norms. Assessment (A) is
data collection. Diagnosis (B) identifies the problem. Planning (C) sets goals.
2. A nurse notices that a patient's wound is not healing as expected and decides to reassess the wound care
protocol. This is an example of:
A. Critical thinking
B. Task-oriented care
C. Delegation
D. Time management
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Critical thinking involves analyzing a situation, recognizing a problem, and modifying interventions
based on evidence and patient response.
3. A nurse formulates the following statement: "Impaired skin integrity related to decreased mobility as
evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the sacrum." This is an example of:
A. Medical diagnosis
B. Nursing diagnosis
C. Collaborative problem
D. Expected outcome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing diagnosis describes a patient response to a health condition that nurses can treat
independently. Medical diagnosis (A) identifies a disease.
4. During which phase of the nursing process does the nurse prioritize patient problems?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: In the planning phase, the nurse sets priorities, establishes goals, and selects interventions based on
the nursing diagnoses.
5. A nurse administers pain medication 30 minutes before a planned dressing change. This demonstrates:
A. Evaluation
B. Anticipatory nursing intervention
C. Delegation
D. Triage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticipatory intervention means acting before a problem occurs (pain during procedure). This is
proactive, not reactive.
6. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action represents the "Assessment" phase?
A. Administering pain medication
B. Asking the patient about their pain level
C. Setting a goal for pain reduction
D. Documenting that pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting data. Asking about pain level is data collection. Administering
medication is implementation. Setting goals is planning. Documenting effectiveness is evaluation.
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Western Governors University
2025/2026
1. A nurse measures a patient's blood pressure and finds it elevated. The nurse compares this finding to the
normal range. This action occurs in which phase of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing assessment data to expected outcomes or norms. Assessment (A) is
data collection. Diagnosis (B) identifies the problem. Planning (C) sets goals.
2. A nurse notices that a patient's wound is not healing as expected and decides to reassess the wound care
protocol. This is an example of:
A. Critical thinking
B. Task-oriented care
C. Delegation
D. Time management
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Critical thinking involves analyzing a situation, recognizing a problem, and modifying interventions
based on evidence and patient response.
3. A nurse formulates the following statement: "Impaired skin integrity related to decreased mobility as
evidenced by stage 2 pressure ulcer on the sacrum." This is an example of:
A. Medical diagnosis
B. Nursing diagnosis
C. Collaborative problem
D. Expected outcome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing diagnosis describes a patient response to a health condition that nurses can treat
independently. Medical diagnosis (A) identifies a disease.
4. During which phase of the nursing process does the nurse prioritize patient problems?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: In the planning phase, the nurse sets priorities, establishes goals, and selects interventions based on
the nursing diagnoses.
5. A nurse administers pain medication 30 minutes before a planned dressing change. This demonstrates:
A. Evaluation
B. Anticipatory nursing intervention
C. Delegation
D. Triage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticipatory intervention means acting before a problem occurs (pain during procedure). This is
proactive, not reactive.
6. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action represents the "Assessment" phase?
A. Administering pain medication
B. Asking the patient about their pain level
C. Setting a goal for pain reduction
D. Documenting that pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting data. Asking about pain level is data collection. Administering
medication is implementation. Setting goals is planning. Documenting effectiveness is evaluation.
